ANNUAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN...feasibility studies and sharing information. Following a feasibility...

Creating the best future

for our children

Introduction

This is the second Municipal Early Years

Plan (MEYP) summary report following

the plan’s endorsement in March 2016.

As the implementation of the MEYP

progresses, it is important to take stock,

report on achievements and recognise

the changing early years environment and

emerging priorities, particularly through

the State Governments reform agenda.

This document also includes an updated

MEYP action plan. As part of the annual

review process, both City of Greater

Bendigo service units and contributing

agencies have provided feedback on their

progress in achieving their respective

actions and any changes required.

The Greater Bendigo Municipal Early

Years Plan

The MEYP is focused on children

aged from birth to eight years and

their families and carers. It aims to

enhance the health and wellbeing of

children and families by providing a

framework to prioritise needs, plan

for the future, facilitate partnerships

and direct resources. It also provides

a vision and strategic direction for

our early years sector with a focus on

‘whole of community’ responses to the

priorities identified by the community.

MEYP vision:

All children aged from birth to eight

years and their families are part of an

active, healthy and safe child friendly

community that promotes and provides

real opportunities for learning and

development.

The MEYP features six priority themes

which have corresponding objectives

and actions as part of the action plan.

The action plan also highlights the

collaborative partnerships and where

there are opportunities for families and

children to contribute.

ANNUAL

PROGRESS

REPORT AND

ACTION PLAN

UPDATE

2018

MEYP themes:

1. Safety of children

2. Environment and facilities

for children

3. Active and healthy children

4. Education and care for children

5. Whole of community

partnerships benefitting children

6. A child friendly city

and community

More information: contact Community Wellbeing Planning and Policy Coordinator Alicia O’Brien at [email protected]

pr

Action Plan – Summary progress report

The summary progress report highlights some key achievements between March 2017 and March 2018.

OBJECTIVE ACTIONS PROGRESS TO DATE

THEME 1: SAFETY OF CHILDREN

1.1. To support organisations,

programs and initiatives

that promotes children’s

safety in the community.

1.1.2 Organise and participate in events that promote safety for children and their families in the community e.g. White Ribbon Day.

The City continues to host an annual White Ribbon Day event.

The City hosted a Gender Equity Forum and Workshop on March 8, 2018. The event focused on creating conversation about how we can motivate and unite friends, colleagues and the wider community to think act and be gender inclusive.

The forum and workshop will also inform the development of the City’s first Gender Equity Strategy.

1.1.3 Develop a Family Violence Prevention Action Plan for the Greater Bendigo community.

Centre for Non-Violence and Communities for Children Bendigo partnered with Kids’ Own Publishing and Lightning Reef Early Learning Centre to produce Rainbow Fox, a book written and illustrated by kindergarten children. The book is an education and literacy tool to provide a resource for parents and early years professionals to talk with children about gender equity. Rainbow Fox characters challenge gender stereotypes and roles, and promote positive, equal and respectful relationships. A ‘gender equity in the early years’ resource kit is being developed to compliment the Rainbow Fox book.

1.2.2 Ensure smoke free healthcare for children at Bendigo Health.

Bendigo Health as part of achieving Silver status in the Victorian Smoke Free Health Care Services Network promotes and supports parents to reduce children’s exposure to 1st, 2nd and 3rd hand smoke. Continued work will be undertaken as Bendigo Health works towards achieving Gold Status.

THEME 2: ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN

2.1. To support and develop

additional early years

infrastructure and child

friendly environments.

2.1.1 Plan and construct a new Early Learning Centre as part of a larger Community Hub upgrade to Club Court, Strathfieldsaye.

The Strathfieldsaye Community Hub construction is underway with completion including landscaping expected by June 2018. Stage 1 consists of the Early Years Hub, which combines the early learning and maternal and child health facilities. A design for the early learning supervised play yard has been developed.

2.1.8 Consider the needs of small townships regarding service requirements and provide support e.g. undertaking feasibility studies and sharing information.

Following a feasibility study concerning the development of childcare services in Heathcote, a supported playgroup and a.er school care program has been established. Partners include Communities for Children Bendigo, Bendigo Community Children’s Services, Mandalay Resources and the Primary Schools.

