This report details the process of working with six Aboriginal alcohol and other drug (AOD) residential rehabilitation services in New South Wales to embed a best-evidence Standardised Assessment Tool (SAT) into their service delivery processes and the outcomes of using it for service improvement.

This project was implemented using a community-based participatory research approach that combined quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods. The aims of the project were to: 

• Build the capacity of services to routinely collect valid and reliable client data.
• Implement a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process to sustain and enhance improved collection of client data.
• Quantify the economic benefits and costs of Aboriginal AOD residential rehabilitation services.
• Co-design and implement a refined model of integrated case management and exit planning. 

Key findings 

1. Refinements to a best-evidence SAT were co-designed between Aboriginal residential rehabilitation services and researchers and integrated into Patient Information Management Systems (PIMS).
2. There are clear opportunities to further improve the SAT, namely: (a) adding direct measures of the value that clients attach to Aboriginal residential rehabilitation to the SAT; and (b) optimising the uptake of the SAT by addressing key barriers.
3. The introduction of a co-designed CQI process increased the number of client assessments completed during treatment, and on exit.
4. The staff of services rated the CQI process as highly acceptable.
5. Although the CQI process should be sustainable, key threats to its uptake and sustainability were identified.
6. The benefit-cost ratio for Aboriginal residential rehabilitation services was estimated to be 1.29, which means that every $1.00 invested in these services achieves an estimated $1.29 return.
7. A refined model of integrated case management and exit planning was co-designed and implemented, with key barriers to the uptake into routine practice identified.