A Strategic Assessment of the Children's Services Industry

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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
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES INDUSTRYindividuals. Each stakeholder actively promotes the importance of the Early Years and theNetwork employs a paid part time coordinator.The Network was a result of a community forum held in 2004 that looked at Early Yearsneeds in Bunbury and surrounds. In addition statistics from the AEDI and local mappingsupported a funding submission to the Early Years Strategy/Lottery west to employ a paid coordinator.The submission was successful and the Network received funding for a three yearperiod.Benefits of the Network include:• raising the profile of Early Years issues in the community• assisting organisations with events, projects and funding applications• effective and time efficient communication between network members and beyond• development of a current register of activities and contacts• provision of a central point for services to discuss and debate issues• effective network for future planning and• increase in targeted service delivery and less duplicationAn ongoing challenge for the project is a clear need for Network members to agree on keyfocus areas and the role of the Coordinator, including succession planning.The Network began in 2006 and will run until 2009For more information please contact: Bernie Evans, bernie.evans@communities.wa.gov.au74
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