Statement of Intent 2006 - Measuring for Success

Child, Youth and Family is developing a set of cost effectiveness measures for our services. We are also continuing to develop a set of outcome indicators to help us measure the contribution of our outputs towards achieving Child, Youth and Family’s outcomes.

This section outlines the progress we have made in developing our cost effectiveness and outcomes measures. The outcomes measures were first outlined in our Statement of Intent for 2005/2006. In 2006/2007, sooner than for most measures, we expect to have our outcome measures confirmed and positioned to report against them.

Working towards Cost Effectiveness Measures

During 2005, an analysis of its baseline was commenced for the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. The work undertaken focused on costing outputs of Child, Youth and Family’s main activities for the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 financial years. This included analysis of service demand trends, and economy and efficiency of site service delivery.

During the next year, we will continue to progress this work by developing our cost effectiveness measures. This includes identifying measures to link economy, efficiency and effectiveness; collecting data to support these measures; and gathering information on effectiveness. This work will enable Child, Youth and Family to ‘manage for outcomes’ using a hard evidence base of our economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Linking Outcomes to Outcome Measures

In order to determine how effective Child, Youth and Family’s Care and Protection and Youth Justice services have been in contributing towards the achievement of our outcomes, we are continuing to develop a set of outcome indicators. Some of these were proposed and published in our Statement of Intent for 2005/2006.

Our review of these indicators has considered whether they best reflect progress towards Child, Youth and Family’s outcomes. As part of this process, some indicators have been confirmed (final), some are new (proposed) and others are being sought. We expect to have our proposed outcome indicators confirmed by October 2006.

Outcome Indicators

FREE FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT	FINAL OUTCOME INDICATOR	PROPOSED OUTCOME INDICATOR
To prevent the recurrence of child abuse, neglect and insecurity of care	Re-substantiation of abuse, neglect or insecurity of care.
That the effects of harm are addressed		An appropriate indicator is being investigated. Our review of last year’s indicator “FGC plans/FWAs/Court Orders completed and objectives met” has found that while we capture data on this indicator, it does not appropriately measure progress towards this outcome. An appropriate indicator is being investigated.
To prevent the first occurrence of abuse, neglect or insecurity of care		Our review of last year’s indicator “Percentage of cases that are referred to a third party organisation (prior to investigation) that are not re-notified” has found that while we capture this data, the indicator itself does not appropriately measure progress towards this outcome.
To restore or improve wellbeing (including achieving permanency and stability)		Improvement in developmental milestones (including for children in care) along educational attainment, behaviour and health dimensions.
		Proportion (%) of children in care placed with their family or whanau. Proportion (%) of cases in which the objectives of permanency plans are met.

Outcome Indicators

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE FREE FROM OFFENDING	FINAL OUTCOME INDICATOR	PROPOSED OUTCOME INDICATOR
To reduce the rate and severity of child and youth offending	Rate of offending Rate of re-offending Severity of re-offending
To hold young people to account for offending		Victim perception of whether the offender has been held to account for their offending following the Family Group Conference (FGC) Offender perception of whether they have been held to account for their offending following the FGC
To restore or improve wellbeing		An appropriate indicator is being investigated. Our review of last year’s proposed indicator “The objectives of the Youth Justice FGC or Court Order have been met” has found that this indicator does not appropriately measure progress towards this outcome.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE FREE FROM OFFENDING

FINAL OUTCOME INDICATOR

PROPOSED OUTCOME INDICATOR

To reduce the rate and severity of child and youth offending

Rate of offending
Rate of re-offending
Severity of re-offending

To hold young people to account for offending

Victim perception of whether the offender has been held to account for their offending following the Family Group Conference (FGC)

Offender perception of whether they have been held to account for their offending following the FGC

To restore or improve wellbeing

An appropriate indicator is being investigated.

Our review of last year’s proposed indicator “The objectives of the Youth Justice FGC or Court Order have been met” has found that this indicator does not appropriately measure progress towards this outcome.