Refugee Education Support Initiatives Program Evaluation
Evaluating Refugee Education Programs to Strengthen Outcomes and Funding Decisions
Grosvenor partnered with a state government agency to deliver an independent refugee education program evaluation of Refugee Education Support Initiatives. Specifically, we assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of multiple programs, synthesised cumulative outcomes, and provided evidence to support future funding decisions and program continuation under state budget requirements.
Situation
The client delivers a suite of four programs under Refugee Education Support Initiatives (RESI). RESI aims to build the capacity of schools and early childhood services to improve engagement, achievement and wellbeing for children and young people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. The 2023–24 State budget allocated $20.1 million to continue and expand refugee education supports. Of this funding, $10.1 million are lapsing funds. In addition, three programs are currently scheduled to conclude in December 2026. As a result, the need for regular refugee education program evaluation has become increasingly important for optimising funding allocation.
Task
The client required a robust, independent evaluation of three lapsing programs within RESI. This ensured these programs are continuing to be delivered effectively and efficiently. The evaluation reported on program level outcomes as well as cumulative outcomes. These findings support a budget bid for individual level program funding.
The evaluation needed to respond to the Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs) for lapsing programs as per the Resource Management Framework 2025 by the State’s Treasury and Finance. In addition, it included a review of the implementation progress against recommendations from the 2022 Lirata evaluation. This ensured that the programs are still achieving their intended objectives as required in a thorough refugee education program evaluation.
Approach
A mixed-methods theory based methodology was used for the evaluation, consistent with best practice for refugee education program evaluation across multiple contexts.
A 4-step apporach was used to deliver the evaluation:
- Establish project
- Co-design of the evaluation including two workshops and development of the evaluation plan
- Collection and analysis of data including document review, 12 hours of consults and data analysis, followed by synthesis and triangulation of findings
- Drafting and finalisation od the report.
Result
The project was successfully delivered with both individual program and culminative initiative outcomes identified.
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