Early Intervention

 

What the Australian Literature has to say

 

Early intervention - supporting 'at risk' children and families

Fish, E
The benefits of early intervention.
Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin no.2 Spring - Summer 2002: 8-11, and Online
http://www.aifs.gov.au/sf/pubs/bull2/ef.html

Part of the brief of the Stronger Families Learning Exchange at the Australian Institute of Family Studies is to provide support to early intervention projects, funded under the Commonwealth's Stronger Families Fund. In this article, the author explores evidence for the effectiveness of early intervention.

Fraser, J A; Armstrong, K L; Morris, J P; Dadds, M R
Home visiting intervention for vulnerable families with newborns: follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial.
Child Abuse & Neglect v.24 no.11 Nov 2000: 1399-1429, tables, figures

The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of home visiting as a prevention and early intervention strategy using child health nurses, social workers and parent aides. The community utility of a screening tool to identify families with child abuse or neglect risk factors in the immediate post natal period is assessed and factors in this period associated with the child's environment that predict poor adjustment to the parenting role are identified. The randomised controlled trial involved 181 women with newborns, recruited from a hospital in Queensland. The results from the questionnaires are presented, covering issues of: home environment, child health, service satisfaction, social validity of the home visiting program, parenting stress index, post natal depression, child abuse risk, and prediction for poor adjustment to parenting at 12 month follow up. Conclusions indicate that the ability to identify depression levels, stress levels and coping skills of all new parents would offer a possibility for preventing some cases of child abuse and neglect in the community.

James, M
Child abuse and neglect: part II - practical intervention and prevention activities.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2000, 6p (Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice no.173), and Online (46 KB)
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/ti173.pdf

Prevention of child abuse and neglect involves taking action to stop abuse before it occurs, or intervening after the abuse has occurred to stop the abuse continuing and to help those who have been abused. This article continues Trends and Issues paper no.146, Child abuse and neglect: part 1 - redefining the issues, and focuses on practical intervention and prevention activities. It describes a number of programs that have been shown to be effective. They range from parenting and anger management programs to multifaceted in-house services, and include: Colorado rethink parenting and anger management program; Boston community intervention to reduce the risk of child abuse; Child abuse prevention unit in health classes in schools in Birmingham, Alabama; Don't shake the baby program from Ohio; Elmira prenatal / early infancy project; Project 12-ways from Illinois; and Family CARE project from Australia.

New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Council. Standing Committee on Social Issues
Prevention: Interim report on child protection services.
Sydney, NSW: Standing Committee on Social Issues, NSW Parliament, 2002, 47p, (Report 26, October 2002) (Parliamentary paper no.213), Online (PDF 677 KB)
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/f7d35184535ed9c2ca256cf500775453/ d0737fe32574988fca256d25000c5257/$FILE/Prevention.pdf

This interim report on child protection is released together with the first report for the inquiry into early intervention for children with learning difficulties. A key theme cutting across both inquiries is the recognition that intervening early in the lives of children so that problems are avoided or minimised produces the best outcomes for children, families and communities. The simultaneous release of these two reports is intended to clearly demonstrate the need for a comprehensive and co-ordinated system of prevention and early intervention in New South Wales. The Committee consulted with a wide variety of community groups and individuals, called for submissions, took oral evidence and conducted site visits to metropolitan, regional and rural areas. This interim report provides a brief overview of the key issues and evidence raised with the Committee, and a discussion of the crucial issue of prevention. The report describes the inquiry scope and process, and includes discussion of the social context of child protection, mandatory reporting, the Court system, special needs groups, research and evaluation, challenges facing child protection, and issues for final report.

Wise, S
A framework for responding to vulnerable children and their families.
Family Matters no.59 Winter 2001: 16-21 and Online (PDF 442 KB)
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm2001/fm59/sw.pdf

In the United Kingdom, there has been an explicit move towards greater emphasis on providing family support when there is concern about a child's welfare. Experience suggests that effective assessment is the foundation upon which to configure the effective delivery of services to children and families. Continuing previous research (1999) at the Australian Institute of Family Studies on the outcomes of the UK Looking After Children approach in out of home care in Victoria, the author discusses the value of the UK Children in Need assessment framework for Victorian Family Services. This approach aims to provide effective and comprehensive services to vulnerable families as early as possible within a child focused service model.

