Transcript Druce

Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies
Conference, 18–20 August 2008
Enhancing safety and wellbeing for children through
supporting the meaningful inclusion of families
facing challenges into mainstream child care:
The Role of the Child Care Resource Officer (CCRO)
Julie Druce
Director of Early Intervention & Family Support
SDN Children’s Services &
LubaTorban
[email protected]
Child Care Resource
Officer
SDN Children’s
Services
[email protected]
Acknowledgement of country
We would like to acknowledge
the traditional custodians of this land
and pay our respects to the Elders
– past, present and future –
for they hold the memories, the traditions,
the culture and hopes of
Indigenous Australia.
The SDN Brighter Futures Program is
• Voluntary
• Targeted to families facing challenges with children 0-8 years.
• Case-managed support to prevent an
escalation into child protection.
• Aimed at reaching families as early as possible
to provide early support and early intervention.
• A single entry point.
The SDN Brighter Futures Program
The program has three core goals:
• To promote healthy development in children
• To promote strong, functional and well-supported families
• To reduce and prevent child abuse and neglect in participating families.
Domestic
Violence
Parental drug &
alcohol misuse
Lack of parenting
skills/ inadequate
supervision
Vulnerabilities
Parental mental
health issues
Child behaviour
management
problems
Parents with a
learning difficulty
or intellectual
disability
A lack of
extended
family or social
supports
The Multi-Disciplinary Teams
*Family workers
*Finance administrators
*Social workers
*Managers
*Child carers
*Project officers
*Administrators
*Aboriginal Family
Support Worker
*Psychoanalytical
psychologists
*Educators
The Referral Process
SDN
DoCS
DoCS determines eligibility
SDN Early Intervention Workers
The EIW contacts the Child Care Resource
Officer (CCRO)
DoCS Early Intervention Workers
The EIW contacts the Child Care Resource
Officer (CCRO)
EIW provides ongoing support to parent
CCRO provides ongoing support to staff
The Referral Process
The CCRO
Sources a child care service for the family
Facilitates a family service meeting –
inviting family members/ community elders, EIW, Director, Primary Educators & the
CCRO.
Facilitates Reflection Meetings to engage service educators to further support the
family.
Supports regular follow-up meetings to ensure a
collaborative and holistic approach to case management.
Childcare is one of the major aspects
of the Brighter Futures service delivery
CHILD
Parenting
styles &
cultural
practices
FAMILY
Respectful
partnerships
STAFF
The Role of the Child Care Resource Officer
*To facilitate the families’ involvement with our
Brighter Futures program.
*To facilitate equitable access into mainstream
childcare.
*To facilitate meaningful inclusion of Brighter Futures
families into early childhood services.
SDN BF family systems model of early intervention
Relationships Building
CCRO
EIW
Family/Child
EIWs and CCROs working together for
children and families
What impact does the role of the CCRO have on
the Service?
Building relationships
Transitions and
changes
Inclusive practices
Good news story