Evaluation of the Bringing them home and Indigenous mental health programs
1.3 Terms of reference for the evaluation
Table of contents
- Acknowledgements
- Study Team
- Glossary
- Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Methodology- 3 Overview of the four programs
- 4 Literature review
- 5 Key outcomes and achievements of the programs
- 6 Key limitations of the programs
- 7 Management and administrative issues
- 8. Workforce issues
- 9. Issues related to the four programs
- 10. Likely future demand
- 11. Conclusions and suggested future directions
- Appendix A: Stakeholders consulted
- Appendix B: Literature review
- References
The Terms of Reference for the evaluation required the consultant to:
- Assess the impact of each program on its target client group(s) in meeting the needs of Indigenous people affected by past Government policies of forced removal (including those identified in the BTH Report), and the likely future demand for the services it provides.
- Examine how effectively and efficiently each program is being delivered. As part of this, assess the extent to which the programs are being delivered in ways that are consistent with the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 2003-2013 (referred to in this report as the National Strategic Framework – Health) and the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' SEWB 2004-2009 (referred to in this report as the National Strategic Framework – SEWB). Identify any impediments that services are experiencing in delivering the programs and propose strategies for addressing these.
- Develop recommendations to inform future program objectives, directions and alignment, with a view to achieving greater synergies among the programs.
- With regard to SEWB RCs, assess their capacity to provide services to personnel who are widely dispersed within their State and/or region. Investigate and comment on whether the current locational and organisational arrangements are appropriate.
- Develop recommendations on strategies for strengthening coordination and collaboration among service providers at local and regional levels, with a view to achieving a more integrated, client-focused service for Indigenous people affected by past Government policies of forced removal. Identify strategies for engaging other stakeholders who have a role to play in meeting the needs of this group. In particular, identify other Commonwealth and State Government programs that address the needs of this target group, and provide advice on how the BTH and Indigenous Mental Health Programs should relate to these.
- Identify best practice models and possible alternative service delivery models for consideration.
- Develop recommendations to improve reporting and accountability.
In addition the consultant was required to prepare a literature review identifying current and emerging issues as well as policies and approaches to meeting the mental health and SEWB needs of Indigenous peoples who have been affected by dispossession, forced removal from families and associated grief, trauma and loss. The literature review was to inform the findings and recommendations of the consultant’s report.
The evaluation was conducted under the general guidance of a Reference Group which was established by OATSIH for this purpose. The Reference Group comprised representatives of key stakeholders and experts, most of whom were Aboriginal. In the final stage of the project, however, NACCHO (which was represented on the Reference Group) did not provide comments on the draft report.