Measure for Measure is foundational research that aims to map and understand a range of justice initiatives from across Victoria. It is an effort to identify the common elements of success in responding to legal need and capability, and to discuss what that means for practice, evaluation and better outcomes at a range of levels. 

This report identifies common elements of effective practice in these initiatives and organises them into a People-Centred Justice Model to help inform how the sector designs, measures and understands its work. It also explores the potential and challenges in sustaining and scaling these initiatives, critical for the broader adoption of successful practice. The report expands on the concept of the justice ecosystem, recognising that there is great interconnection, and that an aggregated view of activity and experience will pay significant dividends in systematically addressing legal need and capability across Victoria.

Key findings

• People-centred justice happens; while there is no single model, the elements of success are common in different combinations and intensities.
• Two-thirds of initiatives involved external partners and cross-sector collaboration was consistently described as central to effectiveness.
• Trust and building capability were core aspects of what practitioners described as successful practice, operating at multiple levels and across service users, practitioners and organisations.
• Promising practice is not matched by sufficient evidence, resourcing, or system coordination to sustain or scale, with four in five initiatives identifying funding and resourcing as the most significant barrier to success. 

The report is provided with a summary information sheet and poster.