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Evaluating BFC services

Introduction

MSD is committed to evaluation of the BFC sector, testing the effectiveness of the services for all people, families and whānau, and supporting the continuous improvement of BFC services. This is being achieved through monitoring of client outcomes, Provider feedback dashboards, and specific reviews and evaluations as required.

We ask BFC Providers to cooperate with, and participate in, any evaluation of BFC services that is undertaken by the Ministry (or by a third party appointed by the Ministry) to facilitate such evaluation/s.

Scope of evaluations

The scope of any evaluation will include the targeting of services to groups wanting to improve their financial wellbeing; understanding the client experience of service delivery; testing specific BFC initiatives' contribution to the overall BFC system; the results achieved for clients, particularly Māori and Pacific clients; and how effectiveness can be influenced by community and environmental contexts.

Clients will be respected, and their information valued and protected.

Provider feedback reports

Providers who opt in to reporting using Client Voices receive feedback reports so they can:

  • learn from their own quarterly report what difference they are making to their client’s lives by knowing who is being reached/not reached by each service and the results being achieved
  • continuously improve their services based on the feedback.

Previous BFC evaluations

BFC Community Case Studies Summary of Findings (Feb 2019)

We asked Malatest International to look at how various BFC initiatives were working ‘on the ground’. This short summary report (A3 pdf) draws on interviews with 95 people in Kawerau and Opotiki, Porirua and Central Otago (excluding Wanaka and Queenstown).

Key findings included:

  • BFC is working - building clients’ financial capability and resilience is a more effective approach than budget advice alone.
  • Communities are at different stages of ‘bedding in’ BFC
  • Work and Income offices are a key point of connection between BFC providers and their clients
  • Access to kaupapa Maori providers and culturally appropriate staff is essential
  • There isn’t a universal approach to delivering BFC services – BFC providers focus on delivering tailored support their clients need.
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