AHA was engaged to evaluate the Intercountry Adoption Family Support Service (ICAFSS). ICAFSS provides practical and emotional support throughout the planning, adoption, and post-placement phases of intercountry adoption - it aims to assist with a range of issues and challenges faced by families formed as a result of intercountry adoption.

Intercountry adoption programs began in Australia in the 1960s and it is estimated that over 11,000 children have since been adopted into Australia from overseas.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that over the ten years to June 2018, 1,417 children (all under 10) were adopted from overseas countries – from Taiwan (21%), Philippines (19%), South Korea (14%), China (14%), other Asian countries (15%), and other countries (17% – mainly South/Central American).

Since April 2016, ICAFSS has been funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to provide intercountry adoption services nationally.  ICAFSS was delivered by LifeWorks Relationship Counselling and Education Services (LifeWorks), and International Social Service Australia (ISSA).  ISSA operated in partnership with LifeWorks under a subcontracting arrangement.

Evaluation of the ICAFSS program

In April 2019, DSS engaged AHA to conduct an independent evaluation of the ICAFSS.  AHA’s role included:

• Providing expert review of the ICAFSS design and implementation
• Assessing whether the program was effective in meeting the ICAFSS objectives and responding to the needs and expectations of the target cohort, including families and adult adoptees
• Suggesting enhancements to improve services and to inform future funding decisions.

AHA used a mixed-methods approach to conduct the evaluation and produce comprehensive findings and report   The evaluation included:

• Development of an evaluation framework, including a theory of change and a program logic in close consultation with DSS, along with the development of tailored data collection and consultation tools
• Extensive stakeholder engagement with LifeWorks and ISSA representatives, service providers, advocacy organisations, academics and government representatives
• Comprehensive literature review to identify good practice in the delivery of services to people with complex needs similar to the target cohort
• Analysis of ICAFSS documentation and performance reports supplied by DSS, LifeWorks and ISSA.

AHA presented and received feedback on the findings of the draft final report, to DSS representatives in Canberra, which facilitated rapid completion of the final report.