GO GOLDFIELDS

A New Role for Local Government in Social Change

Introduction

• Where we are

• Who we are

• What we were faced with

• What we are doing

• What we have learnt so far…

Where we are

Who we are

Go Goldfields Alliance:– Social reform in action– Alliance with governance through section 86 committee of

the LG Act– Working together to find solutions where previous

solutions haven’t worked– Includes all sectors

Vision: Our community aspiring, achieving and living a full life

What we were faced with….2009• 79th of 79 shires in Victoria• 60% children starting school require SP• Highest CP reporting, re-reporting and out of home care

in the region• High levels youth unemployment • Lowest levels post secondary qualifications in state• Despite significant resourcing in the shire, nothing was

changing The stats of the shire was the story of the shire

What we are doingFocused on Community Outcomes

2015-2017•Outcomes refined

Positive life experience, language, literacyParenting skills and confidenceCommunity confidence and system response to family violenceYouth and families education and training, employment outcomesMental and physical health outcomes

ValuesAlign Principles and Practice, ‘forms’ will follow

• Empowering parents, youth and families• Listening and acting on community knowledge• Child, youth centered, family friendly • Providing access and quality services in the most appropriate

setting • Delivering services in a non-judgemental way• Fostering action and accountability against the desired outcomes• Utilising best available evidence• Building on longer-term sustainability• Prioritising prevention and early intervention

Service Focus: Holistic Approach

• Shire wide strategies– Community cultural

change– Services cultural

change– Engagement of

leadership– Engagement of

community

Place Based: Go Goldfields Best Start Strong Families A Suite of Integrated Strategies for Improving Outcomes for Children

Mothers' Group

Immediate post-natal BF

Mentoring / Role Modelling

Early Education

Normalise Public BF

Social marketing / key

messages

Engage community including insular families of 0 - 8

year olds in community activity

and to servicesEmbed

community art throughout all children and

family activities

Co-ordinate use of communities

facilities and spaces

Deliver "One Family, One Plan"

Service Providers skilled to work from Common

Understanding / Approaches

Stronger families through

Reinforcement of Social Norms

Better use Existing Networks

Integrated Communication Development

Approach Services Transfer Information

Early Years Settings all have a C&L Focus

Integrated Literacy Approach

Strong Communities

Breastfeeding Communication, Literacy & Numeracy

Strong & Safe Families

CommunityStrong

Supportive

ChildrenSafe & healthyDeveloping well

FamiliesConfidentCapableResilient

Schools & ServicesResponsive

Effective

What we have learnt so far…Facilitate:• Plan, design solutions

locally• Holistic: Outcome focus• Effective governance

Strength based• Place-based/Collective

impact• Client/recipient

involvement/control• Evaluation Focus on

outcomes• Readiness community • Resourced

What has not worked

Things that Hinder:• Funding and service Agreements• Organisational focus• Capacity to collaborate• Generalist vs Specialist roles• Increasing regionalisation of services• ‘New thinking’ in the work makes it hard to

communicate.• Government restructuring/upheaval

Where from here..

• Developed evidence based, fully costed strategy for 2015-2017

• Organisations increasing challenge to change how they do what they do

• Greater engagement of Business community