Codesigning continuous improvement in an Aboriginal led resi rehab
June 2025
Aboriginal led services have unique needs. And when it comes to meaningful data, a one size fits all approach just doesn’t work. That’s why codesign is the key.
We are so proud of our continuing partnership with Pinangba and excited to share that our collaborative work on embedding routine outcome monitoring in Aboriginal residential alcohol and other drug services has been accepted for publication in Drug and Alcohol Review.
Funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, this project focused on building the capability of Pinangba’s two family centric services to gather and use data to support continuous improvement.
This was more than passing on our knowledge of effective tools. It was about working together to codesign a bespoke system that easily and meaningfully captures client experiences and outcomes.
Codesigning culturally safe data tools
We used a participatory, culturally grounded approach, working alongside staff and clients to design data collection processes that were culturally relevant, practical and responsive to service needs. Two key tools were developed:
- A client experience survey, which directly informs service improvements and is simple to administer and analyse
- A client outcome survey, using validated measures to track changes across the treatment journey
Supporting staff every step of the way
Building staff capacity was central to this project’s success, from training and mentoring to hands on support with implementation. Erin Cunningham, Service Manager at Pinangba, led the roll out and successfully collected and analysed data from both surveys.
Of course it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Like many services, competing demands and priorities, staff turnover, and technology barriers made things a little harder. Client follow up also threw up some challenges. Services are not usually resourced to do this type of work, but despite the challenges, the impact was real and significant.
Clients told us that completing the surveys even felt therapeutic and helped them reflect on their progress and set meaningful treatment goals.
What we learned
When outcome monitoring is done in a way that is tailored, codesigned and culturally safe, it can do more than measure progress. It can support it.
But for this to work in alcohol and other drug services – Aboriginal or mainstream – good tools aren’t enough. It takes resources, cultural safety, and ongoing investment in workforce development.
This project highlights the power of local leadership, staff training, and strong implementation support in embedding outcome monitoring in a way that is not just a compliance process, but is actually useful – for clients, staff, and the service.
Read the full story in our latest publication, coauthored with Pinangba and supported by the Queensland Mental Health Commission.
How we can help
Service and workforce improvement can be challenging. The real world is messy, and working on the frontline you need clear practical solutions that work.
We provide practical tailored solutions for any service who works with people who use drugs. We support better responses to alcohol and other drug issues in mental health, primary care, welfare, justice and education sectors, as well as the specialist alcohol and other drug sector. Learn more about how 360Edge can help your service.
Are you interested building your skills in responding to alcohol and other drugs? Check out our diverse range of clinical practice workshops.
