Nolan, Clare, Bridge, Rosie, Holland, Grace, Whiteside, Mary, Baird, Leslie, Andrews, Suzanne, Lee Hong, Anita, and Tsey, Komla (2024) Utilising existing data for a pilot social return on investment analysis of the family wellbeing empowerment program: A justification and framework. Evaluation Journal of Australasia, 24 (2). pp. 99-123.

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Abstract

Demand is growing in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors for economic and quantifiable outcome data to guide decisions regarding the allocation of resources. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities in economically evaluating an Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing intervention, emphasising the value of utilising existing data. Driven by local and national Indigenous research priorities, the study involved a pilot Social Return on Investment analysis of the Aboriginal Family Wellbeing empowerment program. Underpinned by a collaborative mixed-methods approach, designed to mitigate data limitations and bolster trustworthiness, the analysis was undertaken across four stages, including a literature review to identify impacts and create a theory of change; co-design of an impacts framework; a targeted literature review to inform impact quantification and attribution; and calculation of the Social Return on Investment results. Results indicate that for every Australian dollar of investment in delivering Family Wellbeing between 2001 and 2021 in the Yarrabah Aboriginal community, A$4.60 of benefits were produced for participants and the community. The return is expected to be higher if important community and cultural impacts of the program were included in the monetisation. Data limitations and implications for future mixed methods economic evaluation of social interventions are explored.

Item ID:	85869
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2515-9372
Copyright Information:	Open Access CC BY.
Date Deposited:	17 Jun 2025 23:12
FoR Codes:	46 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 4605 Data management and data science > 460599 Data management and data science not elsewhere classified @ 50% 45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450409 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services @ 50%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2002 Evaluation of health and support services > 200205 Health policy evaluation @ 50% 21 INDIGENOUS > 2103 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health > 210303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health system performance @ 50%
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