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]
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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.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS PROGRESS TO DATE
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.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS PROGRESS TO DATE
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:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• Early years agencies
• 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.
Lead: Bendigo Health
Partners:
• Early years services
• Early years agencies
• 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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
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.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Loddon Mallee Preschool Association
• 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:
• Early years agencies
• Department of Education and Training
• 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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Department of Education and Training
• 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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Loddon Mallee Preschool Association
• Ballarat YMCA
• Bendigo Preschool
• Department of Education and Training
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Early years services
• Primary schools
• Department of Education and Training
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Property developers
• VicRoads
2.2.5 Develop shade in Public Space Guidelines.
• Adequate shade exists in public spaces and sites can be identified
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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.
Lead: Bendigo Health
Partners:
• Early years services
• Early years agencies
• Children and families
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.
Lead: Bendigo Health
Partners:
• Early years services
• Early years agencies
• Children and families
• 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
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Community groups
• 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
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Health services
• Families and children
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services
• Bendigo Community Health Services
• Early years agencies
• Families
4.1.2 Establish a settling class. • Settling Class organised and established.
Lead: St John of God Hospital Bendigo
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.
Lead: St John of God Hospital Bendigo
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.
Lead: St John of God Hospital Bendigo
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Loddon Mallee Preschool Association
• Ballarat YMCA
• Bendigo Preschool
• Department of Education and Training
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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)
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
4.2.7 Investigate and encourage the development of additional Bush Kinder programs.
• Additional bush kinder programs o:ered throughout Greater Bendigo.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Loddon Mallee Preschool Association
• Ballarat YMCA
• Bendigo Preschool
• Department of Education and Training
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Communities for Children
• Bendigo Community Health Services
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
• Anglicare Victoria
Partners:
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Department of Education and Training
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
Lead: Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative
Partners:
• Families
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years services
• Schools
• Victorian Farmers Federation
• Greater Bendigo Farmer’s Advisory Committee
• Department of Education and Training
• 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:
• Early years services
• Schools
• Early years agencies
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Health and Human Services
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.
Lead: Bendigo Community Health Services
Partners:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• Baptcare
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
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
Lead: Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative
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
Lead: Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative
Partners:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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)
Lead: Bendigo Health
Partners:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
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:
• Communities for Children – Bendigo
• Anglicare Victoria
Partners:
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
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:
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Education and Training
• 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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Carers
• Anglicare
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Education and Training
• Early years agencies
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:
• Early years services
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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:
• Early years services
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Health and Human Services
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Communities for Children Bendigo
• Anglicare
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Education and Training
• Early years managers
• Early years services
• Early years agencies
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Community agencies
• Early years managers
• Early years services
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:
• Early years agencies
• 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:
• Communities for Children – Bendigo
• Anglicare Victoria
Partners:
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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:
• Families and children
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.
Lead: Bendigo Community Health Services
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)
• Bendigo Community Health Services
• 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
• Department of Health and Human Services
• 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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
6.2.2 Ensure that emergency preparedness and planning specifically considers children.
• Emergency preparedness and planning has considered children’s needs.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
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
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• BDAC
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• 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.
Lead: Bendigo Community Health Services
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
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.
Lead: City of Greater 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 NAIDOC week.
• NAIDOC Children’s Day is well supported by children, families and organisations
Lead: Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative
Partners:
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
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.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Early years services
• Community groups
• Schools
• Communities for Children (C4C) – Bendigo
• 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.