Commissioning needs to both use and build evidence for what works; enable improved data collection, sharing and integration to inform activity, without stifling opportunities to learn through innovation and exploring alternative to achieve outcomes. Valid data being both quantitative and qualitative sources.
Data sharing
Our challenge – how we collectively gather, store, use, report and share information about the service experience
- Investment in systems and infrastructure (such as information management and sharing technology) is often a low priority for funding but has the potential to build efficiency and evidence across human services systems
- As commissioning shifts to a focus on outcomes rather than outputs, we will need to evolve the way that we gather, store, use, report and share information about the experience people have with a service and the difference that experience makes in their lives.
- We will need to work together to find new ways to manage data and information so we can better understand the impact of services.
- We need to explore how we can consolidate insights and data to develop a whole of system view that can be utilised by both government and the sector.
Our action (s)
– Audit initial commissioning cycles to 2022 to establish what insights and data has been gathered, where it is stored, its future use and if it is able to be shared.
– Seek advice from areas of the ACT Government with responsibility for data governance and transparency to determine best practice approach to storage, use, reporting, release and sharing.
– Pilot systems such as AMPLIFY (a digital system that allows the social sector to measure impact and track progress) that help smaller providers select pre-determined outcomes and indicators from verified frameworks (i.e. ACT Wellbeing Framework) and align reporting and impact across the sector.
– If applicable, consider solutions that would enable data sharing, increase efficiency, and develop a whole of system view for the benefit of government and non-government organisations.
– Seek investment for outcomes reporting that supports non-government organisations to enhance measurement and data collection.
Contributes to reform outcome(s)
– Improve integration across the service systems to support seamless and holistic care and transitions between services
Collaborative outcomes reporting
Challenge – growing our capability and capacity for collaborative outcomes reporting
- Collaborative outcomes reporting is a participatory approach to impact evaluation, where evidence is presented of how a service has contributed to outcomes and impacts. This is then reviewed by technical experts, partners and sometimes people with lived experience.
- This approach is distinct from previous reporting approaches that tended to address activities, indicators, and outputs rather than outcomes.
- Some non-government organisations within the sector use outcomes reporting while others are just beginning to embrace this practice.
- Some areas of government have established outcome reporting frameworks and have experience using them, while others do not.
- The ACT Wellbeing Framework can be used as an overarching framework to align all outcomes arising from commissioning to the wellbeing domains and aspirations of the whole ACT Government and community.
Our action (s)
– Government and the sector will work together to build capability and capacity to understand, gather, report, and use information about the outcomes of services.
– Strengthening the connection between outcome reporting within sub-sectors or contracts and the ACT Wellbeing Framework.
Contributes to reform outcome(s)
– Improve equity in health and life outcomes for priority population groups, through commissioning decisions made about where and how to focus support
Page updated: 28 Feb 2024
