Priority Vulnerable Populations

Their Futures Matter (TFM) is a landmark reform of the New South Wales (NSW) government established in response to the 2015 Tune report, which found crisis driven action, siloed services, and lack of integrated data were not improving children's wellbeing, despite growing government expenditures. The goal of TFM is to create a statewide service system that delivers coordinated, wrap-around and evidence-based supports to children and their families to transform social outcomes. This will be informed by a 'social investment approach' to bring data and information to bear on resource allocation. The approach is to use modelling to predict who is in need and where they are likely to go (demand); design holistic programs and targeted services (need) and make a case to Treasury about resource allocation. The NSW social investment approach is similar to the New Zealand model, which is characterised by a target population defined by vulnerability, goals to improve outcomes while reducing long-term fiscal liability, analytical tools that draw on big data and data analytics, and establishment of political and administrative leadership to steward and implement reforms. This report provides a synthesis of current and relevant evidence on risk indicators associated with these vulnerable groups and interventions with the strongest evidence for improving the outcomes and life trajectories of these priority groups. Based on available information, NSW services provided for the priority vulnerable populations are identified and recommendations are made regarding best practices and addressing service gaps.