Family Services Bulletin - 6th March 2009
- Victorian Bushfires
- Child Protection/Child FIRST agreement and Catchment Planning feedback timeframes
- Community Service Organisations Registration Update - February 2009
- Evaluation of the Child and Family Services Reforms - Newsletter No. 2 January 2009
- Deferred commencement of the Evaluation workforce survey
- Collaborative Assessment and Planning in Child Protection: The Signs of Safety Approach April 23-24, 2009 Melbourne
- Child Protection Newsletter January 2009, Issue 1
- Respite Care - It's Role in Preserving Families. Presented by Dr. Scottye Cash, 12th March 2009
- The Early Years: From Research to Policy to Practice Seminar
- 8th ISPCAN Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Incorporating the 12th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect 15-18 November 2009, Perth, Australia.
- Australian Fatherhood Research Network: Bulletin 3
- Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Services
- VACRO "Caught Out What Now?" series of informational resources
- Notice of a lecture series on FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) sponsored by Royal Women's Hospital
- Parenting into the Future
Family Services Agencies News
Victorian Bushfires
The Black Saturday bushfires have had a devastating impact across a large number of townships. A huge effort has gone into staffing the relief and recovery centres and now moving into the establishment of community hubs. Thank you to everyone who has helped out. In order to assist the large number of families and individuals who lost their homes or lost loved ones and needing help to navigate the large number of services and supports they may need to get their lives back on track the Victorian Bushfire Case Management Service (VBCMS) was established on the 13 February. The need for this service was quickly confirmed when thousands of calls were registered at the VBCM call centre and at local relief/recovery centres. The community services and health services sectors have responded to the urgent call for staff to become bushfire case managers- thank you to all the organisations that have assisted so far. The VBCMS is set up in partnership with the Commonwealth who quickly deployed social work staff to take on case manager roles. There are over 200 case managers currently working across the state and recruitment is continuing. Services that release staff to the VBCMS will receive funding to backfill these positions. A training program for case managers has been developed as well as a range of support resources that are being further developed each day. The bushfire case management service will need to link in and work collaboratively with local services that can assist families and individuals with their recovery needs. Briefings for CSO's have been provided in most regions but if you have missed out and want to know more about either the VBCMS or other recovery activities have a look at the DHS website.Child Protection/Child FIRST agreement and Catchment Planning feedback timeframes
It is also expected that through various channels you have been advised that feedback in relation to the Child Protection/Child FIRST Agreement (Shell Agreement) has been extended to Friday 3rd April. This is in response to requests from some regions given the current demand on the workforce, the change in work priorities and the desire to consult with relevant key stakeholders. In relation to Catchment Planning given that there has been a long lead time we are keen to keep the feedback timeframe as 27th March 2009 however, please don't hesitate to contact Shantai Croisdale on 9096 2986 or shantai.croisdale@dhs.vic.gov.au should you experience any challenges with this timeframe.
Community Service Organisations Registration Update - February 2009
February 2009 Update for Community Service Organisations (CSOs) registered under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.
Community Service Organisations Registration Update - February 2009 [PDF, 65kb]
Evaluation of the Child and Family Services Reforms Newsletter No. 2 January 2009
KPMG has been engaged to undertake a three year evaluation of the Child and Family Service System Reforms.
This evaluation represents a significant commitment to gathering the evidence to understand how the everychildeverychance reforms have impacted on the safety, stability and development of children and their families in Victoria, as well as identifying a framework for the future.
This newsletter that provides you with:
- an overview of the Evaluation Framework,
- an introduction to the Evaluation Team and
- preliminary advice of a forthcoming survey for the Child Protection, Family Services and Out of Home Care workforces
Evaluation of the Child and Family Services Reforms Newsletter No. 2 January 2009 [PDF, 205kb]
Deferred commencement of the Evaluation workforce survey
Many of you would be aware that as part of the Evaluation of the Child & Family Service System Reforms, KPMG were intending to undertake a major survey of the DHS and Sector Workforce commencing 16th February. However, in the light of the impact of the fires the survey has been deferred for the moment. Consideration of appropriate timing will occur and advice of a new commencement date will be provided at a later date. If you would like further information on the evaluation please visit the Every Child Every Chance web site via the link below or contact the project manager, John Prent on john.prent@dhs.vic.gov.au.
In relation to the deferment of the KPMG workforce evaluation survey and the FaPMI briefing. We appreciate feedback from those who have acknowledged that deferment of these initiatives has relieved some pressure given the current level of demand experienced in the sector and reprioritisation of work.
Collaborative Assessment and Planning in Child Protection: The Signs of Safety Approach April 23-24, 2009 Melbourne
The Signs of Safety approach is an innovative strengths-based, safety-organised approach to child protection casework that was created in Western Australia by Andrew Turnell and Steve Edwards, working with over 150 front-line statutory practitioners.
The Signs of Safety approach is organised around a comprehensive risk assessment and planning framework that is used collaboratively with families and professionals to identify the current danger factors as well as family strengths, and to then together plan for rigorous, sustainable on-the-ground safety for the children.
Child Protection Newsletter January 2009, Issue 1
Please find attached the first edition of The Child Protection Newsletter. The aim of the newsletter is to keep Victorian Child Protection practitioners, managers and interested stakeholders informed of developments in child protection in Victoria and nationally.
It is anticipated that future editions of The Child Protection Newsletter will include a regional section. Regions to consider contributing information regarding particular regional programs or good news stories. Contributions are due at the end of each month so the newsletter can be sent out shortly afterwards.
