Creating Futures is an intensive support service for young people leaving custody or otherwise involved in the criminal justice system on bail, community orders or court diversion. It provides court support and advocacy and wraparound casework tailored to the needs and goals of each client.

Weave invited independent researchers to evaluate Creating Futures over a three-year period beginning in 2017. The researchers worked with Weave, with oversight from Indigenous-controlled organisations, to develop an evaluation framework which combined interviews, client Yarning Circles and analysis of client data, to assess whether the program meets its three key aims.

Those aims are: reducing client contact with the criminal justice system; supporting clients to meet their goals and increase their sense of purpose, self-worth, social inclusion and dignity via the use of an Aboriginal Healing Framework; and utilising processes which represent good practice in post-release support and align with the program’s theory of change.