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Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Forecast SROI analysis of the Drum Atweme program (Tangentyere Council)

Indigenous AffairsCommunity Safety
Monday, 01 September 2014
Publication author(s):
Australian Government
Publication abstract:

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet commissioned Social Ventures Australia (SVA) Consulting to understand, measure and value the changes generated by Indigenous justice programs. The Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology was used to complete this analysis. This analysis was undertaken to assist the Department to better understand and articulate the value of the Drum Atweme program run by the Tangentyere Council and to improve program delivery, including measurement and evaluation.

Key findings:

  • The Drum Atweme early intervention program supports young people throughout their childhood and adolescence to increase their engagement in school, make positive connections, increase their self-esteem and avoid anti-social behaviour. These outcomes contribute to their development into healthy adults, which has positive flow-on effects to their families and schools, the justice system, and the community.
  • If the current investment is maintained, $1.1 m is forecast to be invested into the program over the next five years. This includes cash investment from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ($797k) and cash and in-kind support from Drum Atweme ($193k). There is forecast to be approximately $4k per annum invested in each young person in the Drum Atweme performance group.
  • Based on this level of investment, the social value associated with the outcomes of the program is forecast to be $7.3m over the next five years ($1.5m per annum). Almost half of this value ($675k per annum) is attributable to the reallocation of justice system resources that would ordinarily be used to address the young people's anti-social and offending behaviour.
  • When the $7.3m in social value that is expected to be generated is compared to the anticipated $1.1m investment in the program, the Social Return on Investment (SROI) ratio equates to 7:1. This means for every $1 that is forecast to be invested in the program between FY15 to FY19, approximately $7 of social value is expected to be created.
  • If the impact of the program on the justice system is isolated, the SROI ratio is 4:1, and if the impact of the program on young people is isolated, the SROI is 2:1. This indicates that if only the objective measures, or only the subjective measures of the program impact are taken into account, the social value created is forecast to be greater than the investment required to generate this value.

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