Wise, S
How should family services respond to 'Children in Need'?
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2001, 4p (Australian family briefing no.11), and Online
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/wise4.html

Seismic changes in family life are blamed for increasing risks for children. A consensus is forming that service providers need to work more in partnership with families from early in the emergence of problems, and with more supportive services to buffer children from potential adverse consequences. Yet there is no clear agreement about the services that need to be provided. This paper asks whether 'Children in Need' should be part of the strategy for moving forward. The expression 'Children in Need' derives from the UK Children Act 1989 and refers to a category of children who require services additional to those that all children require in order to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health and wellbeing.

Early childhood intervention - supporting children in the early years of life

Cashmore, J
Family, early development and the life course: common risk and protective factors in pathways to prevention.
In: Eckersley, R., Dixon, J. and Douglas, B. eds. The social origins of health and well-being. Melbourne, Vic: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p216-224, table

The author discusses child development in terms of pathways and transitions. She considers how a developmental approach recognising transition points and pathways could be used in preventive intervention services to identify risk factors and avoid adverse outcomes. She concludes that the developmental approach to prevention is applicable to a range of social problem areas, and lends itself to a coordinated approach to prevention, early intervention and evaluation.

French, S
Preschool participation: strengthening protective factors for 'at risk' children.
In: One child's reality, everyone's responsibility: proceedings, 8th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Melbourne, Vic: Department of Human Services, 2001, CD-ROM, 14p, tables

Preschool participation promotes resilience and protective factors for at risk families as well as increased life opportunities for children. It is of great importance that strategies for the inclusion of at risk children in preschool are promoted. The preschool experience also strengthens community networks for parents. There is evidence that promoting targeted preschool participation for children residing in at risk communities results in long term savings to government. The Preschool Participation study, undertaken in North Geelong, Victoria in 2000, found that children who did not attend preschool, or did not attend for the full year, were from marginalised and vulnerable families. These included non English speaking background, single parent families and families buying their own homes in lower socioeconomic suburbs. (Author abstract, edited)

Long, C
0-5 early intervention: home visits and parenting centres.
In: Children, Young People and Communities: the Future is in Our Hands Conference - papers. Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2001, 6p, Online only (21 KB)
http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/cypc/long.pdf

Presented in point form, evidence supporting the economics of investing in early childhood is presented in this brief overview of issues relating to early intervention, home visits and parenting centres. Areas covered include: maternal attachment; early intervention programs; brain development; predisposition to adult illness determined early; the link between poor literacy and health; socioeconomic disadvantage and infants; poor family functioning and effect on health outcomes; role of family and child health nurse; screening and surveillance by nurses; Edinburgh Scale / Women's Wellbeing, use by nurses; new parent groups; child development units; parenting centres; Parent Information Telephone Assistance Service - helpline; key components for early childhood services to make a lifetime of difference; and home visiting.

Ochiltree, G
The first three years: an opinion on the need for and direction of early childhood interventions to improve the life chances of children in disadvantaged families.
Fitzroy, Vic: Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 1999, 46p

The Brotherhood of St Laurence is concerned that some young children from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds are unable to benefit from the educational opportunities available to them at school to the same extent as children from more advantaged families. The Brotherhood is concerned that this disadvantage may persist in the child's school years and beyond. In response to this concern, the author was asked to examine three questions: 1. Which children need extra supports and interventions in early childhood to ensure that low income or other aspects of family background do not markedly limit their life chances? The influence on a child's educational opportunities of poverty, a non English speaking background (NESB), disability, as well as other factors are discussed. Also discussed is education and early childhood development, resilience in children, informal education and the importance of the first three years of life. 2. What supports or interventions are most needed and why? In this section the author examines existing services supporting families with preschool children, parenting education, trends in services to mothers and preschool children in Victoria, interventions for children at risk, and improving educational opportunities for disadvantaged children. The US based Head Start Program is discussed. 3. How can the Brotherhood best contribute to reducing the lifetime disadvantages of children from low income families through initiatives in service practice, policy development or public advocacy? Here the author focuses on the importance of acquiring literacy.

Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne, Vic). Centre for Community Child Health
A review of the early childhood literature.
Canberra, ACT: Department of Family and Community Services, 2000, 40p, tables and Online (194 KB)
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/families/pubs/early_childhood/Pages/default.aspx

This document was prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services as a background paper for the National Families Strategy. It has been designed to give a brief review of the literature relating to the major risk and protective factors that may influence children's developmental outcomes in the preschool years. This has been coupled with a review of the preventive and early interventions that may impact on these outcomes. It reflects research that has been conducted over the last decade and has led to the development of a greater understanding of the importance of the early years of childhood. These sections are preceded by a discussion of the wide range of factors that may contribute to developmental delay and the complex relationships between them.

