Evaluation of the NT MOS projects
Outcome of closed cases
Up to Closing the Gap: Northern Territory
Table of contents
Executive summary- Acronyms
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Methodology
3. Findings- 4. Analysis & recommendations
- 5. Appendices
The MOD Data Definitions Guide defines outcomes in the following ways:
- Positive change: Presenting issues, signs or symptoms of sexual trauma which prompted the referral to MOS have improved/reduced. Noticeable level of manageability by child/family. Issue may be still present but less distressing/traumatising.
- Significant positive change: Presenting issues, signs or symptoms of sexual trauma which prompted the referral to MOS have noticeably improved/reduced/no longer an issue.
- No change: Presenting issues, signs or symptoms of sexual trauma that prompted the referral to MOS have not decreased/improved or increased.
- Negative change: Noticeable escalation of issues, signs, symptoms of sexual trauma and increased levels of distress, fear, shame, alienation, silence, social withdrawal.
- Significant negative change: Considerable escalation of issues, signs, symptoms of sexual trauma and increased levels of distress. Reduction of manageability, resilience, functionality, coping, personal or social safety.
Overall, the outcomes recorded in the MOD database for closed cases were broadly positive. In 58.1% of closed cases the outcome was either 'positive change' (47.5%) or 'significant positive change' (10.6%) in the client (see Figure 29).
In the remaining 41.8% of cases the outcome was recorded as 'no change' in the client. In no cases was a 'negative change' or 'significant negative change' identified.
Some caution should be exercised in drawing comparisons between Regions due to the small sample size in Barkly (9).
Bearing in mind the sample size qualifications in Barkly and Central Australia, there was little substantial variation in the outcomes of cases between the Regions. Top End however had a slightly higher proportion of cases in which 'no change' was recorded (46.9%), compared with the average (41.8%).
Figure 30 shows the recorded outcomes of cases split by the reason for case closure. Again, several of the variables are too small to allow for meaningful analysis; however some are large enough to be considered broadly indicative.
Cases with the most positive outcomes are those in which MOS casework was concluded, with a substantial majority (86.4%) ending in positive or significant positive change. At the other end of the spectrum, cases with the least positive outcomes were those in which the service was declined or in which the case expired through lack of activity (with 90.5% and 83.3% respectively resulting in no change).
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These results suggest that there is a broad correlation between positive outcomes and the conclusion of MOS Projects casework. As discussed in this Report, the service is gaining service reach, and now needs to focus on regularity and consistency of provision.
In total there were 41 closed cases over the query period which involved male clients, just over one-third of the number of closed cases that involved female clients (100). This result is consistent with the profile of MOS Projects clients (see Figure 31).
Overall, females were somewhat more likely to have experienced positive change than males (62.0% compared with 48.8%), and in particular were almost twice as likely to have experienced significant positive change (12.0% compared with 7.3%).
Over three-quarters of closed cases over the query period involved clients aged 6 to 11 years or 12 to 15 years (79.4%) (see Figure 32). This is broadly consistent with the age profiles of MOS Plus clients as described in Figure 10.
Clients aged 6 to 11 years were as likely as those aged 12 to 15 to have experienced 'no change' (38.5% compared with 41.7%), though they were somewhat more likely to have experienced 'significant positive change' (13.3% compared with 5.8%).
While the sample sizes for clients aged 1 to 5 years or over 16 years are too small to draw meaningful conclusions, their outcomes are broadly consistent with those of the other age groups.
There is scope, through establishing stronger connections and engagement within each respective community, to identify the priority community and service needs, and to tailor the MOS service response accordingly. This would ensure a more collaborative approach with other service providers, build upon the strengths of the community-led approaches and more effectively and efficiently dedicate MOS service expertise and resources.
This also accords with recommendations of the Growing them stronger, together Report25:
- That the planning processes around the development of integrated children and family centres in remote areas specifically address the service delivery needs of vulnerable and at-risk children and families and promote collaborative practice amongst government and non-government service providers relating to these target groups
- That the NT Government seeks the co-operation of the Commonwealth in undertaking a strategic review of the child and family wellbeing services in the NT. The review should inform the development and implementation of a joint strategic plan around service planning and funding in order to overcome fragmentation, inefficiencies and duplication and to target services where they are most needed.
- The suite of service options should include intensive maternal and child support, therapeutic services for children, youth and families, substance abuse treatment, parenting skills development, intensive family preservation, targeted family support, and community development and healing (around issues such as sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, neglect, domestic violence and gambling).
Figure 29: Outcome of closed cases by region, as a per cent of closed cases
Text version of Figure 29
| Region | No change (N = 59) | Positive change (N = 67) | Significant positive change (N = 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top End (N = 64) | 46.9% | 40.6% | 12.5% |
| Katherine (N = 36) | 38.9% | 52.8% | 8.3% |
| Central Australia (N = 32) | 37.5% | 50.0% | 12.5% |
| Barkly (N = 9) | 33.3% | 66.7% | 0.0% |
| Overall (N = 141) | 41.8% | 47.5% | 10.6% |
Figure 30: Outcome of closed cases by reason for closure, as a per cent of closed cases
Text version of Figure 30
| Reason for case closure | No change (N = 59) | Positive change (N = 67) | Significant positive change (N = 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service declined (N = 21) | 90.5% | 9.5% | 0.0% |
| Expired (N = 30) | 83.3% | 16.7% | 0.0% |
| Reached 18 years (N = 2) | 50.0% | 50.0% | 0.0% |
| Other (N = 6) | 33.3% | 33.3% | 33.3% |
| Relocated (N = 23) | 17.4% | 73.9% | 8.7% |
| Casework concluded (N = 59) | 13.6% | 67.8% | 18.6% |
Figure 31: Outcome of closed cases by gender of client
Text version of Figure 31
| Gender | No change (N = 59) | Positive change (N = 67) | Significant positive change (N = 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males (N = 41) | 51.2% | 41.5% | 7.3% |
| Females (N =100) | 38.0% | 50.0% | 12.0% |
Figure 32: Outcome of closed cases by age of client
Text version of Figure 32
| Age group | No change (N = 59) | Positive change (N = 67) | Significant positive change (N = 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 years (N = 17) | 52.9% | 35.3% | 11.8% |
| 6 to 11 years (N = 60) | 41.7% | 45.0% | 13.3% |
| 12 to 15 years (N = 52) | 38.5% | 55.8% | 5.8% |
| > 16 years (N = 12) | 41.7% | 41.7% | 16.7% |
Footnotes
25 p68 & 69 Summary Report Growing them stronger, together: Promoting the Safety and Wellbeing of the Northern Territory's Children. Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory 2010