An evaluative case study undertaken as part of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. The report assesses the achievements in the implementation and effectiveness of the Strategy in addressing the local issues of social isolation, youth at risk, families with young children and disempowerment of the Indigenous population around Mandurah in Western Australia. 

A case study is a form of research concerned with the interactions between people and organisations in a particular place. Mandurah with the surrounding region was considered to be an appropriate site to employ the case study method because: 

• previous studies and reports suggested that it was a region characterised by pockets of high social need and a lack of capacity to address that need
• it was an area of rapid population growth and associated social pressures
• there was a high level of Strategy project activity in and around Mandurah
• it provided an opportunity to consider the impact of regional targeting.

A case study is instrumental when a typical case is examined in order to develop a general understanding of similar cases elsewhere. This study is primarily instrumental because the intention is that it informs our understanding of the Strategy more generally beyond Mandurah.

Three data collection sources have been relied upon in this study: focus group meetings, project site visits and documents (Departmental files and other reports).

Through its commitment to the principles that underpin the Strategy, and by providing funding, support and guidance to local projects, the Strategy did make a significant contribution to the process of strengthening families and communities in Mandurah.