The Reconnect program is an early intervention and prevention service designed to reduce the risk of 12 to 18-year olds entering homelessness. Established in December 1999, the program does not provide housing but largely delivers individual case management, group work, mediation and referrals to other support services. The current service agreements for Reconnect service providers are due for renewal in 2026.

This review investigates the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of the Reconnect program, which targets the early intervention and prevention of child and youth homelessness. The Review aimed to provide insights to inform ongoing Program improvements and future policy and budget decision-making for the Reconnect program. 

It finds Reconnect is effective but would benefit from stronger integration with other systems and enhanced data reporting and monitoring. 

The Review involved: 

• an extensive desktop review of available Reconnect program documentation, and publicly available literature and grey literature regarding youth homelessness
• analysis of Reconnect program data
• eight site visits
• two online surveys, including one online survey of Reconnect clients and one online survey of sector representatives (including Reconnect Service Providers, state and territory government policy and program staff, community services organisation, youth peak bodies and housing and homelessness organisations)
• eight interviews with a broad cross-section of stakeholders
• six forums with targeted stakeholder groups
• ongoing Review administration and delivery meetings
• establishment of and engagement with an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to provide advice on Review processes, and contextualise Review findings and considerations. 

Findings 

• Early intervention and prevention (including the Reconnect program) account for most of the decrease in youth homelessness from 2001 to 2006 in Australia.
• Reconnect has adapted to local circumstances to deliver a place-based service, which makes it easy to define at a service level, but difficult at a program level.
• The place-based approach to delivering Reconnect is key to achieving these outcomes. It gives the Program the flexibility to deliver highly specialised support as well as build effective place-based service networks.
• Reconnect is highly dependent on the schooling system for referrals into its service, however, arrangements with schools are not systematised.
• Reconnect is relatively cost efficient compared to youth homelessness services, but relies on other service systems to achieve its outcomes.