Towards a health and wellbeing service framework a discussion paper for consultation

Purpose of the Consultation To request that you consult with your teams and colleagues and on the development of the Health and Wellbeing Service Framework and implications for your workforces and encourage feedback

The HWSF Discussion Paper The Discussion Paper is: a starting point a high level, overarching document about recognising that there are a range of workforces all with their own strengths and abilities and starting a conversation about how they can work together better. about improving access and responsiveness about making the system easier for parents, families and children themselves to traverse. about putting children and young people at the centre of our service system and working to improve their outcomes.

The HWSF Discussion Paper (2) The discussion paper is NOT about whole scale reform of the workforces set in stone We value your ideas and advice.

History of DEECD – why develop a Health and Wellbeing Service Framework? In late 2007, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) was created, joining together the Office for Children from DHS and the Department of Education. DEECD brought together, for the first time in Victoria, a range of services that focus on optimising learning, development, health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people from birth to 18 years.

DEECD health and wellbeing workforces and services The new DEECD brought together a range of workforces and services that: –Work in a range of different settings –Use different guidelines and protocols –Have different underlying principles –Fall under different legislation –BUT, which often work with the SAME population to improve the SAME broad health, wellbeing, learning and development outcomes. In 2008, the Blueprint committed the Department to develop a Health and Wellbeing Service Framework. This provides the opportunity to develop a framework that will support departmental health and wellbeing services to work in a coordinated way to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Health and Wellbeing Service Framework: for a cohesive and coordinated workforce Purpose: To provide a clear and shared understanding of how departmental health and wellbeing services can work in a coordinated way to improve and support children and young people’s health, wellbeing, learning and development outcomes To improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of health and wellbeing services.

Why an integrated approach? Services that work in a coordinated manner will support and improve children and young people’s outcomes through: –Greater consistency in the structure and content of health and wellbeing services –Greater clarity about respective roles and responsibilities of individual health and wellbeing services –Providing better information about and linkages with other services that are available to support children and young people, and improving referral practices –Improving access to health and wellbeing services and the effectiveness and responsiveness of services –Providing more integrated and focused support for children and young people, especially during critical transition points –Eliminating service gaps and duplication.

Who is included in the Health and Wellbeing Service Framework? Improving health, wellbeing, learning and development outcomes for children and young people is a shared responsibility impacted by a wide range of contributors, e.g. teachers & families. At this stage, the framework is aimed at departmental health and wellbeing service providers (detailed on next slide) while recognising opportunities for partnership, particularly with education and care providers.

The Health and Wellbeing Service Framework

Elements of the Health and Wellbeing Service Framework The four proposed elements of the framework are: 1.Shared principles for service delivery 2.Common service delivery domains 3.Stronger relationships and partnerships 4.Effective leadership.

Element 1- Shared Principles for Service Delivery Shared principles for all health and wellbeing services are designed to be incorporated into policies and guidelines. 1.Universal access 2.Focus on outcomes 3.Evidence-based services 4.Integrated approach to service delivery 5.Child and family centred practice 6.Partnerships with families and communities 7.Commitment to workforce excellence Shared principles aim to create a shared language and platform for service delivery.

Element 2 - Common Service Delivery Domains The use of domains is proposed to help identify each service’s core business, which will be used to clarify the outcomes each service aims to achieve and other services with which they should link. 1.Health promotion and primary prevention 2.Population health monitoring for children and young people 3.Early identification of risk, vulnerability and need 4.Early intervention for individuals at risk of compromised health and wellbeing 5.Ongoing management, intervention and monitoring for those requiring complex responses 6.Reducing barriers to learning and development 7.Restoring wellbeing

Element 3 - Stronger relationships and partnerships -An important objective of the framework is to establish mechanisms to strengthen partnerships and linkages between the various health and wellbeing services as well as with other workforces, including education workforces. -Relationships and partnerships are essential to build and enhance delivery of services and improve referral pathways.

Element 4 – Effective Leadership -Strong leadership and effective governance structures will be vital for the development of a coherent and coordinated health and wellbeing service system. -To enable change you need the authority to act, the governance structure that supports it and the workforces that implement it.

Consultation Strategy Consultation period extends until 23 April, 2010 Multilayered: You are encouraged to communicate the Discussion Paper with your staff and colleagues and provide feedback Schedule: 9 regional leadership meetings 2 regional forums of health and wellbeing service and program staff in Northern and Gippsland regions Program coordinators meetings – Student Wellbeing Managers, MCH, ECIS, School nurses and SSSO Coordinators Invitation to provide feedback – DEECD central and regional staff, Professional associations and School Principals.

General Feedback You are encouraged to access the Discussion paper and send your feedback via online survey at the following link amework.htm Fax: (03) Mail: Health and Wellbeing Service Framework Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Office for Children and Portfolio Coordination GPO Box 4367 Melbourne 3001

Consultation - Questions: Please refer to questions provided at Appendix F of the Discussion Paper. Please also provide feedback on the implications of the development of the Health and Wellbeing Service Framework for your service.