Is headspace making a difference to young people’s lives?

Appendix C
All interviews were coded using the coding framework. Each node represents a conceptual category,
used to integrate data into themes. Coding therefore enables data to be managed easily by reducing
it and linking data across transcripts and related themes. Following the coding process, analytical
memos were written that summarised key data within each node. Further, a number of queries
were run to identify frequencies and relationships across nodes. Through this intensive process of
searching through data and writing up results, key findings emerged and are presented throughout
this report.
Centre Managers Survey
An online survey was administered to all managers at the 40 operational headspace sites that were
established during Rounds 1-3. The survey asked managers to identify the types of practitioners
operating at the centre, the capacity of the staff, and the range and approximate numbers of
services offered. The survey asked managers to rate their satisfaction with the support received by
centres, and to provide their opinion on the effectiveness of headspace services. The survey sought
information about the governance of each centre, including managers’ satisfaction with their lead
agency and consortium partners. Finally, the survey included a section on perceived sustainability of
headspace, asking managers to rate the importance of various factors.
The online survey template was created using KeySurvey, a survey software program. The survey
was launched following the receipt of contact names and email addresses for all headspace centres
opened during Rounds 1-3 (n=40). The survey was sent to the sample of survey managers on 6 June
and a reminder email was sent to all non-respondents 1 week later. A final reminder email was sent
to non-respondents a day before the advertised survey closing date, 17 June. At closing, 57.5% of
managers (n=23) had responded to the email invitation and had submitted completed surveys. While
this response rate is lower than desired, the average response rate for studies of organisations (that
is, seeking information about the organisation from individual representatives) is around 35% (Baruch
& Holton, 2008).
Following recommendations from the headspace Technical Advisory Group and Evaluation Executive
Committee, an email was sent to non-participant centre managers to indicate that the survey would
be re-opened on 15th of August for a period of 15 days. This resulted in a further 6 managers
completing the survey, bringing the total of respondents to 29 out of 40 – a response rate of 72.5%.
headspace centres from across Australia, located in urban, regional and remote areas, and
established in all specified rounds (1-3) are represented among survey respondents (n=29). Survey
responses were received from managers of centres located in all states and territories, except for
Tasmania. Table C3 provides a description of the range of sites whose managers completed the
survey.
Table C3 Profile of headspace Centres whose managers completed the survey
State
NSW 9
Vic 7
Qld 4
WA 4
SA 3
ACT 1
NT 1
Remoteness
Major Cities 15
Inner Regional 8
Outer Regional 5
Very Remote 1
Round
1 8
2 15
3 6
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