Centre for Human Services Research and Evaluation

Vision and research themes 2013

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Vision for the Centre

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Focused research themes for DHS

• The six research themes for DHS bring improved focus and rigour to the department’s evidence activities.

• The themes highlight the evidence priorities of the department.

• The themes are an overarching framework that will align evidence activities to the DHS Strategic Directions.

• Under each theme, four high level questions have been developed to guide existing and new evidence initiatives for DHS.

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CHSRE six research themes

Build an evidence base to support human

services reform and improved

client outcomes.

human services

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• What are the main contributors to social and economic disadvantage in Victoria?

• What are the barriers to reducing disadvantage?

• What levers can be used to address disadvantage at local, state and national levels?

• How can human services policy by the department directly alleviate disadvantage in Victoria, across the State's diverse cultural, regional and local contexts?

1. Lead a detailed understanding of social and economic disadvantage in Victoria

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• What are the emerging socio-economic trends that will affect short, medium and long term demand on human services?

• How will these trends drive change in DHS service delivery models, programs and our ability to respond to demand in the next 3, 10 and 20 years?

• What particular population groups require these services and how might their needs change?

• What are the best ways to forecast expected demands spatially?

2. Develop best practice demand and forecasting models for Victorians requiring DHS services

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• What does the best research tell us about how to design policy interventions for joined up human services that aim to reduce disadvantage?

• Which jurisdictions both nationally and internationally are leading models?

• What do we need to know to become a policy leader?

• What is current best practice policy in joined up disability, housing and community programs?

3. Drive cutting edge research to inform best practice in human services policy development

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• How do we design services and programs that effectively support Victorians to build better lives and achieve their potential?

• How do we re-engineer service delivery to better meet people's needs?

• How can we transform the way people access, interact with, and exit our services?

• What can we do to drive service delivery efficiency and effectiveness for government?

4. Direct critical research to inform best practice in human services delivery

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• Has a policy, program or project met its outcomes and goals?

• What has worked and what hasn't worked in the way we expected?

• What does this tell us about what we should keep doing, change or stop doing?

• What is the consequence of evaluations of existing programs on policy and service delivery?

5. Design, undertake and commission evaluations to improve DHS services

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• What are the success factors that can help people build their potential?

• How do we re-engineer service delivery to better meet people's needs?

• What are the policy, program and service gaps that limit the department's capacity to meet its strategic objectives?

• What are the cost savings for government that can be realised through new approaches?

6. Build an evidence base to support human services reforms and improved client outcomes

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Contact us at chsre@dhs.vic.gov.aufor more information.