Conduct of the evaluation An independent consultant will be engaged to undertake the evaluation. The evaluation will be overseen by a steering committee comprising Department of Family and Community national and state office staff. The steering committee will provide guidance, feedback and comment on the progress of the evaluation at critical points. The Reference Group for the Case Based Funding Trial, comprising industry and consumer representatives, will function as the reference group for the evaluation and provide broad guidance. A variety of stakeholders will be consulted and interviewed as part of the evaluation process.
Stakeholders can also provide information to the evaluation through their relevant peak bodies.
Evaluation stages and timeframes The evaluation will commence in June 2000. It will be conducted in two stages over a period of 18 months. During Stage 1 of the evaluation all available data collected as part of the trial will be comprehensively analysed. During Stage 2 of the evaluation, the consultant will analyse and report on whether trial objectives have been achieved and on the effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of case based funding in assisting job seekers with a disability find and maintain employment. Stage 2 of the evaluation, including a final evaluation report, is scheduled for completion by November 2001.