Tomison, A M; Wise, S
Community-based approaches in preventing child maltreatment.
Melbourne, Vic: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 1999, 20p (Issues in child abuse prevention no.11 Autumn 1999), and Online
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/issues/issues11/issues11.html

In the past, efforts to prevent child maltreatment have been hampered by a failure to address the structural social forces and the community-level factors that impact on children, families and the propensity for maltreatment. This paper provides a review of the theoretical constructs underpinning recent efforts to prevent child maltreatment holistically, and identifies a current emphasis on health promotion strategies and efforts to develop healthy, resilient communities. Three major interventions, perceived to be key components of any attempt to reduce maltreatment at the societal and community levels, are described: early intervention projects, cross-sectoral collaboration, and 'whole of community' initiatives. Overall, the authors support the adoption of a developmental prevention approach, where effective child abuse prevention requires acknowledgement of the inter-relationship between risk and resiliency, and solutions are developed to address the former and to promote the latter.

Vimpani, G
The first three years: setting a course for life.
Childrenz Issues v.3 no.2 1999: 7-12

The importance of the first three years of life is discussed by this author. He emphasises two significant aspects - the role of social connectedness, and the impact of neglect and traumatic experience on early brain development. The author formulates ten principles about early childhood, an important one being the cost effectiveness of early intervention. The attempted linkage of the sciences and humanities, the point on which the author concludes, may well be the key to accelerating the gains in health status for New Zealand children and young people in the new millennium.

Vimpani, G
Health inequalities: the seeds are sown in childhood, what about the remedies?
In: Eckersley, R., Dixon, J. and Douglas, B. eds. The social origins of health and well-being. Melbourne, Vic: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p207-215

A growing body of research from diverse fields suggests that early childhood is a more critical period in the life cycle than was previously recognised. The author reviews research into different aspects of childhood development, both physical and social, and draws some conclusions about the links between poverty, social services and health outcomes both short and long-term. He concludes that Australian policy should direct an investment in childhood development by supporting low-income familes: this would not only reduce later health care costs, but it would also allow us to realise the full potential of our human resources as represented by our children.

Winkworth, G
Putting children's services in their place: a call for universal children's services to prevent child abuse and neglect in Australia.
Children Australia v.28 no.1 2003: 11-16

This paper discusses the need for a national early childhood intervention policy in Australia, including a universal approach to children's services as a platform for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, supporting families and enriching the lives of all children. It considers the literature on early intervention, including the theoretical and research base of successful programs and the link between early intervention and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. It examines the way the child welfare and children's services sectors have grown and the imperative at the beginning of the 21st century for a closer alignment of services. The United Kingdom's 'Sure Start' early intervention strategy is considered in so far as it attempts to develop a more comprehensive approach to child welfare by developing programs which are based on the research. Finally the paper asserts that recent strategies introduced by Federal and State Governments to promote childhood health and wellbeing are positive first steps, but need to go further to seriously address increasing numbers of children reported as suffering harm through abuse and/or neglect. (Journal abstract)

Wise, S
The child in family services: expanding child abuse prevention.
In: One child's reality, everyone's responsibility: proceedings, 8th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Melbourne, Vic: Department of Human Services, 2001, CD-ROM, 9p

Child welfare concerns have drifted to an inappropriate focus on crisis intervention and punitive approach to child protection intervention at the expense of community based preventive child welfare programs. This paper discusses the value of emphasising children's needs within family support programs as a means of redressing the over inclusion of families in child protection systems and enhancing support to children and families. Information from an evaluation of a trial implementation of the UK Children in Need approach in Victoria, Australia is used to discuss the implications for policy and practice of placing responsibility for coordinating a response based on the needs of children and their families within family services. (Author abstract, edited)

Services - the continuing need for crisis-focused service delivery

Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
Community sector survey shows: user-pays on the rise.
Impact Oct 2000: 1,16

Key findings are summarised of the third 'Australians Living on the Edge Survey' of the community sector, conducted in July 2000. As with the previous two surveys, this survey examined key changes in the operating environment of community organisations, major issues of concern to organisations, and how the community services sector is coping. The survey presents a picture of high levels of unmet need and a community services sector operating under enormous pressure. Findings indicate a trend towards user pays as organisations struggle to make up a shortfall in government funding.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The need for and provision of human services in the ACT.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2003, 80p, figures, tables and Online
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/hse/nfphsa/index.html

This report collates data on the need for, and provision of, human services in the ACT. Each of the following areas are investigated: aged care; disability; housing; homelessness; alcohol and other drugs; and mental health. Each section presents data on rates of service provision and service user characteristics along with expenditure data and information indicating an unmet need for services. The ACT is compared with other States and Territories.

