Title: Rapid evidence assessment of case management with vulnerable families
Author: Parenting Research Centre
Commissioned by: NSW Department of Family and Community Services
Published: September 2015

This review assessed the evidence for case management models for vulnerable families and identified systems and structures that may support case management. We identified 22 evaluations of case management models that could be categorised into three groups: vulnerable families in the early parenting years; families with complex needs; and services for children and youth. While there were positive and promising findings from some studies into case management, on the whole the evidence for case management was mixed. This was because some studies weren’t rigorous and others found no benefit for case management models.

Key findings

• There is a need to build the evidence base for case management. The lack of  evidence for case management models does not mean it lacks merit, but suggests there is insufficient information to determine what good case management looks like.
• Applying case management models should be embedded into structures of continuous quality improvement.
• Case management does not work on its own. It needs to be combined with high-quality, evidence-based services.
• Evidence about case management may be available in other fields.

Learn more

• Read the review (PDF 640 KB)
• Read the appendix (PDF 490 KB)
• Read our evidence review of service models for vulnerable families