Evaluating the Kinship Care Early Adopter Market Test

The Queensland Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety wanted to reform its approach to kinship care as the preferred arrangement for children and young people in out-of-home care. From July 2023, a two-year Market Test trialled a new investment model with three specialised service types. Fourteen service providers across five regions took part.

Outpost Consulting conducted a two-stage evaluation, a mid-term review and a final evaluation, to inform future investment in kinship care. We examined what the Market Test was achieving, its intended outcomes, how program features influenced outcomes as well as what worked and what proved challenging. We analysed quarterly reports, brokerage spending and provider reflection surveys and held interviews and focus groups with kinship carers, service providers, central and regional Department staff and peak bodies. We then held sensemaking sessions with service providers and Child Safety staff to test our interpretations and deepen the findings. Our findings showed the Market Test was a meaningful step toward a more effective, culturally responsive kinship care system, laying strong foundations for longer-term reform.