NSW Government Child Protection

Mothers who have experienced child separation due to safety concerns are faced with a critical 48-hour period following the separation, during which they are most likely to seek support and guidance. Given the heightened emotional state associated with this experience, there is a pressing need for a platform that offers a straightforward, culturally sensitive, and easily comprehensible interface to provide timely assistance and resources.

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An in-depth user research phase identified mothers aged 25-30 who have experienced child separation due to safety concerns as the primary user group. Data indicates that these mothers are most likely to engage with the application within a critical 48-hour period following the separation. Given the heightened emotional state associated with this experience, the design imperatives were to create an interface that is straightforward, culturally sensitive, and employs plain English for ease of comprehension.
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Owing to time constraints, the project proceeded directly to the design phase. Utilizing Figma's real-time collaboration capabilities, a high-fidelity prototype was developed. This prototype served as an empirical representation of the user interface, incorporating interactive elements such as text-to-speech buttons and a universal search bar. These features were pivotal in simulating the user journey, from initial engagement to accessing necessary support.
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Design Solutions

Solution 1: Text-to-Speech Functionality
The integration of text-to-speech features aims to widen the application's accessibility, accommodating users with disabilities and those with limited literacy skills.
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Solution 2: Streamlined Navigation
The homepage design incorporates multiple points of entry, including a "recently visited" section and a universal search bar, to minimise cognitive load and simplify navigation.
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Solution 3: Visual Hierarchy and Accessibility
A well-defined visual hierarchy, intuitive navigational cues, and adherence to AAA colour accessibility standards were implemented to make the information easily digestible.
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Solution 4: Dedicated Resources Tab
A dedicated tab for resources provides quick and easy access to support services, further enhancing the application's user-friendliness during critical times.
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Solution 5: Glossary of Terms
The inclusion of a glossary that links to potentially complex terms within the content serves to demystify jargon and make the information more accessible to users who may not be familiar with specific terminology.
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Design Rationale

The design decisions were meticulously guided by an analytical understanding of the user needs and emotional states. For example, the text-to-speech functionality was a calculated inclusion to address potential literacy challenges. The streamlined navigation, clear visual hierarchy, dedicated resources tab, and glossary were all strategically designed elements aimed at facilitating quick and efficient information retrieval.
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In Conclusion

This project is designed to meet the immediate needs of mothers aged 25-30 who are navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of child separation due to safety concerns. By incorporating user-centric design principles and features such as text-to-speech, efficient navigation, a dedicated resources tab, and a glossary of terms, the application aims to offer an accessible, culturally sensitive, and user-friendly platform during a critical 48-hour window.

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