Carlile, S
Young families: on the increase and growing, but with nowhere to go!
Parity v.15 no.2 Feb 2002: 16-17

The author describes the services offered to young homeless people, including homeless families, by the Family Access Network (FAN). Over the last decade the agency has dealt with increasing numbers of homeless young families, which poses some difficulties since case management of a family unit attracts funding at the same staff client ratio as for a single person. The author notes the importance of providing timely, appropriate housing options for young couples and families in order to prevent a second generation of homeless families.

Encel, S
Welfare services and the private sector.
Melbourne, Vic: Committee for Economic Development of Australia, 1999, 54p (CEDA information paper no.62)

Government expenditure on social welfare and social security has risen steadily since the 1970s. Despite these increases, the level of unmet need has continued to rise and shows no sign of falling. This paper provides case studies which illustrate that private initiatives in welfare are important and constructive and frequently in advance of government policy. The publication provides information via case studies on the innovative role of non government organisations and their ability to often deliver services in a more flexible, economical and user friendly manner than government services. It also outlines the importance of encouraging the concept of community partnerships, where business enterprises develop links with community organisations through joint ventures.

Nevile, A
State of the family 2000.
West Melbourne, Vic: Anglicare Australia, 2000, 72p

This report draws on the experience of Anglicare agencies around Australia, identifying issues affecting families and those providing services to families in need, as well as highlighting stories of family struggles. The initial report focuses on three broad areas of Anglicare's work: supporting families in their caring role; helping families in conflict; and assisting families who are struggling just to make ends meet. Six themes are identified which have implications for the funding and delivery of services: the complex, interdependent nature of client needs; the difficulties of accessing services in rural and remote areas; the importance of peer support and a sense of connection to family, or group of friends; the importance of developing social networks; the importance of trust between the client and those providing the service; and the need for adequate funding of preventive programs. The section on families as carers includes information about foster care, family support, aged care and disability. Domestic violence and youth and family mediation are covered in a section titled 'Families fighting', while the section 'The economic state of families' covers poverty, sole parents, homelessness, gambling, and financial counselling.

Patterson, K
CWAV findings on unmet need for support for families.
In: VCOSS Social Policy Congress: developing visions for new ways forward: proceedings 2001. Melbourne, Vic: Victorian Council of Social Service, 2001, 5p on CD-ROM

In 2001 the Children's Welfare Association of Victoria (CWAV) has become increasingly concerned that support for families is not available to them when they first reach out for them. CWAV surveyed family support services in Victoria to assess the extent of unmet need that was confronting family support services and to ascertain what was happening in response. The focus was on unmet need as reflected in: waiting lists for family support services; the time it takes before a family can expect support services to be available; what is happening for those families who are placed on waiting lists or who cannot even get onto a waiting list for formal support through these services; the extent to which respite care for children is available as a pressure relief valve for families. The methodology involved a simple survey format that could be completed without excessive effort by all of the DHS-funded family support services in Victoria. The findings have implications for the planning of service development and resource distribution in Victoria over the coming year. (Author abstract, edited)

Pitman, J
Early childhood report.
In: Isolated Children's Parents' Association 30th Annual Conference, Adelaide, July 2001. Sydney, NSW: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2001, Online only
http://nla.gov.au/nla.arc-21515 (Archived article)

The focus of this paper is remote family services, including in-home child care. The author notes that some areas of remote Australia have excellent access to these types of services, but for others, sadly, they are non-existent. The Federal Government, she states, with its 'Stronger Families and Communities Strategy' initiative, has shown a genuine commitment to the provision of these services and has achieved some 'runs on the board' in some areas. An overview of these is provided; attention is drawn to gaps in the provision of services which encompass some of the most isolated families in the country; models used in Queensland and South Australia which serve as a benchmark for ideal services for the other states/ territories are described; and an overview is provided for South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania of services and gaps in services, new initiatives, and issues to be addressed.