Heathcote Community Children’s Services Association Inc has secured a premises and funding towards the development of childcare within a community children’s hub.

2.1.9 Provide, upgrade and maintain facilities to be used by not for profit and community preschool providers.

The City has completed its final two of seven major upgrades of play spaces at preschool facilities, funded via a $395,000 grant from the State Government plus contributions from the City and Early Years Managers.

Significant renewal works recently completed include a program of cyclic painting and floor covering replacement, child amenities upgrade at Spring Gully Kindergarten, replacement combo play equipment piece at Epsom Preschool and kitchen upgrade at Bendigo Toy Library.


THEME 3: ACTIVE AND HEALTHY CHILDREN

3.2. To improve overall health

outcomes for children.

3.2.4 Improve the oral health of preschool aged children and their families through the promotion and support of healthy eating and oral health.

Bendigo Health continues to implement the Smiles 4 Miles healthy eating and oral health promotion program. In 2017 a total of 23 of the 44 services achieved award status in the Smiles 4 Miles program, supporting 2189 children to access environments to improve oral health.

3.2.6 Promote healthy eating through a range of services, programs, guidelines and events.

The City received funding from VicHealth in 2017 to implement the “Water as the drink of choice” project in City owned recreation facilities. Overall the project was able to produce changes in drink sales at all four facilities involved. Signage has been developed to increase the sales of water and to continue the messaging of the project. The signs have been installed at City owned swimming pools.

3.3. To increase participation

in Maternal and Child

Health Services especially

for Aboriginal children and

families.

3.3.1 Continue to provide outreach services to Aboriginal families and encourage participation in the Maternal and Child Health service.

The City provides a flexible service for Aboriginal families via the Outreach Maternal Child Health Nurse to either home visit, meet at Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative or attend a centre. Support initiatives which integrate joint practice, including having agencies regularly attend allocation meetings for Enhanced Maternal and Child Health, are in place.

3.4. To maintain immunisation

rates above the Victorian

state average.

3.4.1 Continue to promote the importance of immunisations to families.

In response to the Immunisation Service Review the City is providing public immunisation sessions at more suitable facilities. The Kangaroo Flat immunisation session is now held at Bendigo Community Health Services “Kidzspace”.

The State Government announced in February that Victoria is hitting the herd immunity target of 95 per cent – its best immunisation coverage in history. The proportion of children fully immunised in their fi.h year of age in Greater Bendigo is 97.43 per cent.

THEME 4: EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN

4.2. To ensure that Early

Learning Services and

programs are a.ordable,

accessible and inclusive.

4.2.7 Investigate and encourage the development of additional Bush Kinder programs.

Three and four year old kinder students at the City’s Helen Jessen Early Learning Centre now enjoy exploring the outdoors with the introduction of a bush kinder program in 2017. Once a week children head outdoors with their educators and learn to interact and understand the natural environment.

A number of bush kinder programs operate across Greater Bendigo, including at Spring Gully and Huntly Kindergartens.

4.2. To ensure that Early

Learning Services and

programs are a.ordable,

accessible and inclusive.

4.2.11 Work with supported playgroup providers to assess the types of support the City can provide, such as relevant transport information and working with new groups regarding accessible locations.

Bendigo Community Health Services and Communities for Children Bendigo have developed a local supported playgroup model and increased the number of supported playgroups to six across Greater Bendigo.

4.5 To ensure systemic

improvement for vulnerable

and at risk children.

4.5.1 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Supported Playgroup project.

The City is working to align the supported playgroup funding through the Early Childhood Reform to the local Communities for Children model.

4.6 To increase literacy and

numeracy skills of children

and their families.

4.6.1 Further develop and implement the Communities for Children Children’s Language and Literacy Project.

Bendigo Health and Communities for Children Bendigo have developed a Parents as Literacy Champions Project. The first workshop was held in December 2017. A total of 15 participants attended training, including parents, carers and workers.

The number of book box libraries located in Bendigo has increased, with 38 located across a variety of organisations.


THEME 6: A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY AND COMMUNITY

6.3. To enable and encourage

children to express their

opinions and to participate

in and contribute to

decisions about their

community and their health

and wellbeing.

6.3.3 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Family and Services Facilitator Project- Voice of the Family.

