Evaluation of the Permanency Support Program

The Permanency Support Program represents a significant reform of NSW child protection and out of home care systems. It aims aim to achieve permanency for children within two years. Changes under the program began from 1 October 2017.

DCJ contracted a consortia led by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation to undertake a rigorous 3 year evaluation of the PSP. The consortia included partners from Monash University, University of Melbourne and the Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia.

The evaluation focuses on Foster Care and Family Preservation only and assessed:

1. If the intended safety, permanency and well-being outcomes have been achieved for children, young people and families, to inform future policy decisions (outcomes evaluation).
2. How the outcomes are achieved for clients (process evaluation). 
3. If it represents value for money compared to service delivery prior to PSP (economic evaluation). 

The evaluation was completed in April 2023. The Executive Summary (PDF, 35.2 MB) and Summary Presentation (PDF, 1.6 MB) outline the key findings and recommendations. Full details are available in the PSP Evaluation Report (PDF, 7.1 MB).