Evaluation of the Universal Screening and Support Pilot

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice commissioned SPRC, in partnership with Deloitte and IPSOS ATSIRU, to undertake a process, outcomes and economic evaluation of the Universal Screening and Support pilot (USS) over 2019-2022. USS is a prevention and early intervention program, screening all students in participating schools and delivering targeted wrap around supports to students and their families to reduce their risk of homelessness and school disengagement. USS is being piloted in selected schools in two areas with support services provided by two different organisations. Supports are provided by YES Unlimited in Albury (where screening commenced in 2019) and by Barnardos Australia in Mount Druitt (where screening commenced in 2020). The final report was completed in 2023 and published in 2024.