Child FIRST Responding to children and families in need North East Metropolitan Child and Family Services Alliance

1. Child FIRST Responding to children and families in need North East Metropolitan Child and Family Services Alliance

2. What is Child FIRST? Child and Family Information Referral and Support Teams A central intake for Family Servicesin Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra • Support to vulnerable families with children aged 0-17 years, including pre-birth • Focus on children’s safety, stability and development • Flexible responses to meet individual family needs

3. Children’s Protection Society (CPS), Anglicare, Kildonan, Victoria Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) CPS, Berry St, VACCA CPS, Anglicare, Kildonan, City of Darebin, VACCA Kildonan, City of Yarra, North Yarra Community Health, Brotherhood of St Laurence– EMC, VACCA

4. How does family services support families ? • Provide in-home parenting support • Building parenting capacity and children’s safety & development • Strengthening families & reducing risk • Targeted groupwork • Working on goals in partnership with families • Case management & advocacy

5. Child FIRST completes an initial assessment to determine the most suitable service to meet family needs This may include: Talking with the family and referrer Home visit Case conference Information sharing What happens when I make a referral?

6. How does Child FIRST meet the diverse needs of families? • Aboriginal Liaison Worker • Community Based Child Protection WorkerWhen there are significant concerns for the safety of a child or young person • Relationships with culturally specific services • Relationships with a diverse range of community service providers

7. What are the possible outcomes following a referral? • Allocation to family services – for active holding and/or casework allocation • Connections to suitable service • Advice and information to family and referrer • Consultation with Community Based Child Protection …

8. How do I talk to the family about a Child FIRST referral? • Share your concerns/ observations with the family and allow them to discuss their views • Explain to the family they will have choices regarding service options • Child FIRST is a community agency – not child protection • Acknowledge feelings of ambivalence about having services involved • Referrals may be made without consent and referrer identity can be protected

9. What information should I gather? • Information about each child – age, development (social, emotional & physical), behaviour, relationship to family/ support networks, school/ childcare • What are the current risks/ concerns that are impacting on the child? How are these currently being managed? • How does the family view their needs and current situation? What are their strengths and stressors? • What services/supports are currently in place or have previously assisted the family? • What is the family’s cultural identity?

10. How do I decide whether I need to contact Child FIRST or Child Protection? If you have concerns it is important to contact either Child Protection or Child FIRST • Is there a pattern of significant concerns with this child? • Are the parents aware of the concerns and willing to take action to ensure the child’s safety? • Are the parents willing to use support services to promote the child’s safety & development?

11. When would you need to contact Child Protection? • Consult with your team leader and follow agency protocols • To provide mandatory reports of physical and sexual abuse • Formed a belief of immediate and/or significant risk of harm to children and young people

12. Children’s safety and well-being is everybody's responsibility • All professionals working with parents and families have a responsibility for children • Are you curious about the children in the family and thought about their needs? • Have you observed the child and their interaction with their parent? • You may be best placed to help - consult Child FIRST for support &/or secondary consultation

13. What can you do within your day to day role to promote children’s well-being? • Are children provided with the basic building blocks for healthy development? • Are infants regularly attending Maternal & Child Health? • Are preschoolers involved in child care or kindergarten? • Are children attending school? Do they have friends? Are they involved with recreational opportunities? • If parents face major challenges, do older children know who to turn to or ring if scared or an emergency? • How can you help parents to make these links for their children?

14. What other community services can provide support to families? • Family Violence - 1800 015 188 • Family Relationships Advice - 1800 050 321 • Community Health Centres & GP • Maternal and Child Health Centres • Schools – welfare worker, school nurse, psychologist • Youth support services • Child Adolescent Mental Health Service

15. Where do I get more information? DHS Children, Youth & Families www.cyf.vic.gov.au • Provides information/ resources on Child Protection, Child FIRST, Every Child Every Chance Series Child FIRST North East – 9450 0955 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm • For referrals for families residing in Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea & Yarra