If you have any comments on the newsletter or wish to provide information for future editions please email: cpnewsletter@dhs.vic.gov.au.
If you require further information, please contact Vanessa Thompson on 9096 7549 or via email: vanessa.thompson@dhs.vic.gov.au. Please note, that Vanessa is available on Thursday and Friday.
Child Protection Newsletter January 2009, Issue 1 [PDF, 78kb]
Respite Care - It's Role in Preserving Families. Presented by Dr. Scottye Cash, 12th March 2009
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. Scottye Cash present on the importance and value of respite care and it's crucial function in supporting families. Full details of the seminar and a registration form can be found in the attached flier.
The Early Years: From Research to Policy to Practice Seminar
Infant crying: causes, challenges and long-term outcomes 2nd March, 2009
This is the first seminar of 2009 presented by the Centre for Community Child Health with funding from The R.E. Ross Trust on Monday 2nd March, 2009
This seminar will focus on early infant crying. Around 20% of Australian parents report a problem with their baby’s crying in the first few months of life and such crying is associated with family stress, post natal depression, and in rare cases, child abuse. This seminar will focus on the possible causes of prolonged infant crying, management options and pitfalls, service challenges for infant crying, and long-term outcomes.
The keynote speaker is Professor Ronald Barr. Professor Barr is the Canada Research Chair in Community Child Health Research at the University of British Columbia, Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC, and Director of the Centre for Community Child Health Research at the Child and Family Research Institute of the BC Children’s Hospital.
Other speakers include Ms Jeanette Nagorcka, Office for Children and Early Childhood Development, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), Associate Professor Brigid Jordon, Paediatric Social Work (Infant and Family) at the Royal Children’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and Dr Harriet Hiscock from the Centre for Community Child Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Professor Jeannette Milgrom from the Parent Infant Research Institute at the Austin Hospital will also be presenting.
Agenda and registration form attached.
Early Years Forum Registration form [PDF, 126kb]
8th ISPCAN Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Incorporating the 12th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect 15-18 November 2009, Perth, Australia.
The Conference is being organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Australia (NAPCAN) in collaboration with the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN). The Conference coincides with International Child Abuse Prevention Day 2009.
The Conference theme is 'Child Abuse and Neglect: Looking Through the Lens of Prevention' in recognition of the need to focus attention on the creation of holistic approaches that engage children and families, communities, professionals, business and governments in preventing child abuse.
Australian Fatherhood Research Network: Bulletin 3
The Bulletin is produced on behalf of the Australian Fatherhood Research Network Steering Group.
Australian Fatherhood Research Network: Bulletin 3 [PDF, 79kb]
Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Services
New website to increase dads involvement
A first-of-its-kind website offering free tools, guides and tips for early childhood centres to involve fathers more in their activities is now online. The University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre joined forces with Good Beginnings - a national early childhood charity - to develop the new website.
The website contains examples of programs, research evidence about the benefits to children of father involvement and a set of training DVDs for workers and parents to view.
The website address - www.newcastle.edu.au/childrens-centres
Contact: Dr Richard Fletcher, the University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre, Ph: 02 49216401 or email richard.fletcher@newcastle.edu.au.
VACRO "Caught Out What Now?" series of informational resources
The Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (VACRO) is a non-government, non-denominational organisation whose mission is to provide support and information for individuals charged with a criminal offence, offenders, prisoners and their families; as well as leadership, education, training and research on the Justice System for the Community.
These resources have been developed specifically for families and children who have a relative in the criminal justice system. The information covers both the practical issues that the family may need to deal with as well as how they may be impacted upon emotionally.
The series includes 4 booklets:
- Caught Out What Now?
- Keeping in Contact
- Children of Prisoners
- Reintegration
And 7 factsheets:
- The Life of a Prisoner
- Caring for Children of Prisoners: Looking after Yourself (in 3 other languages)
- Concerned about the Safety and Wellbeing of Someone in Prison?
- Living with a Family Member in Prison (in 3 other languages)
- Advocating for Yourself, your Family or a Prisoner
- Parents of Adults in the Criminal Justice System (in 3 other languages)
- Partners of Prisoners (in 3 other languages)
If you require further copies, they are available for download on www.vacro.org.au/Information/Information_and_Resources.
In addition, a resource kit and website has been developed providing resources for workers. This kit; ‘Families of Offenders: an instrumental tool for workers’ and other resource material is available at www.vacro.org.au/fork.
Please contact VACRO’s Family Service Team (03) 9605 1900 if you would like more information about VACRO or working with families of offenders. I hope you find the information a valuable resource when supporting the families of offenders.
Notice of a lecture series on FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) sponsored by Royal Women's Hospital
Please find attached a preliminary notice of a lecture series on FGN (Female Genital Mutilation) by the UK expert, Dr Comfort Momoh. The Royal Women's Hospital is sponsoring Dr Momoh to conduct a series of lectures and workshops in Melbourne during April 2009.
Parenting into the Future
A forum for all who are working with parents. Parenting into the Future. How do we do it? What are some of the ways we can work with vulnerable families who are parenting today and into the future?
Parenting into the Future forum brochure [PDF, 167kb]
IRIS News
IRIS Training Calendar March-May 2009
IRIS Training Calendar March-May 2009 [PDF, 52kb]
Family Services IRIS Data Report Q4 2007-08
The Family Services IRIS Data Report for Quarter 4 2007-08 (including full year 2007-08 data) has been prepared by the Children, Youth and Families Division to support Family Services providers' planning and service development. This is a comprehensive report highlighting the impact of and trends regarding the implementation of Child FIRST and the integrated Child and Family Service system.