Learn from experience
Looking back on our experience and understanding what has worked, what hasn't worked and whether there has been any unintended consequences is vital. This involves establishing performance frameworks with appropriate indicators and measures, conducting regular reviews, and analysing performance and evaluating programs to ensure full accountability and learning. See examples of our work learning from experience under these key headings:
Performance frameworks
Analysis and review
Evaluations
Literature and policy reviews
PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORKS
Evaluation Plan for Wyndham City’s Health, Wellbeing and Community Safety Plan 2010-2013 for Wyndham City
Following development of the Plan by PDF, a performance framework was developed to evaluate the Plan as the basis for an organisation-wide shift towards greater learning and evidence-based practice in health and wellbeing.
Evaluation Plan for the City of Casey Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2009-2013 for the City of Casey
Developed an evaluation framework to support Council to measure its progress towards improving the health and wellbeing of Casey residents and to build evaluation capacity across Council departments.
Macedon Ranges Council Plan 2013-2017 for the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Victoria
This project integrated performance measurement against the clearly articulated goals, objectives, strategies considering outcomes, outputs and processes.
Wellbeing For All Ages And Abilities Action Planning Project for Bayside City Council Victoria
A key part of this project was to provide a clear line of sight and measurability from the high level strategic plan through a range of business and stakeholder plans to achieve clear understanding of what was working, what wasn’t and whether there were any unintended consequences.
Raising the bar – North and West Region Evaluation Project: Phase 1 and Phase 2 for Department of Health Victoria North and West Metropolitan Region
A project exploring evaluation frameworks which was extended to support individual local councils to tackle evaluation within their local context.
Developing Council Youth Plans – The First One or the Next One: A Local Government Guide
A resource designed to support councils to undertake youth planning and evaluation appropriate to their specific circumstances.
ANALYSIS AND REVIEW
Victorian Community Road Safety Strategy Review for VicRoads
Involved literature review of community based programs; consultation with RoadSafe Councils, the Saferoads program and other key stakeholders; analysis of their input and development of a recommended model; and implementation support.
Review of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans for the Great South Coast group of Councils
Reviewed the five Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans to understand their strengths and gaps as the basis for developing the next iteration of the plans.
Review of St Giles Therapy Services for the Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania
Conducted an independent review of current services provided by St Giles Therapy Services to establish the service and funding mix under the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Playgroup of Tasmania
Review to restructure four separate entities into a single new statewide organisation including development of a new governance model, new Constitution and organisational model.
Issues Papers on each of Respite and Supported Accommodation; Information; and Transport for Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania
Issues paper involved a literature search of contemporary policy and service delivery approaches in Australia and elsewhere and a demand analysis using available demographic and service data for consideration by the Disability Services Ministerial Advisory Council of Tasmania.
Needs Analysis for Multipurpose Centres – Tasman Peninsula and May Shaw for Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania
These two projects informed budget decisions of the Tasmanian Government and used available statistical data enhanced by stakeholder surveys.
Linkzone Review for Office of Youth Affairs Tasmania
An evaluation of an innovative internet portal developed by the Tasmanian Office of Youth Affairs under the 'Networking the Nation' Program involving an online survey and one-to-one interviews.
Rural Support Tasmania Organisational Review
Undertook a broad organisational review of Rural Support Tasmania Incorporated including reviews designed to appraise staff and check the health and wellbeing of counsellors.
Best Practice Response to the Accommodation Needs of Young Homeless Women for Anglicare Tasmania
A review involving a literature review, consultation and interviews with similar services to identify best practice for two Supported Accommodation Assistance Program shelters to reshape their services and better cater to the needs of young homeless women.
EVALUATIONS
Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Planning, Review and Evaluation Support Project Phase 2 for the Department of Health Victoria Eastern Metropolitan Region
PDF developed an evaluation toolkit in close collaboration with local government in the region and provided training and development in use of the toolkit. Seven modules were developed to simplify evaluation concepts and support practical application of evaluation to MPHWP planning and implementation.
Tasmanian Youth Consultative Committee (TYCC) Evaluation for the Youth Network of Tasmania
Examined the governance and operational structure of TYCC, involving extensive consultation with the youth sector, current and past Committee members and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Evaluation of Transitional Support Model: Children accompanying parents in supported accommodation for Housing Tasmania
Included review of current national literature, one-to-one interviews with parents, service staff, other stakeholders and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Unemployed Workers Program Evaluation for TasCOSS
A review of job creation programs in Tasmania including a written questionnaire to stakeholders and in-depth one-on-one interviews.
Placement and Support Service Evaluation for Anglicare Tasmania
Detailed the effectiveness of the service, examined the results of a recruitment campaign to attract host families and provided recommendations on future directions for the service.
Bail Option Program Evaluation for Anglicare Tasmania
Evaluated an accommodation program designed to place and support young people to stay with host families including interviews with participants, host families and other key stakeholders such as youth shelters, child protection agencies and other referral/service delivery agencies.
Evaluation of Private Rental Support Scheme for Housing Tasmania
Determined the effectiveness of services provided under the Private Rental Support Scheme including analysis of financial inputs and service data with a snapshot of service users and interviews with stakeholders.
Evaluation of Supported Residential Facilities - Effectiveness and Viability for Housing Tasmania
These two concurrent evaluations were undertaken to recommend improvements for Burnie Lodge and Indigo Lodge, and to explore potential models for similar proposed facilities; included national literature review, analysis of financial inputs and options, one-to-one interviews with tenants, and interviews with stakeholders.
Evaluation of Community Housing Services for Red Shield Housing Association
Evaluated the viability and effectiveness of a community housing model and included research of current national literature on community housing, modelling of financial inputs and options, and interviews with tenants, Departmental and Red Shield staff.
Bi-cultural Community Health Program Evaluation for Australian Red Cross
An assessment of the statewide structure and performance of a program that assisted refugees, new arrivals, migrants and overseas students to access health and information services, improve their health and wellbeing, and address cultural issues such as female genital mutilation.
LITERATURE AND POLICY REVIEWS
Victorian Community Road Safety Strategy Review for VicRoads
Involved literature review of community based programs; consultation with RoadSafe Councils, the Saferoads program and other key stakeholders; analysis of their input and development of a recommended model; and implementation support.
Review of selected council policies on smoking and nutrition for Dandenong City Council Victoria
PDF examined and assessed best practice policies across Victorian Local Governments in the areas of smoking and nutrition and to gain understanding of the processes undertaken to gain approval and support for those policies.
Partnership Model for Hobsons Bay City Council Victoria
Conducted literature review of partnership best practice and completed an extensive policy review of international, national, state and local policy relating to the social determinants of health.
Great South Coast Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Planning Support Strategy for the Great South Coast group of Councils
PDF was retained by the Great South Coast group of councils to support the strategic development of each of their MPHWPs which included a comprehensive policy review covering international, national, state, regional and local policies and strategies.
