Making a difference

In July 2011 the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) implemented the new Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) data collection in order to provide a better picture about pathways into and out of homelessness as well as the assistance provided by homelessness services.

To support agencies reporting as part of the SHS collection, AIHW in partnership with Infoxchange Australia developed a new online client management system. Since its launch six months ago, the Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP) has helped over 6650 staff from over 1100 homelessness agencies input client information, manage case notes, develop case plans, as well as record and report SHS data. SHIP’s highly intuitive user interface, easy navigation and range of functionality have made it easier for agency staff to manage their caseload.

The SHIP platform is based on Infoxchange Australia’scustomisableService Record System (SRS), part of the AppPac4nfp suite of applications specifically designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health, welfare and community sectors. These online applications allow users secure access from any location with an internet connection and enable organisations to focus on service delivery without having to manage in-house IT infrastructure.

Infoxchange, in conjunction with AIHW, continue to work to ensure SHIP is effective and practical for agencies.  SHIP enhancement suggestions from users are welcomed and SHIP Support and the development teams regularly review these recommendations. A number of these suggestions have been included in SHIP software releases over the past six months to make the application more intuitive and user-friendly.

Since SHIP went live six months ago, the SHIP support team has assisted with over7300 support calls and email requests. Calls to the SHIP support hotline have shifted from basic functionality assistance to client management and complex reporting queries. Over time users are becoming more confident with the SHS collection and are utilising the case management tools within SHIP to streamline workflow. Users are starting to explore the wide range of functions in SHIP including creating their own reports.

After the initial learning curve, agencies feel that SHIP will make their workloads easier in the long-term as the application provides a straight forward and user friendly client management system. ‘The transition to SHIP was easier than anticipated and it is very productive having everything on one database, the support line has provided great assistance in implementing SHIP into our organization,’ said Lisa from Bethany Community Services in Victoria.

The Commonwealth, in conjunction with the States and Territories, commissioned and funded the AIHW to develop SHIP in partnership with Infoxchange Australia.

For more information about SHIP – www.aihw.gov.au/ship
For more information about AppPac4NFP – www.infoxchange.net.au/apppac