Noah’s Ark and Communities for Children Bendigo successfully undertook a project to gather the voice and views of parents with the aim to include them in the design of programs and services in the early years sector. The voice of the family report ‘Throw Away the Book’ was completed and the parents for change advocacy group formed to contribute to bettering the lives of children and families in Bendigo.

6.6 To facilitate a broad range of

community based events for

children and their families.

6.6.1 Facilitate a Children’s Day as part of National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week.

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative and Communities for Children Bendigo hosted another highly successful NAIDOC Children’s Day in July 2017 with over 700 children attending including over 350 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The event saw a shi. from agencies running general children’s activities to running activities that supported and promoted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

6.6.2 Continue to implement free/low cost child friendly events throughout the municipality, e.g. Fun Loong Fun Day, Playgroup Victoria Week activities, Summer in the Parks, New Year’s Eve entertainment, Neighbourhood Events etc.

The City is committed to providing a range of free, family friendly events as part of our commitment to the Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter and in response to strong feedback provided by families during the development of the MEYP.

The City hosted its fi.h and biggest FunLoong Fun Day yet in 2017, with thousands of children and families from a broad cross-section of Greater Bendigo enjoying a special fun filled day out. FunLoong Fun Day celebrates National Children’s Week.

Policy context

The early years environment is complex and evolving. Currently a strong focus is on ending family violence and creating a higher quality, more equitable and inclusive early childhood system through the State Governments Family Violence Reform and Early Years Reform.

The City’s commitment to supporting the early years is broad ranging and includes service delivery, planning, infrastructure provision, partnerships and community building to create a child friendly city as detailed in the MEYP.

This commitment is shared with State Government, local partnerships, agencies, services, community groups and families.

Together State and Local governments through the Early Years Compact will work in new ways to improve outcomes for children and families, in response to the reform agenda.

Key local partnerships working to improve outcomes for young children and their families include the Children and Youth Area Partnership in the Loddon region and Communities for Children Bendigo.

The Children and Youth Area Partnership is driving collective e:ort to support vulnerable families and create better outcomes for children and young people in out of home care.

Communities for Children Bendigo aims to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for children and families experiencing disadvantage. This is done with a focus on system change and community building work alongside direct service delivery.

The City is a member of these partnerships and recognises the importance of collective impact in achieving our MEYP vision for early years.

Early years data profile snapshot

Health and wellbeing

• Greater Bendigo has higher

immunisation rates than

the Victorian average. The proportion of children fully immunised in their fi.h year of age in Greater Bendigo is 97.43%, compared to the Victorian average of 95.3%.

• The proportion of infants who received

a home visit by a maternal and child

health nurse in 2015-2016 was 98%, slightly lower than the Victorian average. The proportion of children

who attended a

3.5 year maternal

and child health

check in 2015-16 was 77%, higher than the Victorian average.

• The rate of police

callouts for family Incidents in Greater Bendigo in 2016/17 was 1,430.3 callouts per 100,000 population, compared to 1238 per 100,000 Victorians.

• The rate of substantiated child

abuse in Greater Bendigo was 10.1 per 1,000 children aged 0 to 17 years in 2011, compared to 6.7 per 1,000 children in Victoria.

• The rate of children in out of home

care in Greater Bendigo was 8.8 per 1,000 children aged 0 to 17 years in 2011, compared to 4.6 per 1,000 children in Victoria.

Population

• There is a growing

population of 0-9 year olds in Greater Bendigo.

• In 2016 there were 14,385 children aged

0 to 9 years in Greater Bendigo. This was 13% of the overall population of 110,473 residents which is slightly above the Victorian average of 12.5%.

• The proportion of 0 to 9 year olds with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in 2016 was 3.5%.

• The projected population for 2036 of

0 to 9 year olds is 20,805 in Greater Bendigo or 13.3% of an overall population of 156,151 residents.

• We have identified future areas of high

growth for 0 to 9 year olds in Greater

Bendigo. Between 2016 and 2036 the highest population growth is projected in Huntly, Strathfieldsaye and Marong and district.

Huntly = 144% increase an extra 1,046 children

Totalling 1,774

Strathfieldsaye = 120% increase an extra 1,181 children

Totalling 2,161

Marong – rural west = 96% increase an extra 643 children

Totalling 1,616

144%

13% 12.5%

VicGB 20,805

2036

97.4%

120%

96%

98% 77%

Early development and education

• In 2015 the proportion of children enrolled

in preschool in Greater Bendigo was 95.8%, lower than the Victorian average of 98.1%.

