A Strategic Assessment of the Children's Services Industry

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STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES INDUSTRYAppendix A: Innovation in early childhood servicesThe following case studies illustrate innovation by State, Territory and local governments inthe planning, design and implementation of integrated children’s services. Most wereprovided to the authors by members of the Children’s Services Subcommittee of theCommunity Services and Disability Services Ministerial Advisory Council.AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYEarly Childhood SchoolsIn December 2006, the Minister for Education and Training announced that four new earlychildhood schools would open in 2009. These schools would be located on existing schoolsites.It is envisaged that these schools will develop as early learning and development centres.They will become regional hubs, providing integrated services for children (birth to eightyears) and their families. In addition to preschool to year 2 classes, these services couldinclude child care, family support services and other services that support children’s learning,health and well-being.The framework provides:• a rationale for early childhood schools to develop as early learning and developmentcentres (birth to eight years)• common goals for the early childhood schools• core elements of service provision• critical success factors.The two bodies involved were the Department of Education and Training and Department ofDisability, Housing and Community Service, which provided advice on the licensing childcare component. Broader community service provision in each site is yet to be determined.A cross government reference group provided input into the development of the earlychildhood school model.Child and Family CentresThe Child and Family Centres provide a range of universal services based on the needs ofchildren and their families. They provide a range of early intervention and prevention servicesfor children from birth to age five and their families. There are two Child and Family Centresin the ACT with a third planned for 2009 – 2010.Services at the Centre:• Maternal and Child Health Clinics providing support and advice on child health anddevelopment and parenting issues• Speech pathology services for children who need help with their speech, language andpre-literacy skills• Early Childhood Education services• Case Management for families with complex needs• Specialist support for children and their families• A supportive chat about parenting and information to help manage those ‘parentinghurdles’53
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES INDUSTRY• Assistance connecting parents and families, including parenting groups.The service was initially developed by Department of Disability, Housing and CommunityServices. A number of stakeholders are now involved including ACT Health and theDepartment of Education and Training.The development of the Child and Family Centres followed a very successful model ofservice delivery to the ACT community following the 2003 bushfires. A ‘one stop shop’community centre provided ongoing support to the community in a range of services,including insurance, health, counselling etc. This model formed the basis of the Child andFamily Centre model.The first centre was established in temporary premises in 2005; the third centre will beconstructed in 2009 - 2010.54
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A Strategic Assessment of the Children's Services Industry

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