A number of programmes support disabled people and people with health conditions to prepare for, find and stay in work. Such services may be tailored to the individual’s needs and goals. The Oranga Mahi programme, funded by Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development, was established in 2016 to deliver a set of cross-agency prototypes in partnership with several District Health Boards (DHBs) and Primary Healthcare Organisations (PHOs) throughout New Zealand. The Oranga Mahi programme aims to support people with disabilities and/or health conditions to improve their wellbeing and enter sustainable employment. The purpose of the Oranga Mahi evaluation is to inform strategic decisions about the programme.
The Evaluation
The pathway to sustained employment and improved wellbeing is complex and the result of a range of factors working together. In order to explore and understand this complex system of causes and outcomes, the evaluation adopted exploratory techniques alongside a quasi-experimental approach, notably propensity score matching using the information in the integrated data infrastructure (IDI).