The progress of children in their first year of primary school is measured across five domains of early childhood development through the Australian Early Development Census.

• Between 2012 and 2015 there was a significant increase in the number of

children developmentally vulnerable on the domains of social competence and emotional maturity.

• There was a significant increase in the

number of children vulnerable on two or more domains, from 9.8% in 2012 to 11.8% in 2015.

98.1%

Vic

95.8%

GB

OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

THEME 1: SAFETY OF CHILDREN

1.1. To support organisations, programs and initiatives that promote children’s safety in the community.

1.1.2 Organise and participate in events that promote safety for children and their families in the community e.g. White Ribbon Day.

• A range of events that promote safety are held within the City of Greater Bendigo.

Lead: City of Greater Bendigo

Partners:

• Bendigo Safe Community Forum

• Bendigo White Ribbon Day Committee

1.1.3 Further develop and implement the Communities for Children Early Years Family Violence Project.

• Implementation of the Early Years Family Violence Action Plan

• Role of the early years sector in helping to address family violence supported

• A family violence primary prevention resource kit focussing on gender equity and respectful relationships created (including a children’s book written and illustrated by local children – partnership with ‘Kids own Publishing’)

Lead: Centre for Non-Violence

Partners:

• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo

• C4C partners

• Early years agencies

• Anglicare Victoria

1.1.5 Provide opportunities for the early years sector to participate in targeted training through C4C and in regional Common Risk Assessment Framework Family Violence Training (State-wide model).

• There is greater awareness by service providers of family violence issues and how to respond

• The Common Risk Assessment Framework has been developed and delivered with a broad reach

Lead: Centre for Non-Violence (through LCFVAC)

Partners:



• CASA

1.2. To develop safe environments for children and their families.

1.2.2 Ensure smoke free health care for children at Bendigo Health.

• Children protected from exposure to 1st, 2nd and 3rd hand smoke while an inpatient in Bendigo Health’s Women’s and Children’s Services.

Lead: Bendigo Health

1.2.3 Support early years services to achieve the safety focused priority areas of the Cancer Council Victoria’s Achievement Program.

• Early years services are achieving the benchmarks for Safe Environments, Tobacco Control and Sun Protection.


Partners:

• Early years services


• Children and families

THEME 2: ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN

2.1. To support and develop additional early years infrastructure and child friendly environments.

2.1.1 Plan and construct a new Early Learning Centre as part of a larger community hub upgrade to Club Court, Strathfieldsaye.

• Construct a new 88 place Early Learning Centre, Maternal and Child Health and meeting area at Club Court.

• Additional Early Years Services in Strathfieldsaye.


Partners:

• Department of Education and Training

• Loddon Mallee Preschool Association

MEYP Action Plan

At the commencement of the MEYP, the action plan included an ambitious 124 actions in response to the priority themes. The City being the lead agency for 68 actions, with the remaining 56 shared across partner agencies.

Since then implementation has progressed well, actions have been achieved and priorities have shi.ed in response to a changing

early years environment. As such the following updated action plan includes a reduced number of actions, 63 in total. The City is now leading 29 and a further 34 actions are shared across partner agencies.

Thank you to partner agencies for providing feedback as part of the annual review process.


2.1.2 Develop an Early Years Infrastructure Plan to assist with the City’s enhanced role in long term strategic planning and capital works.

• Council’s long term planning role in regards to Infrastructure and facilities is based on population growth and an Infrastructure Plan has been developed to feed into capital works programs.


Partners:


• YMCA Ballarat

• Bendigo Preschool

2.1.3 Finalise the plans for a purpose built facility to service the needs of Aboriginal families in relation to health, wellbeing, early years services and programs.

• A new facility focusing on health, wellbeing and early years services has been constructed and is well utilised by Aboriginal families.

Lead: Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative

Partners:



• City of Greater Bendigo

• Department of Health and Human Services

2.1.8 Consider the needs of small townships regarding service requirements and provide support e.g. supporting feasibility studies and sharing information.

• Liaison with small townships over service needs, including Heathcote.


