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Meeting national information needs on homelessness: Partnerships in developing, collecting and reporting homelessness services statistics Geoff Neideck Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. IAOS 2014. Background. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
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Meeting national information needs on homelessness: Partnerships in developing, collecting and reporting homelessness services statisticsGeoff NeideckAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare IAOS 2014
Background • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare • National housing and homelessness reforms • National Affordable Housing Agreement • National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness • Improved evidence base and performance measures • Transition from SAAP NDC to Specialist Homelessness Services Collection
The Challenge • Develop new homelessness services NMDS • Client-based data • Needs > services > outcomes model • Develop national performance indicators • Develop new client management system • Very tight timetable from October 2010 • SHSC to commence 1 July 2011 • Sector consultations, system rollout , training
Building strong partnerships Various stakeholders: • Australian Commonwealth • State and Territory departments • NGOs (homeless service providers) • Homelessness peak bodies • Private sector suppliers and consultants
Partnership 1AIHW and governments State and Territory arrangements: • AIHW undertaking data collection directly from service providers • Superior quality data – consistent data collection and validation • Economies achieved through centralised processing
Partnership 2AIHW and private sector Information systems provider: • State/territory governments supported client management system (CMS) • AIHW engaged to supply CMS • Company focus on social justice to strengthen community organisations through information technology
Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP) • AIHW developed business and functionality specifications in consultation • SHIP requirements • data collection tool for monthly homelessness collection • client need assessment, case management, monitoring client outcomes, real-time reports
SHSC – improved evidence base • 59% female, 41% male • Over half aged 18–44 (55%) • Over a quarter (27%) under 18 years • 15% aged under 10 • More females in all age groups except those aged under 10 • Similar numbers in youngest and oldest age groups (under 14 or 55 and over) SHS Clients by age and sex, 2012‒13
SHIP user satisfaction • 78% agreed SHIP is an effective way to collect SHS data. • 75% agreed they are satisfied with SHIP (15 % neutral – neither satisfied or dissatisfied)
Partnership benefits • Securing continued supply of high quality data • Development of more relevant and richer evidence base on homelessness services • Ensuring business continuity in CMS for minimal cost to NGOs
Partnership success factors • Maintaining independence of data agency in providing objective advice • Working closely with policy makers at early stages and throughout the process • Engaging private sector suppliers - drawing on expertise • Embedding data collection in data providers business processes