Recharge ConferenceRydges World Square6-7 August 2015

Rethinking Reform

David MacKenzie (Swinburne Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University)

Rethinking Reform

YAA 2007

In the late 1970s and early 1980s ‘youth homelessness’ became a public issue.

319 Witnesses gave evidence

21 days of hearings in all states/territories

91 written submissions

Seven government departments appeared before NYC

Six policy workshops

Many informal private discussions with government officials and ministers

Proposition 1: The community sector

needs to rediscover reform!

Recognise youth homelessness as part of a wicked problem

Complex not simple

Multiple causes

Resists solution

The job services system does not serve young people well

Many young people face difficulty in achieving a career path

Youth unemployment rising – 20% in

many areas

63% of people who experience homelessness

are early school leavers

Youth homelessness a continuing social issue

Drug and justice issues

Bipartisan funding agenda for overcoming disadvantage has broken down

Support systems are siloed, crisis oriented and fragmented

Proposition 2:

Think in terms of systems!

A systems model – for vulnerable youth (causal loop diagram)

• Not an AGENCY focus;

• Not a PROGRAM focus;

• Not a SINGLE SECTOR focus;

• But a COMMUNITY focus!!!

Waiting for Early Intervention!

Proposition 3:

TURN OFF THE TAP!

Rethinking & Reframing

• How we frame problems shapes the policies and programs developed in response – complex wicked problems need sophisticated systemic reform solutions.

• The homelessness response has tended to focus on ‘chronic’ homelessness – reframe on ‘early intervention’.

• A place-based early intervention system reform deals with whatever incipient youth issue are manifest, rather than relying on person-based responses.

Common Agenda All participants have a shared vision for change, a common understanding of the problem(s), and joint approach through agreed actions and interventions

Shared Measurement A consistent collection of data and measurement of results across all participants and activities – aligned effort and inter-accountability

Mutually Reinforcing Activities

Differentiated activities but coordinated and collaborative through a mutually agreed plan(s) and reinforcing action(s)

Continuous Communication Consistent, open communication to build trust, keep a focus on mutual objectives and to maintain a common motivation and long-term commitment

Backbone Support Creating and managing ‘collective impact’ requires real work and skilled staff to support and coordinate the activities of participating organisations

Australian Index of Adolescent Development

AIAD/ e-Wellbeing

A ‘Community of Schools & Youth Services’ Model of Early intervention

Collective Impact

Local System Reform

• A whole of community ‘placed-based’ cohort model;

• A strategic collaboration between the Departments of Education and Community Services especially child protection & youth homelessness services;

• New collaborative structures and process involving local schools and youth services.

Proposition 4: A place-based community

focused approach – a collective impact model

TGP Model Elements

• POPULATION SCREENING – standard AIAD but profile of need may vary from community to community;

• FLEXIBLE PRACTICE FRAMEWORK – common framework but efficacy will depend on local capacity and competence;

• COLLABORATIVE STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES – local adaptation;

• OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT – standard measures.

Early Intervention

Prevention

Youth housing

Intensive Support

Intensive Supported Accommodation

Current Service System

Early Intervention

Prevention

Youth housing

Intensive Support

Intensive Supported Accommodation

Future Service System

Rethinking Reform