Partners:



• Community groups

2.1.9 Provide, upgrade and maintain facilities to be used by not for profit and community preschool providers.

• The City provides, upgrades and maintains 17 preschool facilities for use by the two preschool cluster managers and standalone Bendigo Preschool.


Partners:


• Ballarat YMCA



2.1.10 Provide data and information to businesses, schools and community agencies regarding the priority needs and requirements for the planning and development of new early learning centres/ kindergartens in Greater Bendigo.

• Provision of advice concerning priority planning and infrastructure needs of childcare, kindergarten and other related services.

• Applying for major infrastructure grants

• Endorsing applications and agencies for major infrastructure grants.


Partners:



• Primary schools


2.2 To provide

child friendly

environments

to encourage

community

interactions

and children’s

development.

2.2.3 Develop and implement guidelines to ensure that all new residential areas have safe and adequate walking and cycling networks connected to key community spaces such as schools and Early Learning Centres.

• New residential areas are well connected to local infrastructure and cycling / walking networks.


Partners:

• Property developers

• VicRoads

2.2.5 Develop shade in Public Space Guidelines.

• Adequate shade exists in public spaces and sites can be identified



THEME 3: ACTIVE AND HEALTHY CHILDREN

3.2 To improve

overall health

outcomes for

children.

3.2.1 Support early years services to achieve the health and wellbeing focused priority areas of the Cancer Council Victoria’s Achievement Program.

• Early years services are achieving the benchmarks for Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Healthy Eating and Oral Health.


Partners:




3.2.4 Improve the oral health of preschool aged children and their families through the implementation and achievement of award status in the Smiles 4 Miles program.

• An increase in the number of early years services who are awarded under the Smiles 4 Miles program.


Partners:




• Dental Health Services Victoria

• LaTrobe University Bendigo

3.2.5 Increase the percentage of school children who regularly travel to school by an active transport mode to 80% by 2020.

• More children use active transportation to travel to and from school.

• Provide the Active Travel Guide to all Greater Bendigo Primary Schools


Partners:

• VicHealth

• Primary Schools

3.2.6 Promote healthy eating through a range of services, programs, guidelines and events.

• Information about the importance of healthy eating is widely available throughout the City.


Partners:



• Families and children

3.2.7 Provision of placed based health and wellbeing services for children and their families assisting children to be school ready.

• Bendigo Community Health Services and partners are providing children’s health and wellbeing services from community based settings and linking back to relevant specialist services as required. Families are accessing specialist services for their children.

Lead: Bendigo Community Health Services

Partners:

• Communities for Children

3.3 To increase

participation

in Maternal

and Child

Health Services

especially for

Aboriginal

children and

families.

3.3.1 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Child and Family Liaison project.

• Children and families experiencing high levels of vulnerability are linked to maternal & child health services and other children’s health services

• Greater integration between M&CH Services including other universal services and Family Support Services & Child Protection built


Partners:


• C4C partners



3.4. To maintain

immunisation

rates above the

Victorian state

average.

3.4.1 Promote the importance of immunisations to families.

• Information about the importance of immunisation is widely available throughout the City.


Partners:


• Health services



3.5. To maintain

breastfeeding

rates above the

Victorian state

average.

3.5.1 Support and promote the benefits of breastfeeding through the Maternal and Child Health Program, hospitals, social media, Council website, brochures, etc.

• Breastfeeding rates in the City remain above the state average; support for breastfeeding is readily available; and information about the benefits of breastfeeding is easily accessible.


Partners:

• Bendigo Health

• Bendigo Community Health

• Australian Breastfeeding Association

• St John of God Hospital

3.5.2 Establish a breastfeeding clinic at St John of God Bendigo Hospital

• Breast feeding clinic established.

Lead: St John of God Hospital Bendigo

Partners:

• Families

THEME 4: EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN

4.1. To provide

families with

clear and

understandable

information

about programs,

services and

children’s

development.

4.1.1 Develop an Early Years Guide in a range of relevant community languages to provide families with information about Early Years programs, services and facilities.

• An early years guide is developed and distributed to families throughout the municipality, including culturally diverse communities.