Salvation Army
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Poverty in Australia.
Mont Albert, Vic: The Salvation Army, 2003, 42p, and Online (PDF 138 KB)
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/reports/Submission_on_Poverty_in_Australia.pdf

The Salvation Army states that it holds grave concerns for the health and wellbeing of its current service users and those it seeks to work with if a comprehensive strategy is not adopted to address poverty in all its dimensions. This submission provides an outline of the range and scope of services currently offered by The Salvation Army across Australia, and of the extent, nature and financial cost of poverty. Snapshot data are presented to demonstrate the range of basic needs to which the organisation responds on a weekly basis, and an overview provided of the Salvation Army social program experience. Case studies that portray the diversity of issues being confronted by people who are also trying to cope with poverty are presented, and the effectiveness of income support payments in protecting individuals and households from poverty is discussed, accompanied by key recommendations.

Tomison, A
Are we meeting family needs in Australia?
Darwin, NT: Family Services Australia Annual Conference - Connecting Families and Communities, 2002, 21p, Online only
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/papers/tomison10.html

Increasing social problems, such as child abuse and parenting problems, youth suicide, bullying, domestic violence, substance abuse, and relationship breakdown, combined with a greater focus on the quality of family life, have produced significant demand for assistance as families and communities seek external support to assist them. This has occurred as traditional forms of support provided by extended family, friends and neighbours have been decreasing. As a consequence, families have turned to governments and professional supports to assist them. This leads to the question: Are the needs of families being met in Australia? More specifically, is the family support system meeting the needs of Australian families? The answer is that while we're probably on the right track, we currently lack the information required to make an accurate determination, or to enhance our service response. In this paper, the author provides an overview of some of the current trends in service provision that have been developed to meet identified needs. To outline recent changes, some of the key facets of service provision and some promising areas that would benefit from further exploration are discussed.

Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS)
VCOSS 2003-04 state budget submission: enhancing universal access to services and resources.
VCOSS Noticeboard v.16 no.2 Feb 2003: 2-3

The VCOSS submission to Victorian government for the 2003 - 2004 state budget focussed on access to a full range of services for people on low incomes or who are disadvantaged in other ways. This article points out that many services, such as public housing, early childhood intervention or dental health, are not accessible either because they do not exist in certain areas or because they are inadequate to meet demand. The article summarises the position taken by VCOSS in its submission, that services must be affordable, inclusive and able to meet diverse community needs, and that they must be located within reasonable proximity of the community they serve.

A new role for the community service sector?

Cox, E
Creating a more civil society: community level indicators of social capital.
Just Policy no.19 - no.20 Sept 2000: 100-107

The function of social capital in community settings and community organisations is explored in this paper which challenges the community sector to adopt a new set of frameworks for defining what is meant by community as well as its strengths and weaknesses. Issues discussed include: the role of the community sector; why good social capital is needed; why the community sector is needed; making social capital; social audits and social capital; and community level social capital indicators.

Fitzgerald, R
How not-for-profit organisations can create a fairer and more just society.
QCOSS Bulletin May 2002: 12-13

The choices facing not-for-profit organisations and the way they are managed are canvassed here. The author argues that such organisations need to establish themselves as clearly different from profit driven enterprises if they are to be valued by the community and to gain the benefits accordingly. He sees the need for enlightened leadership to encourage not-for-profit organisations to their roles in enterprising ways while adhering to their commitment to social justice for all, especially the marginalised and disenfranchised. He believes that leadership must also be able to build capacity within organisations, local communities and individuals, empowering them to meet and address their own needs so that they are not simply reliant on services provided for them.

Hampshire, A; Healy, K
Social capital in practice.
In: Family futures: issues in research and policy, 7th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Sydney, July 2000. Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2000, 10p, tables, Online only
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/afrc7/hampshire.html

Australia's oldest not-for-profit organisation, The Benevolent Society, has identified the building of social capital as its key organisational objective. In order to begin to marry the theory of social capital with the practice of a medium sized not-for-profit organisation delivering a variety of community services (in the areas of the aged, children and families, women's health etc), the Benevolent Society has done some preliminary work on developing a Community Engagement Strategy. (Given the diversity of understandings around the term 'social capital' and its failure to be 'instantly' understood by both staff and clients, the Society has opted to use the term 'community engagement' for this project). This paper provides a theoretical overview of social capital particularly in relation to social service delivery, and outlines the background, process and findings of The Benevolent Society's Community Engagement Project. The project involved extensive consultation across the organisation, a national and international search for best practice in community engagement, including the use of volunteers, and an examination of some high need communities in Sydney. The Benevolent Society and the University of Sydney are applying for funding to undertake a three year project which builds on this initial work.

