Ticket to Work
Case Studies – Suggestions, Tips and Ideas
What is a Case Study?
A Case Study is a descriptive, exploratory or explanatory analysis of a person, group or event. A Case Study is
often used to outline what has happened or occurred and why. A Case Study can analyse a person,
organisation, event, project or activity. A Case Study can also explore a challenge or concern and how this
challenge was overcome or solved.
Case Studies can be used to build awareness, highlight success and stimulate discussion.
Why develop Case Studies?
Case Studies are useful tools that can be used for evaluation or research, promotion and marketing, to
stimulate discussion, to stimulate media interest, to share with partners / stakeholders / funders. Case
Studies also provide an opportunity to involve a number of ‘subjects’ who then form part of the Case Study
content and development.
Where to collect Case Study content and data?
Case Study content and data can be drawn from partners and participants and from your own knowledge
about the program. Data can be sourced through direct observation of participants, interviews, surveys,
resources, meeting discussions and feedback.
Who are Case Study audiences?
Some Case Studies are prepared for specific audiences (readers). Other Case Studies are prepared for a wide
range of audiences. It is important to consider your audience, and use appropriate language and content. If
you use a term that all audience members might not understand, be sure to define this term first. Similarly,
be careful not to use acronyms before ‘spelling out’ what the acronym stands for.
Case Study Template
The following provides some suggested ideas that can be used (or modified) when developing your own Case
Study.
1. Length
An ideal length is approx. one – two pages in length.
2. Title
Provide a title for your Case Study so that readers know what the article is about. For example:
 If your Case Study focused on the outcomes of one or more students you might call it ‘Case Study:
Ticket to Work, Jobs for young people with disability’
 If your Case Study focused on the benefits for one or more employers you might call it ‘Case Study:
Ticket to Work, Employers reap the benefit’
 If your Case Study was focused on the benefits for one or more parents you might call it ‘Case Study:
Ticket to Work, Building parental confidence’
3. Sub-Headings
Using sub-headings is a great way of planning your content, keeping content brief and addressing a
particular point. Some suggested sub-heading areas are:
 Overview. Provide a brief introduction to the Ticket to Work program, what it involves, what the goals
are, the partners involved and the region it relates to.
 Local Focus. Provide a background as to why Ticket to Work is in your region. You might want to
highlight the issues or contributing factors that led to you starting the program in your area. You also
might want to highlight other relevant issues such as: the socio-economic status of your region, the
level of disability in your area, skills shortages that coalesce with your program, the range of partners
involved, challenges that led to the program (eg. parent barriers, employer barriers, poor transition
outcomes).
 Name the Case (eg. Jason and his XYZ workplace; XYZ Council gives young people employment; XYZ
school doubles student apprenticeship outcomes). In this section describe the Case that is the basis of
this report. Consider including: an introduction to the characters/organisations, highlighting any issues
or contributing factors and include any personal or wider program outcomes (consider using quotes,
qualitative information or numerical information as part of this). Sometimes it is good to think of this
section as a short news article.
 Conclusion. Summarise your Case Study in one or two sentences. It is also good to consider including a
‘call to action’ statement at this point – eg. you may want to ask readers to “consider employing an
ASBA / SBAT student”, “contacting XZY at XYZ organisation to find out more”. You might also want to
consider letting readers know what the ‘next steps’ are – eg. “we will be holding our information
session on XYZ date at XYZ location”, “we anticipate the numbers of students doubling next year and
are looking for more businesses to offer employment”.
 Contact details (or more information). Remember to include contact details at the conclusion so that
readers know who to contact.
4. Quotes and testimonials
Include quotes and testimonials through your Case Study. Your quotes could be interspersed through the
report or you could include a sub section with a list of quotes or testimonials towards the end. Where
possible include the name and/or position / organisation of the person who has provided the quote.
5. Photos and images
Where possible try and include photos or images in your Case Study, as these help to break up text, can
validate a comment or make the report look more interesting. Before using photos make sure that Image
Release Forms have been approved.
More information:
If you would like more information about developing a Case Study, ideas or just want to run a draft
by someone contact:
Fiona Waugh (BGK LLEN)
Phone:
03 9584 8845
Email:
fiona.waugh@bgkllen.org.au