ABORIGINAL FAMILY PLANNING CIRCLE FOLLOW-UP EVALUATION – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – JULY 2017

Upon consultation, WESTIR Limited agreed to undertake a follow-up evaluation of the Aboriginal Family Planning Circle (AFPC) in 2017. The Circle’s activities were initially evaluated by WESTIR Limited in 2015, with the final evaluation provided in January 2016. The AFPC program aims to assist local Aboriginal individuals and families in addressing their complex service needs and reduce the risk of having their children assumed into out-of- home care.

In carrying out the research, researchers from WESTIR Limited were assisted by a number of people:

• The Aboriginal Family Worker Support Group, active in the Blacktown/Mount Druitt area since 2006 and who were key in co-designing the Aboriginal Family Planning Circle with many other Aboriginal workers and community members.
• Aboriginal Intensive Family Based Services (AIFBS) staff at Rooty Hill, particularly Cheryl Jackson (Manager Casework), Jackie Stewart (AFPC Project Officer) and Ashleigh Webster (Administration Support).
• The clients (current and former) and service providers who took the time to participate in the follow-up interview process.WESTIR Limited is making the executive summary of the Follow-Up Evaluation Report available online, however the full report will not be released publicly, except by special request. Individuals and organisations interested in reading the full report are advised to contact Waru Mudyin AIFBS at Rooty Hill on (02) 8887 7531.