Partners:

• Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services

• Bendigo Community Health Services


• Families

4.1.2 Establish a settling class. • Settling Class organised and established.


Partners:

• Families

4.1.3 Maintain Beyond the Bump program at St John of God Hospital to provide new parents with information about the Early Years.

• Beyond the Bump program continues to operate and is well patronised by new parents.


Partners:

• Families

4.1.4 Seek Consumer Feedback through Net Promoter Scores Service App.

• Feedback from new parents is used to inform services and programs related to pregnancy and birthing.


Partners:

• Families

4.2. To ensure that

Early Learning

Services and

programs are

a.ordable,

accessible and

inclusive.

4.2.2 Undertake an audit of all City owned Early Learning Centres to identify any areas that are not accessible and rectify accordingly.

• Early Learning Centres are accessible for children and families of all abilities.


Partners:


• Ballarat YMCA




4.2.6 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children o: to an early start program (OTAES).

• Children’s access to and regular attendance at playgroups and pre-school supported

• Parent’s skills and confidence in responding to their children’s needs built.

• Parents capacity to support their child to develop the skills required for starting school built (resource kit for parents)


Partners:


• C4C partners



4.2.7 Investigate and encourage the development of additional Bush Kinder programs.

• Additional bush kinder programs o:ered throughout Greater Bendigo.


Partners:


• Ballarat YMCA



4.2.11 Work with supported playgroup providers to assess the types of support the City can provide, such as relevant transport information and working with new groups regarding accessible locations.

• Liaison and information sharing to identify priority outcomes.


Partners:

• Communities for Children


4.3. To provide

professional

development

opportunities for

service providers

and educational

opportunities for

parents.

4.3.1 Develop guidelines and a self-reflection tool for early years providers to assist sta: to better understand and work with Aboriginal children and their families.

• Early years services are culturally safe for aboriginal children and family

Lead:

• Communities for Children – Bendigo


Partners:

• C4C partners


4.3.5 Provide workshops for early years providers to enhance skill levels and the quality of programs and services.

• Workshops held annually to enhance the skill level of practitioners, based on identified training priorities.


Partners:



4.3.7 Continue to support Aboriginal families by providing the koori faces parenting program, family supported playgroup, koori families as first educators program and other support groups.

• Aboriginal families are engaged in various parenting and support programs o:ered by Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative


Partners:

• Families


• C4C partners


4.3.9 Develop a package based on farm and agriculture education for early learning providers and schools.

• A farm and agriculture package has been developed and distributed to Early Learning providers and schools.


Partners:


• Schools

• Victorian Farmers Federation

• Greater Bendigo Farmer’s Advisory Committee


• Department of Environment Land Water Planning

4.3.10 Provide support and educational opportunities to early years providers around the impact and link between family psychosocial disruption (including violence) and psychological and mental health issues in children.

• A greater awareness by early years workers of the link between family psychosocial disruption and psychological and mental health issues in children.

• Strategies implemented to reduce the impact of family psychosocial disruption on children’s psychological and mental health.

Lead: Bendigo Health – Child Adolescent Mental Health Services

Partners:


• Schools




4.5 To ensure

systemic

improvement for

vulnerable and at

risk children.

4.5.1 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Supported Playgroup project.

• Increase in the number of supported playgroups in Greater Bendigo through supporting agencies to develop and maintain supported playgroups for vulnerable children and families

• Current supported playgroups delivered by BCHS and Baptcare maintained

• All new and existing SPG’s are sustainable

• The C4C SPG model adds to the evidence base as an e:ective program for vulnerable and at risk families with young children.


Partners:


• Baptcare

• C4C partners



4.5.5 Establish an Early Years Unit to work with Aboriginal families and children.

• Early Years Unit has been established and is well utilised by local Aboriginal families


4.5.6 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Aboriginal Early Years Services Access Project.

• Linkages between Aboriginal families and services in the early years sector built

• Development of cultural safety for Aboriginal families within the early years sector supported


Partners:


• C4C partners




4.6.1 Further develop and implement the Communities for Children Children’s Language and Literacy Project.

• Implementation of the Early Years Literacy and Language Development Strategy for Bendigo

• Awareness of children’s language and literacy needs amongst families experiencing vulnerability, Aboriginal families and within the wider community built

• Skills of parents to be literacy and language resource to other parents developed (Parent literacy champions project)


Partners:


• C4C partners



4.6.2 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Mother Goose program and provide capacity building for local community champions.

