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

2 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

3 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

Accommodation services 4 4

5 Building strong partnerships Various stakeholders: Australian Commonwealth State and Territory departments NGOs (homeless service providers) Homelessness peak bodies Private sector suppliers and consultants

6 Partnership 1 AIHW 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

7 Partnership 2 AIHW 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

8 Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP) AIHW developed business and functionality specifications in consultation SHIP requirements 1.data collection tool for monthly homelessness collection 2.client need assessment, case management, monitoring client outcomes, real-time reports

Accommodation services 9 9

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) 10 SHS Clients by age and sex, 2012 ‒ 13

11 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)

12 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

13 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