Australian Nurse Family Partnership Program

Urbis, in partnership with First Nations agency Cox Inall Ridgeway (CIR), was engaged by the Department of Health and Aged Care to evaluate the Australian Family Partnership Program (AFPP). Our evaluation aimed to enhance the program's impact on maternal and child health and wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

The Department of Health and Aged Care sought to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through the Australian Family Partnership Program (AFPP). The program supports women pregnant with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander baby from pregnancy through the first two years of motherhood, promoting preventative health practices and child development. Urbis and CIR were tasked with evaluating the program to support its continuous improvement, document its impact, and identify ways to strengthen long-term outcomes. The scope included capturing program outcomes, determining the social return on investment, and identifying areas for improvement across 13 sites.

Urbis and CIR employed a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the AFPP, combining quantitative program and survey data with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. Our evaluation included two rounds of primary data collection and analysis in 2022 and 2023, featuring extensive onsite interviews with clients, staff, and program partners across urban, regional, and remote communities nationally. This comprehensive approach allowed us to capture a holistic view of the program's effectiveness and areas for enhancement. Key services included data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic recommendations to inform program expansion and implementation.

Our evaluation provided critical insights that informed the Department of Health and Aged Care's decision to expand the AFPP to two additional sites in northern Western Australia. The program has effectively reached over 3,600 participants since its inception in 2009, achieving significant outcomes such as improved parenting confidence, self-efficacy, and better social, emotional, and health outcomes. The inclusion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Partnership Worker (FPW) role has ensured culturally safe service delivery. Our recommendations have supported the continued success and expansion of the AFPP, ensuring ongoing support for women and their children.