• Current Mother Goose programs maintained

• Opportunities for the further development of Mother Goose Program in Bendigo created

Lead:



Partners:

• C4C partners


4.7. To support

access and

participation in

Early Childhood

Services for

children living

in Out of Home

Care.

4.7.1 Undertake work to comply with the Early Childhood Agreement for Children in Out-of-Home Care and work in partnership to ensure their ongoing engagement and participation in early years services.

• Partners work e:ectively together to provide access to early years services for children living in Out of Home Care

• Increased numbers of children attending MCH Key Ages and Stages, Early Start to Kinder and Kindergarten

Lead: Department of Health and Human Services

Partners:



• Anglicare

• Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative

4.7.2 Work with carers to ensure that children living in out of home care have access to early years services such as Maternal and Child Health (universal and enhanced services), kindergarten and other relevant services.

• Carers of children living in out of home care are supported to ensure that children access Early Years Services.


Partners:

• Carers

• Anglicare




4.7.3 Ensure that children who live in Out of Home Care are provided with a place in early childhood education centres wherever possible. Ensure that these services are inclusive and culturally appropriate; and provide ongoing support to their carers.

• Children who live in Out of Home Care and their carers are supported to access appropriate early childhood centres.

Lead: Department of Education and Training

Partners:



4.7.4 Provide support, advice, resources and subsidies to early childhood providers, City of Greater Bendigo and Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that children living in Out of Home Care are able to access Early Years Services and programs.

• Organisations that work with children in out of home care are supported to enable children to access Early Years Services and programs.

Lead: Department of Education and Training

Partners:




THEME 5: WHOLE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BENEFITING CHILDREN

5.1. To enhance and

develop whole

of community

inter-agency

partnerships

across all

government

and community

sectors to enable

integrated

planning leading

to the improved

delivery of Early

Years services

and programs.

5.1.2 Work in partnership to ensure early years networks meet the needs of Early Years Providers in terms of sharing of information, networking and learning opportunities.

• Early years networks continue to meet the needs of early years providers.


Partners:

• Communities for Children Bendigo

• Anglicare



• Early years managers



5.3. To advocate

to State

and Federal

Governments

for funding

and support

in response

to emerging

needs of the

community.

5.3.2 Work in partnership with peak bodies and community agencies to identify funding shortfalls, infrastructure requirements service gaps and investigate suitable funding opportunities.

• Funding shortfalls, future infrastructure priorities and service gaps are identified and prioritised. Inter-agency partnerships developed and funding applications prepared in response to priority needs.


Partners:

• Community agencies

• Early years managers


5.3.3 Advocate for an increase in the number of paediatricians, child psychiatrists, mental health practitioners and psychologists to service the region.

• An adequate number of health practitioners are employed and servicing the region.

Lead: Bendigo Health (Child Adolescent Mental Health Services)

Partners:


• St John of God Bendigo Hospital

• Bendigo Health

• Universities

• Private providers

5.4 To provide

high quality,

accessible and

equitable Early

Years Services

and programs

which respond to

priority needs of

children and their

families.

5.4.3 Develop a ‘No Wrong Door’ model to enable families to easily access relevant services and enable more coordinated responses between agencies.

• The focus of the work is to promote and advocate for the implementation of the ‘No Wrong Door’ model in Bendigo and a warm referral practice.

Lead:



Partners:

• C4C partners



5.4.5 Provide timely and responsive support to families with complex and severe mental health di:iculties.

• Families with complex and severe mental health di:iculties are well supported by health professionals and early years providers.

Lead: Bendigo Health (Child Adolescent Mental Health Services)

Partners:


5.4.9 Continue to provide accessible and inclusive specialist services and programs to vulnerable and disadvantaged children/families. Providing coordinated care and wrap around service provision where appropriate.

• Kidz space services and programs are provided at no or low cost to families. Services are easily identified and referral pathways are easily utilised.


5.6 To ensure

systemic

improvement for

vulnerable and at

risk children.

5.6.1 Develop and enhance partnerships between Child FIRST / Family Services and universal and secondary early years services through regular discussions, information sharing, networking and conversation circles.

• Increased referrals between agencies.

