Building our data, analytics and insights capability
Better insights for better decisions
We are focused on enabling people to get the support they require, and to participate positively in society and reach their potential by championing the use of data and evidence in our work and seeking out opportunities to help case managers make high-quality evidence-based decisions.
We have updated our Client Service Matching tool with adjustments to eligibility for case management services, consolidation of service lists for small sites, and changes to automate and accommodate expansion of trials such as Supporting Offenders into Employment. Features have also been added to ensure that clients who used to receive the Youth Payment are placed into work-focused case management if they are not already in an active service.
We have also created a Case Manager Tool, which helps to improve decision-making by presenting case managers with consolidated information about clients from several different systems in use across MSD.
We have further improved the ability of our case managers to make decisions for our clients in need of public, transitional or emergency housing by enhancing the suite of reports they have access to [49]. These reports empower case managers and other MSD staff to make better and well-informed decisions for our clients.
Data exchange – sharing data with other agencies
Our VOYCE Whakarongo Mai data exchange arrangement with Oranga Tamariki enables secure transfer between our two agencies of contact information for children in care and for carers, and provides connection to advocates for children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard by government and the care system.
We have been conducting a secure data-share research project with MidCentral District Health Board and Orion Health to understand the health and welfare interaction of patients/clients with long-term health conditions. Understanding our clients’ interactions with the health system will allow us and health providers to offer better service choices to support their needs and aspirations. Findings to date include a greater prevalence of people with mental health conditions than we have previously been aware of on the evidence of medical certificates. The research also indicates that we can detect patterns of people who interact with health providers associated with these mental health conditions well in advance of them entering the benefit system.
A report on our information-sharing agreement with the Ministry of Education for the provision of services to help disengaged youth move into education, employment or training can be found in the Annual report PDF from page 255 (Appendix 4) - please see the PDF below.
Footnotes
[49] We have introduced reports about the Public Housing Register, public housing tenancy management, Accommodation Supplement, Emergency Housing and Housing Support Products.
