The challenge
Improving outcomes for children and families required a fundamental rethink of how systems, services and communities work together, and how we could ‘do better’ for the many South Australian children and families facing challenging circumstances.
Within the broader context of the South Australian Government highlighting the need to rethink how services support families and children, there was growing recognition that existing approaches were often fragmented, reactive and difficult to navigate, especially for those experiencing complex and persistent disadvantage.
While it was recognised that many individual services were working hard to support families, the system as a whole struggles to respond early, consistently and effectively. There was a need to establish a shared long-term vision that could guide future reform and support more coordinated, prevention-focused approaches over time.
The challenge was not to deliver immediate reform, but to develop a clear reimagination strategy that could create alignment, challenge existing assumptions and establish a foundation for future system-wide transformation.
How we helped
A co-designed, evidence-led process brought diverse voices together to shape a shared vision for generational change.
OCM co-led the development of the Thriving Families Generational Vision, in partnership with the University of Adelaide’s BetterStart Research Group.
A comprehensive reimagination process was developed, combining rigorous evidence analysis with large-scale engagement across the sector. This included more than 1,000 consultations with government, non-government organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and individuals with lived experience.
Safe and inclusive engagement environments enabled meaningful participation from a wide range of stakeholders. Facilitated “Imagine If” sessions encouraged participants to move beyond current constraints and explore new possibilities for how the system could better support families.
Lived experience was intentionally integrated with research evidence, ensuring the vision reflected both real-world challenges and proven pathways for improvement. National and international insights were also incorporated, grounding the work in leading practice and strengthening its future focus.
Results that matter
A shared, long-term vision created alignment, momentum and a strategic foundation for future system reform.
The Thriving Families Generational Vision articulated a long-term aspiration for how South Australia can better support children, young people and families through more connected, preventative and coordinated approaches.
The extensive engagement process helped build alignment across stakeholders and created shared understanding of the scale and complexity of the challenges facing families and communities. Importantly, the work shifted discussion beyond crisis response and service silos, helping establish a strategic platform for future reform conversations and potential next steps across the system.
The vision and accompanying engagement process created momentum for continued collaboration across government, service providers and community stakeholders, helping shape how future transformation efforts across the system might be approached.
Our people
Jonathan Cherian
