How do we move beyond good intentions and start embedding evidence into the way we design, deliver, and adapt services?
That question was at the heart of our first OPEN Forum in this new series, which brought together presenters from three different organisations, each tackling outcomes, service data, and client voice from unique perspectives.
A key theme throughout was the importance of practical, system-level changes — and the reminder that evidence-informed practice doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
🔑 “You don’t need a full framework in place to start making progress — what matters is starting where you are and building incrementally.”
🔑 “Embedding outcomes is as much about culture and mindset as it is about tools and systems.”
The session featured three speakers, each a member of OPEN’s Evaluation Community of Practice, sharing real-world examples of how their organisations are using data and feedback to strengthen outcomes for clients. This session offers valuable insights for anyone working in service delivery, strategy, or evaluation.
Avi shared how Anchor developed an Outcomes & Impact Framework aligned to its strategic plan, and how it’s helping the organisation move from outputs to meaningful outcomes.
Key takeaways:
David outlined how Anglicare Victoria is using real-time data and client voice to adjust and improve services, particularly in out-of-home care settings.
Mia demonstrated how feedback loops are embedded across Uniting’s family services, using diverse methods to gather insights and strengthen practice.
This session reinforced the value of sharing practice-based knowledge, testing new approaches, and building a learning culture across the sector. Evidence is all around us — but it’s how we use it that makes the difference.
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Missed the session?To watch the event recording now, click the button below. To express interest in any of the above opportunities, sign up for our newsletter or get in touch for a chat, contact us at OPEN@cfecfw.org.au
Avi MacMull has been part of OPEN’s Evaluation Community of Practice since 2024. Avi is the Quality & Evaluation Lead at Anchor Community Care and has over 20 years’ experience in both commercial and philanthropic organisations including mutuals, co-operatives, social enterprises, and charities. Avi uses evaluation and measurement techniques to help understand operational performance, strategic priorities, and client outcomes.
David Giles has been an active contributor to the OPEN Network for many years and an Editorial Board member of the Children Australia journal. David is currently Manager Evidence and Outcomes at Anglicare Victoria. He is a social worker and psychology-trained researcher who has worked in the sector for 17 years. David has worked as a practitioner in family services, as well as in middle and senior management of family and community services.
Mia Lorenzo has been involved in OPEN’s Evaluation Community of Practice since 2023, following the completion of her Master of Evaluation at the University of Melbourne, where her capstone project was supervised by Dr Mandy Charman.
Mia is the Implementation and Evaluation Lead for Family Services at Uniting Vic.Tas. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Evaluation, equipping her with a strong foundation in evidence-informed practice and robust evaluation methodologies.
Mia specialises in evaluating and implementing programs focused on family preservation and reunification, child wellbeing, and early intervention in families. She is passionate about elevating consumer voices within evaluation, ensuring that the lived experiences and insights of children and families meaningfully inform service delivery and improvement.
In her current role, Mia effectively bridges research and practice, translating evaluation findings into practical, impactful strategies. She actively champions data-driven decision-making, continually advocating for rigorous, consumer-centred approaches to evaluation.
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