Integrating recovery-oriented and realistic evaluation principles into an evaluation of a Partners in Recovery programme

Partners in Recovery (PIR) was an Australian government initiative designed to provide support and service linkage for individuals with complex needs living with severe and persistent mental illness. This article reports the external evaluation process and approach that was undertaken of the Gold Coast Partners in Recovery initiative between September and December 2015 regarding the achievement of PIR outcomes. The evaluation of this consortia-based initiative was framed using principles of realistic evaluation and recovery-oriented practice. Numerous evaluations of similar initiatives have recently been undertaken, each adopting different approaches and methods in accordance with local needs and expectations. The incorporation of realistic evaluation with recovery-oriented principles in this mixed methods research design, however, offers a unique perspective. This can be used to inform future developments in evaluative practice particularly in the area of recovery-oriented services and/or partnership-focused, capacity-building initiatives.

Referral patterns and implementation costs of the Partners in Recovery initiative in Gippsland: learnings for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to provide some learnings for the NDIS from the referral pattern and cost of implementing the Partners in Recovery initiative of Gippsland. Method: Information on referral areas made for each consumer was collated from support facilitators. Cost estimates were determined using budget estimates, administrative costs and a literature review and are reported from a government perspective. Results: Sixty-three per cent of all referrals were made to organisations that provided multiple types of services. Thirty-one per cent were to Mental Health Community Support Services. Eighteen per cent of referrals were made to clinical mental health services. The total cost of providing the service for a consumer per year (set-up and ongoing) was estimated to be AUD$15,755 and the ongoing cost per year was estimated to be AUD$13,434. The cost of doing nothing is likely to cost more in the longer term, with poor mental health outcomes such as hospital admission, unemployment benefits, prison, homelessness and psychiatric residential care. Conclusions: Supporting recovery in persons with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness is likely to be economically more beneficial than not doing so. Recovery can be better supported when frequently utilised services are co-located. These might be some learnings for the NDIS.

Partners in Recovery: paving the way for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Australians experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and who require services from multiple agencies, experience a fragmented service delivery system. In 2014, the Commonwealth Government introduced the Partners in Recovery (PIR) service, which provides service coordination and flexible funding to improve outcomes for this group of people. This study presents qualitative findings from a research project that aimed to understand the experiences of PIR participants, including aspects of the planning process and the effectiveness of the PIR program in meeting their needs from the perspective of the participant, their carer or family member and other support people within their lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 stakeholders involved in the PIR program, of which 14 were participants, 17 were members of the participant’s support network and three were members of a consumer and carer advisory group. Overall participation in the PIR program had a positive effect on the participant’s lives. Relationships with the support facilitators were seen as an important element of the process, along with a focus on recovery-oriented goals and advocacy and linking to other agencies. These findings are important for informing the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia, which will replace PIR.

Partners in Recovery program evaluation: changes in unmet needs and recovery

Objective Partners in Recovery (PIR) is an Australian government initiative designed to provide support and service linkage for individuals with complex needs living with severe and persistent mental illness. The aim of the present study was to examine whether consumers engaged in PIR programs in two large regions of Sydney experienced: (1) a reduction in unmet needs (either via self- or staff report); and (2) progress in their self-reported mental health recovery. Methods Unmet needs were measured using the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Scale and recovery was measured using the Recovery Assessment Scale – Domains and Stages. For individuals with initial and follow-up data, paired t-tests were used to examine change over time. Results At follow-up, individuals reported an average of two to three fewer unmet needs, and recovery scores increased by approximately 5% across each domain and the total score. At follow-up, the most common unmet needs were in the areas of ‘company’ and ‘daytime activities’. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that PIR services in these two geographical regions have achieved positive results. Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness engaged with PIR appear to have reduced their unmet needs and enhanced their mental health recovery. What is known about the topic? PIR services were established to support individuals with severe and persistent mental illness by creating service linkages to address unmet needs in order to facilitate recovery. Services were delivered through the new role of ‘support facilitator’. What does this paper add? By examining routinely collected outcome measures, this paper shows the success of the PIR program. Individuals engaged with PIR reported fewer unmet needs and enhanced recovery over the time they were involved with the program. However, they still faced serious challenges in building successful social interactions, such as developing friendships, and participating in meaningful activities. What are the implications for practitioners? The support facilitator role developed as part of PIR appears to be a useful method of supporting individuals to reduce unmet needs and enhance recovery. However, further work is required to address the challenges associated with overcoming social isolation and participation in meaningful activities.