The Brighter Futures program in New South Wales - interim findings
Kathy Tannous, Fiona Hilferty and Megan Griffiths
Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW
Contact Email:   k.tannousunsw.edu.au

This paper presents interim findings from a longitudinal evaluation of the NSW Department of Community Services’ (DoCS) Brighter Futures program. This evaluation is currently being conducted by a team of researchers at SPRC to examine the effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs and improving the lives of participant children and their families. As an early intervention program, the overall aim of Brighter Futures is to prevent the escalation of serious family problems that may impact upon a parent’s ability to care for children, and may lead to a progression of the family through the Child Protection System. Brighter Futures is a voluntary program, with families generally being offered services following a risk of harm report to DoCS in which the children have been assessed as being at low to medium risk of harm. This presentation will provide interim findings from a state-wide survey designed to measure client families’ progress whilst on the program; interviews conducted with client families; and analysis of client family data including risk-of-harm reports. The presentation will include a discussion of the challenges involved in this evaluation.

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