Embedding Evidence: Voices from practice – Building outcomes, service data and client focus | Anchor Inc., Anglicare Victoria and Uniting VicTas

Join us for an engaging session exploring practical strategies to embed outcomes, service data, and client insights into everyday practice. This event is part of OPEN’s new series, showcasing diverse approaches from organisations across the sector—offering key takeaways for leaders, program managers, and practitioners alike.

No matter where you are in your evidence and data journey, this session is for you. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, you’ll gain practical, real-world insights that can be applied across different programs and services. These presentations will show that embedding evidence and client voice doesn’t have to be overwhelming—small, strategic steps can make a big impact.

This session will highlight three different approaches to embedding evidence in practice:

• From Vision to Impact:  Anchor’s Journey in Implementing Evaluation Work – Avi MacMull (Anchor Inc.) will share how their Outcomes & Impact Framework was developed to align with strategic goals and drive a consistent approach to measuring success. Avi will take a deep dive into a project where theory of change was reviewed, outcome measures were refined, and practitioner-led tools were developed to systematically collect data without overburdening clients. The presentation will highlight how culture, infrastructure, and processes work together to embed evidence-informed practice across an organisation.
• Keeping on with what’s working or correcting the course: the role of outcomes and client voice data during active service-provision – David Giles  and Jonathon Cummins (Anglicare Victoria) will outline Anglicare Victoria’s processes for assessing client outcomes and conducting client voice surveying during ongoing service episodes, using the example of out-of-home care. These processes are designed to inform decision-making about ongoing service provision; both at an individual client level, and for continuous improvement purposes at an organisational level.
• Engaging practitioners and clients in understanding impact – Mia Lorenzo (Uniting VicTas) will explore how integrating client and practitioner insights throughout the evaluation process leads to better quality data and improved outcomes. Mia will share lessons from the Family Preservation and Reunification Response (FPRR) evaluation, where diverse feedback methods—including workshops, surveys, and focus groups—were used to build engagement, improve service delivery, and drive continuous improvement.

Alongside these presentations, OPEN will introduce new training, project support, and resources to help organisations build their evidence and outcomes capabilities.

This session offers a blend of foundational insights for those new to evidence-informed practice and more advanced strategies for those looking to refine their approach. Don’t miss out on practical takeaways from these shared experiences, highlighting key lessons, tools, and challenges in embedding evidence and client voice into service delivery.

Register Here