Springboard is a leaving care service funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) ($16.9 million over four years: 2011/12 – 2014/15). The program, which commenced in 2012, assists young people aged 16 to 20 on Victorian Custody or Guardianship orders who are in, or have recently left, residential care. The focus is on assisting these young people to gain secure, long-term employment by re-engaging with appropriate education, training and employment opportunities and providing intensive, youth-focussed support. Community-based organisations with specialist skills in supporting young people with education, training and employment deliver the program across the state.
This report contains the findings from an independent evaluation undertaken throughout 2014 by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) in partnership with the University of NSW (UNSW) Australia. The evaluation uses quantitative and qualitative data analyses to examine the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of program delivery, and to assess program effectiveness.