A Strategic Assessment of the Children's Services Industry

STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES INDUSTRYWestern AustraliaLinking Education and Families (L.E.A.F.)The Linking Education and Families (L.E.A.F.) project began in Bunbury 2005 as a schoolbased decision to look for ways to connect families of 0-4year olds in our community.Organisations form partnerships with each other and families in our community to assistchildren to arrive at kindergarten with the best possible start.L.E.A.F aims to strengthen community networks, assist parent to support their child’sdevelopment, identify developmental delays early and access appropriate assistance forfamilies. In addition, it encourages parents to share information and develop strong linksbetween home/school. Initial funding was from the National Community Crime PreventionProgramme in 2007 and Lotterywest 2008.L.E.A.F has a steering group that is comprised of representatives from Departments ofEducation, Health, and Communities, Investing In Our Youth, and City of Bunbury. Eachstakeholder actively promotes the importance of the L.E.A.F project and currently sevenschools are formally involved in the implementation of the project.Initially funding was provided by Department of Education to release a teacher to researchways for the school to connect with the families of the 0-4 year old children in ourcommunity. The programme is based on research into early brain development, and localcommunity agencies were widely consulted.Benefits include• decreases anxiety in both parents and children about the transition to school• expands parent’s support system• increases family links to community services• facilitates access to early intervention• provides access to early childhood information and activities• increases parents awareness of the importance of early childhood development• increases partnerships between community and schoolThe model is highly effective. The challenge is future funding and ongoing sustainability.L.E.A.F. began in 2005 and is ongoing.For more information please Contact: Bernie Evans, Western Australia,bernie.evans@communities.wa.gov.auBunbury Early Years NetworkThe Bunbury Early Years Network was established in 2004 and has been involved insupporting numerous projects in and around Bunbury. The Network’s primary purpose is toaddress the needs of children aged 0-8 years, and their carers.Currently it supports six projects that range from a young mums group, literacy project,community playgroups, parenting and life skills project for Noongar families, and play cafésthat are held in local schools. The Network brings together individuals who have an interestand passion for the Early Years and are aligned with a range of organisations including Stateand Local Government, education, health, non government agencies, community groups and73