• Improved partnerships between agencies.

• Increased engagement of vulnerable children in universal services.

• Increased support for children through family services.

• Reduced reports and re-reports to Child Protection.

Lead: North Central Victoria Family Services Alliance

Alliance member organisations:

• Anglicare Victoria (including Child FIRST)


• Cobaw Community Health Services

• Castlemaine & District Community Health

• Catholic Care Sandhurst

• Kyabram Community Learning Centre

• Echuca Regional Health

• MacKillop Family Services

• Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative

• Njernda Aboriginal Corporation


• Centre for Non-Violence

5.6.2 Link the Municipal Early Years Plan with the development of the Loddon Children and Youth Area Partnership.

• The Municipal Early Years Plan is e:ectively linked with the Loddon Children and Youth Area Partnership.

Lead: Loddon Children and Youth Area Partnership

THEME 6: A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY AND COMMUNITY

6.1. Lead the

implementation

of the

Victorian Local

Government

Association’s

Charter for

Child Friendly

Cities and

Communities.

6.1.2 Implement the three Goals discussed in the Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter.

• Three Goals in the Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter are implemented across the Municipality.



6.2. To enable

children to

experience

environments

that respond to

their needs and

aspirations.

6.2.1 Develop and utilise a Child Friendly Cities lens or checklist to ensure that places and spaces within the City of Greater Bendigo are designed to allow children to feel welcome and safe; to be active and healthy; and to actively contribute to their local environment.

• Child Friendly Cities lens or checklist has been developed and is utilised in planning of public spaces.


6.2.2 Ensure that emergency preparedness and planning specifically considers children.

• Emergency preparedness and planning has considered children’s needs.


Partners:

• Emergency services including police, fire, ambulance, SES

6.3. To enable and

encourage

children to

express their

opinions and to

participate in

and contribute to

decisions about

their community

and their health

and wellbeing.

6.3.2 Update City of Greater Bendigo’s Community Engagement Framework to include specific tools / information to engage with children.

• City of Greater Bendigo’s community engagement framework and tools include information on how to consult with children.

6.3.3 Maintain and enhance the Communities for Children Family and Services Facilitator Project – Voice of the Family.

• The voice of families and children is heard and acted upon

• Parent partnership model and frameworks across the early years sector to work with families developed

• Opportunity for parents to be involved in service design and to be advocates on service delivery issues for families created (Parents advisory group – Parent’s For Change)

• Create opportunity for the voice of Aboriginal families to be heard (linked with Voice of the Family project)

Noah’s Ark


• BDAC

• C4C partners


• Anglicare

6.4. To provide

equitable access

to supportive

environments

and services

for children,

regardless of

gender, ethnicity,

religion or

ability.

6.4.1 Provide capacity building to organisations where culturally and linguistically diverse clients are accessing services. Developing workforce understanding of culture and community needs.

• Organisations are accessing training and workshops to help develop understanding and skill base, in relation to meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families.

• Families are being treated with respect and understanding during their interactions with these organisations.


6.4.2 Actively promote our communities and services through various forms of media as a welcoming place for children and their families to live, work and visit.

• Our communities and services are promoted as a welcoming place for children and their families to live, work and visit.



6.4.3 Review Council policies, strategic plans and services to ensure that they are supportive to the needs of children from all backgrounds.

• Council polices, strategic plans and services have been reviewed to ensure that they are supportive to the needs of children.


6.6 To facilitate a

broad range

of community

based events for

children and their

families.

6.6.1 Facilitate a children’s day as part of NAIDOC week.

• NAIDOC Children’s Day is well supported by children, families and organisations


Partners:


• C4C partners



6.6.2 Continue to implement free / low cost child friendly events throughout the municipality, e.g. Fun Loong Fun Day, Playgroup Victoria Week activities, Summer in the Parks, New Year’s Eve entertainment etc.

• A variety of quality, free / low cost activities are available for children and their families in the City each year and are well supported.


Partners:




• Schools


• C4C partners

Acknowledgement of Country

The ancestors and descendants of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung are the traditional owners of this Country.

The City of Greater Bendigo acknowledges that they have been custodians for many centuries and continue to perform age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal.

We all acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the life of this region.

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN...feasibility studies and sharing information. Following a feasibility...

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