This evaluation assessed a $10.4 million pilot program (2019-2022) that co-located 16 state and territory child protection and 6 policing officials at (or near) family law courts across Australia. The pilot aimed to improve information sharing and collaboration between family courts and state/territory agencies to enhance child and family safety decision-making, particularly in cases involving family violence. 

The purpose of the evaluation was to deliver credible evidence to inform the future development of the co-location model. The evaluation used a systems lens and a mixed method approach including:

• scoping interviews with key stakeholders (n=10)
• document reviews of milestone reports from participating agencies -Multiple stakeholder workshops across jurisdictions (n=151 people total)
• online partnership surveys (40 responses in June 2021, 45 in December 2021)
• follow-up interviews with key stakeholders.

The pilot was largely implemented as intended across 15 registries with all 22 officials appointed by June 2020. Survey respondents reported significant improvements in ease of information sharing and better outcomes for children and families. Quality and timeliness of information sharing improved, though clarity about what information could be shared remained challenging as did the efficiency of information sharing. Benefits were perceived to outweigh implementation effort and family safety outcomes were improved. Child protection officials were perceived to have higher collaboration levels relative to those in other roles. 

Key recommendations

• Continue funding the co-location model (noting 2021-22 Budget extended it to June 2025).
• Ensure sufficient and flexible human resources to allow for increasing workloads.
• Reshape the co-located official roles to reflect changing functions.
• Continue to Increase the knowledge and awareness of the role and functions of the co-located officials.
• Continue to develop collaboration through physical co-location.
• Create more consistent information-sharing practices across jurisdictions.
• Clarify the boundaries, expectations and and processes for co-located officials.
• Develop agreed measures of success.
• Consider shared data platforms for improved information exchange.