NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Case Study

keziahsue8
Aug 25
3 min read

Updated: Aug 26

Client: NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
Dates: March 2025 - June 2025
Program Type: Strategic Transformation

BACKGROUND

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Program is a cornerstone of the state’s child protection and family support system, providing case management, placement services, and access to health, education, and cultural support to ensure safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children. The program is dedicated to promoting the wellbeing, development, and long-term success of every child in its care.

Following Recommendation 4 from the 2024 System Review and findings from additional external reviews, which highlighted deficiencies in accountability and oversight, PMLogic was engaged to co-develop a robust Accountability Framework. This framework was designed to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and processes to enhance accountability, transparency, and alignment with the program’s objectives.

APPROACH

PMLogic applied its award-winning DELIVER method, outlined below, to co-design the Accountability Framework and its accompanying playbook, ensuring a structured and collaborative approach.

Phase 1: Discover-Examine-Learn (DEL)

Through comprehensive document analysis, interviews and consultations with a DCJ working group of key DCJ executives, PMLogic co-developed the core elements of the Accountability Framework. These elements were organised into three maturity levels to support a phased, sustainable transformation of the OOHC program.

Phase 2: Implement-Validate-Evaluate (IVE)

PMLogic facilitated targeted workshops with OOHC program stakeholders to refine and align the Accountability Framework with their operational realities. The framework was structured using PMLogic’s 5P system model:

Purpose: Articulates the framework’s objectives and its alignment with the broader goals of the OOHC Program.
People: Defines the roles, responsibilities, and stakeholders involved or impacted.
Practices: Outlines the activities, processes, and behaviours required for effective implementation.
Platform: Specifies the tools, systems, templates, and resources that enable consistent and efficient operations.
Performance: Establishes indicators, metrics, and review mechanisms to measure success and drive continuous improvement.

Phase 3: Reinforce (R)

To embed the new ways of working, PMLogic supported the creation of a DCJ internal SharePoint site, housing all supporting documentation, templates, and an editable playbook to promote continuous improvement. This ensured the framework remained a living, adaptable resource for the program.

OUTCOMES

The OOHC Program Accountability Framework playbook transformed accountability into a clear, actionable, and sustainable system. By documenting workflows, decision-making protocols, and escalation pathways, the playbook eliminated ambiguity, providing a unified understanding of responsibilities, execution, and accountability at every stage.

The playbook integrated best practices and practical tools. It will help to enhance efficiency, reduce redundancy, and accelerate implementation. It serves as a dynamic, single source of truth for the OOHC program, supporting DCJ as it transitions from stabilisation to rebuilding phases.

"Partnering with PMLogic to develop the OOHC Accountability Framework has been transformative. Their collaborative approach has helped deliver a practical, actionable playbook, and given our team clarity and tools needed to drive meaningful reform. This framework is a cornerstone for our program’s future, and the process has been an invaluable learning experience for all involved as we embark on this major change." - Program Sponsor, NSW Department of Communities and Justice

Ready to strengthen accountability and drive lasting transformation in your programs? At PMLogic, we partner with organisations to co-design frameworks that not only meet today’s challenges but also build resilience for the future.