D13/0312601

FACT SHEETIn March 2012, the Premier announced that ten Child and Parent Centres (CPCs) would be established on selected public school sites in vulnerable communities. In January 2013, the Premier announced that a further six CPCs would be established over four years – through to 2017. The total commitment by the Western Australian Government to build, establish and operate the 16 CPCs is $48.7 million.

The CPCs were identified as a model for improving access to a range of programs and services that could support families to provide a better start in life for their young children. The delivery model at the CPCs by government and Non-government (NGO) providers, over time, will need to develop into a more coordinated and integrated one to best meet families’ needs.

A key to building a solid foundation in the early years is to make sure that families know about and have ready access to affordable support services within their immediate communities. The Economic Audit Committee (2009) noted that many families ‘face difficulty in navigating support systems to find what they need’. There is a strong need for service delivery reform that brings together Government and community sector service providers, and gives communities the capacity to inform decisions across a range of agency services at the local level. Key directions for reform arising from the Economic Audit Committee Review (2009) recommendations include: increased focus on the needs of families and communities; community sector collaboration and engagement (resulting in the development of the Delivering

Community Services in Partnership Policy); and integrated models of community service delivery and engagement.

The long term outcome of the CPC Initiative is to reduce the level of vulnerability of children within CPC communities – by way of example, across the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) domains, and increase successful transitions into, and engagement with schooling.

It is very difficult, and often too late to ‘close the gap’ between the development, health and learning outcomes of young children, particularly those most at risk of not achieving their potential, after they enter schooling. The intent of the CPC Initiative is to: Engage with families and children from birth to eight years, with a focus on the pre-kindergarten

years. Increase families’ capability to provide home environments that will enable children to thrive in all

developmental domains. Achieve more successful transitions and sustained engagement with schooling for ‘at risk’ children.

The Department of Education is leading the CPC initiative, working collaboratively with the Departments of Health, Local Government and Communities, Child Protection and Family Support, the Premier and Cabinet, and Treasury. A Director’s General Coordinating Committee is overseeing the strategic work.

Whilst the CPC facilities are situated on public school sites, they are for community access and use. They will provide programs and services for families and young children aged from birth to eight years (with a focus on birth – four year olds) who live within a CPC community - including the host school and other public and non-government schools within reasonable proximity. The type of provision could include (though is not restricted to) antenatal education; child health checks and referrals; parenting information and programs; mental health, disability, and psychology services; allied health services including speech pathology and occupational therapy; information sessions on supporting children’s physical, cognitive, language, and social and emotional development; early learning programs with parental involvement, such as playgroups; and programs and services determined through community consultation.

Government Departments are committed to, wherever possible, providing their services at and through CPC facilities, once completed.

The first ten CPC facilities will be completed by the end of 2014, and the remaining six by the end of 2015. The buildings will comprise, at a minimum, one health room to child health clinic/paediatric standards, two consulting rooms, and group room/s, where a number of activities can be provided. In the interim, contracted NGOs have begun program and service delivery through a range of alternative sites within the communities.

The Child and Parent Centre delivery model is a ‘hub and spoke’ one. To facilitate access to programs and services, the activities will be offered ‘at and through’ the CPCs, with strong connections forged with programs and services delivered at alternative sites by both government and NGO providers.

Ten NGOs have been procured through a tender process to facilitate provision at and through the sixteen CPCs (see below). Each NGO has appointed a Coordinator, and wherever possible, they are working from existing school buildings while the CPCs are being built.

Host School Site Location Non-Government Organisations

Brookman Primary School (PS) Langford Parkerville Children and Youth Care Inc

Calista PS Calista Ngala Community Services

Carey Park PS Bunbury Investing in Our Youth

Challis Early Childhood Education Centre

Armadale Parkerville

Dudley Park PS Mandurah Anglicare WA

East Maddington PS East Maddington Centrecare Inc

East Waikiki PS East Waikiki Ngala

Gosnells PS Gosnells Centrecare Inc

Mt Lockyer PS Albany Wanslea Family Services Inc

Neerabup PSBanksia Grove

Ngala

Rangeway PS Geraldton Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre

Roseworth PS Girrawheen The Smith Family

South Hedland PS South Hedland YMCA of Perth Youth and Community Services

Warriapendi PS Balga Mercycare

Westminster Junior PS Westminster The Smith Family

Wilson Park PS Collie Investing in Our Youth

The CPC Coordinators are collaborating with local stakeholders and Local Advisory Committees to identify programs and services required in the community. Whilst there is some funding to provide new services, the bulk of the work will be better coordination and access to existing programs and services.

For Further InformationPrincipal Project ConsultantsMr Jeremy Woodward 9264 4747Ms Jane Roberts 9264 5163Ms Sandy Freimond 9264 5769

Manager Special ProjectsMs Robyn Kinkade 9264 5466