Youth Transition Support (YTS) Services Final Evaluation Final Report Prepared for Department of Home Affairs Australian Government November 2019 Contents About Synergistiq ...................................................................................................................... 5 Tables ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Figures ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 10 About Youth Transition Support services .......................................................................................... 10 Evaluation background and methodology ......................................................................................... 10 Key Findings .................................................................................................................................... 11 Recommendations and suggested areas for improvement ................................................................ 11 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 12 1.1 Youth Transition Support services - Background .......................................................................... 12 1.1.1 YTS Providers...................................................................................................................................................13 1.2 Target population and client demographics ................................................................................ 16 1.3 Components of the YTS services: the four pillars ......................................................................... 21 1.3.1. YTS Reporting Framework ..............................................................................................................................22 1.3.2. Evidence that supports the components .......................................................................................................22 1.3.2.1 Pillar: Strong connections to Education ...................................................................................................22 1.3.2.2 Pillar: Partnerships for Employment ........................................................................................................23 1.3.2.3 Pillar: Increased Vocational Opportunities ..............................................................................................24 1.3.2.4 Pillar: Sports Engagement for Youth ........................................................................................................24 1.4 Evaluation of the YTS .................................................................................................................. 25 1.4.1 Purpose and Scope of this Evaluation .............................................................................................................25 1.4.1.1 Evaluation of the Pilot .............................................................................................................................25 1.4.1.2 Final evaluation .......................................................................................................................................26 2. Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 27 2.1 Method of evaluation (mixed method) ....................................................................................... 27 2.2 Ethics approval ........................................................................................................................... 28 2.3 Data collection methods ............................................................................................................. 28 2.3.1 Literature Review ............................................................................................................................................28 2.3.2 Existing Program Data .....................................................................................................................................28 2.3.3 YTS client survey .............................................................................................................................................29 2.3.5 Interviews of key stakeholders .......................................................................................................................31 2.4 Limitations of the study .............................................................................................................. 31 3. Results from Investigation Tools .......................................................................................... 32 3.1 Client survey profile ................................................................................................................... 32 3.2 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 36 3.2.1 Appropriateness ..............................................................................................................................................37 1 3.2.1.1 Key Evaluation Question 1 .......................................................................................................................37 To what extent have YTS services had a positive impact on target group clients’ employment, education and social participation outcomes, particularly 12 months to 3 years after YTS service participation? ....................37 3.2.1.2 Key Evaluation Question 2 .......................................................................................................................50 Is the four-pillar model appropriate for achieving these outcomes? ..................................................................50 3.2.2 Effectiveness ...................................................................................................................................................52 3.2.2.1 Key Evaluation Question 3, ......................................................................................................................52 Has the YTS achieved its intended objectives? ....................................................................................................52 3.2.2.2 Key Evaluation Question 4: ......................................................................................................................62 What outcomes were observed, both intended and unintended, from the YTS? ..............................................62 3.2.2.3 Key Evaluation Question 5: ......................................................................................................................66 What aspects of the YTS services worked for whom, when, where and in what circumstances? ......................66 3.2.2.4 Key Evaluation Question 6: ......................................................................................................................69 How has early intervention through YTS services impacted income support reliance? .....................................69 3.2.2.5 Key Evaluation Question 7: ......................................................................................................................71 What lessons can inform future policy and program delivery for the target cohort of vulnerable migrant youth? ..................................................................................................................................................................71 3.2.3 Efficiency .........................................................................................................................................................72 3.2.3.1 Key Evaluation Question 8: To what extent do YTS services represent value for money for the Australian Government? .....................................................................................................................................72 4. Discussion and Conclusions .................................................................................................. 79 4.1 Appropriateness ......................................................................................................................... 79 4.1.1 To what extent have YTS services had a positive impact on target group clients’ employment, education and social participation outcomes, particularly 12 months to 3 years after YTS service participation? .............79 4.1.2 Is the four-pillar model appropriate for achieving these outcomes? .........................................................80 4.2 Effectiveness .............................................................................................................................. 81 4.2.1 Has the YTS achieved its intended objectives? ...........................................................................................81 4.2.2 What outcomes were observed, both intended and unintended, from the YTS? .....................................82 4.2.3 What aspects of the YTS services worked for whom, when, where and in what circumstances? .............83 4.2.4 How has early intervention through YTS services impacted income support reliance? ............................83 4.2.5 What lessons can inform future policy and