1. Presented by KIMBERLEY FLANAGAN Director Connections Outer South Listening to outputs and outcomes means ignoring the voice of vulnerable children and youth WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2009

2. What is child abuse?

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4. Outputs: Notifications Substantiations Program evaluations What metrics are used for child welfare and are they valid?

5. Using output measures to guide interventions and inform policy

6. Outputs are driving demand management strategies which are changing the risk threshold for at risk and vulnerable children.

7. 8.2% demand greater than organisational capacity 35 out of 100 people eligible for child welfare services turned away 17.4% of unmet demand in youth services Concealing the real picture:

8. – stripping back the spin to reveal the meaning of the data. Victoria Notifications Change from previous year Substantiations in Victoria Rate of Substantiation in Victoria Change in substantiation rates from previous year NSW Notifications QLD Notifications SA Notifications 1999-0036805 735919.99% 303981905715181 2000-01369660.44%760820.58%0.59%40937220699988 2001-02379762.66%768720.24%-0.34%552082759211203 2002-0337635-0.91%728719.36%-0.88%1094983106813442 2003-0436956-1.84%741220.06%0.69%1155413502314917 2004-05375231.51%739819.72%-0.34%1336364089217473 2005-06379871.22%756319.91%0.19%1528063361215069 2006-07386751.78%682817.65%-2.25%1899282858018434 The Victorian story

9. – family support program evaluation “The Innovations program is a clear success with sustainable and strong downward impacts upon Victorian Child Protection system activity” The Victorian story

10. “how well we do it” and “is anyone better off” Outcome measures – the Holy Grail?

11. Outputs that measure and target “no child coming before the Child Protection system more than twice in his/her lifetime”. Outputs that measure and target out-of-home care - reunified children within his/her family within 12/24 months or within a stable, long term placement by this time. Outputs that measure and target for children who come before the Child Protection / Family Support system to achieve the same level of educational attainment and health outcomes as their peers. Possible new measures:

12. The voice of the child – is anyone listening?

13. Who was satisfied in Karen’s family and are they the voices that count?

14. Is anyone better off?