Kerr, L; Savelsberg, H
The community service sector in the era of the market model: facilitators of social change or servants of the state?
Just Policy no.23 Sept 2001: 22-32

This paper briefly outlines changes to the nature of social welfare from post war Keynesian provisions to those of the market model in the managerial state, and examines the impact of the market model on the community services sector. The utilisation of community and social capital by the managerial state is analysed and possible future scenarios and challenges posed by the market model for the community services sector are explored.

McDonald, C; Marston, G
Fixing the niche? Rhetorics of the community sector in the neo-liberal welfare regime.
Just Policy no.27 Aug 2002: 3-10

The non profit community sector operates within an unstable environment which has resulted, in the authors' view, from the government's restructure of social services away from the Keynesian welfare model. The authors identify an emerging matrix of ideas, embracing social entrepreneurship, a new reliance on social capital and an endorsement of mutual obligation and reciprocity, which is filling the void once occupied by the now derided 'old welfare paradigm'. The matrix of ideas defines a new institutional order that establishes the fitness of organisations to operate within the sector. The authors' major concern lies with the potential of these ideas to dominate the discourse surrounding welfare services and to shape service delivery models to fit a narrowing framework constrained by neo liberal politics.

Onyx, J
Third sector as voice: the importance of social capital.
Third Sector Review v.7 no.2 2001: 73-88

This paper explores the relationship between social capital, 'voice' and the third sector. It does so with reference to the community renewal of two small rural towns, in Sweden and Australia respectively. It is argued that the community renewal process in both cases depended on the development of eight aspects of 'voice', all of which combined to generate the necessary social capital to make community action possible. The core of all community renewal is the capacity of the third sector to act as an important voice of civil society, to articulate the needs of the community, to mobilise social capital in response to those needs, and to develop new creative responses. (Journal abstract)

Ratnaike, D; Parham, J
Reorientation of services toward early intervention in mental health: brief report.
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.1 no.2 Jun 2002, Online only (185 KB)
http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/journal/vol1iss2/ratnaike.pdf

A three and a half year follow up evaluation was conducted of eight government and non government agencies who received seed funding from Auseinet to reorient an aspect of their service to an early intervention approach in mental health. The aim of the research was to determine key elements in sustainability of seed funded projects. Face to face interviews were conducted with members of each agency involved in the reorientation project. This evaluation was situated in the theoretical base of capacity building and sustainability and focused on identifying barriers and opportunities that agencies faced in reorienting their services to an early intervention approach at agency and community levels. Agencies had varied success in reorienting to an early intervention approach. This ranged from conceptual shifts in early intervention thinking to the expansion of early intervention services. Success was dependent on agency and community characteristics. The findings confirm the Australian literature on capacity building which suggests several crucial predictors of success in changing the ways agencies run. These include the development of interagency links, management support and problem solving abilities. This brief report is useful in identifying factors at a community level which impact on early intervention activity in mental health. (Journal abstract)

Simons, R
Social enterprise: an opportunity to harness capacities.
Camperdown, NSW: The Smith Family, 2001, 4p (Briefing paper no.7), and Online (116 KB)
http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/webdata/resources/files/Briefing_Paper_7.pdf

Research suggests that Australia needs to develop broader skills in providing opportunities, especially for young people, and rewarding those who take up current challenges. How we develop evidence based policies that also help us thrive in a rapidly changing world is the challenge Australia faces. In the face of this challenge The Smith Family (TSF) has begun to consolidate its identity as an independent, national social enterprise. Explaining that the shift required is to become a new type of organisation that has the skills and competencies to innovate effectively in addressing problems of disadvantage and bringing about societal change, the author discusses the focus of social enterprises, entrepreneurship in harnessing capacities, different traditions of social enterprises, and risks and benefits. The Smith Family is taking what it considers to be a needed risk to provide joint leadership in working with others for a more cohesive society.

Vira, H; Piau-Lynch, A
Welfare services for Indigenous people: how have we fared in implementing the Copenhagen commitment?
In: Social welfare and social development in the new millennium: selected papers from the 28th ICSW Asia and Pacific Regional Conference, September 1999, Sydney. Strawberry Hills, NSW: Australian Council of Social Service, 2001, p80-91, tables

This paper addresses the topic of welfare services for Indigenous people. The authors begin by raising the concerns brought up at the World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in 1995 and reflecting on the current status of service delivery for people in the Pacific in making progress towards social development. They also address the issue of how non government organisations have played a major role in the provision of these services.

Forward to What the Australian literature has to say (cont.)