monash children, young people and family strategy and ... · profound impact on the quality of life...
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framework 2013-2017 monash children, young people and family strategy and action plan 2016-2017
Transcript of monash children, young people and family strategy and ... · profound impact on the quality of life...
framework 2013-2017
monash children,young people and family strategy andaction plan 2016-2017
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monash children, young people and family strategy monash children, young people and family strategy
ContentsMayor’s Message 5
Acknowledgement of Country 5
Acknowledgement of community participation and thanks 5
Overview 6
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 6
A Life Course Approach ................................................................................................................... 7
Monash Community at a Glance .................................................................................................. 10
Policy Context ............................................................................................................................... 15
How Council supports children, young people and families ....................................................... 17
What our community has told us ................................................................................................. 21
Strategy 23
Our Vision ............................................................................................................................... 23
Guiding Principles that shape what we do .................................................................................. 25
StrategicDirectionsandBroadAreasforAction ......................................................................... 27
Monash Children, Young People and Family Strategy ................................................................. 28
Year One Action Plan 2016 - 2017 30
Priority 1 : Connected and Valued ............................................................................................... 31
Priority 2 : Learning and Developing ........................................................................................... 32
Priority 3 : Safe and Healthy ........................................................................................................ 33
Priority 4 : Planning, Leading and Partnering .............................................................................. 34
Quote? Words? Rainbows?
SafeWe are listening
Bright livesLEARNING
Cre
atin
g
op
po
rtun
ityC
om
mun
ity
starting strong
“I love listening to stories and talking”
(Age 4)
“I love helping my Dad fix my bike
and then going for a ride with him”
(Age 6)
“We love riding on the bike track”
(Age 6)
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monash children, young people and family strategy
“ All of us have moments in our childhood where we
come alive for the first time.
And we go back to those moments
and think, ‘This is when
I became myself.’” - Rita Dove
The City of Monash is a place of great cultural diversity and richness. Children, young people and families are a very important part of our community, with almost half of all households including children or young people. Playing our part in providing children and young people with good life experiences as they grow, learn and develop is something we take very seriously.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce the City of Monash Children, Young People and Family Strategy and the YearOneActionPlan for 2016-2017. This strategy represents a new life course planning approach to connect all of our effortsto give children and young people the best opportunitiestogrow, learnandthrivefromthetimetheyarebornuntiltheyreachadulthood.Itplaces the child and young person at the centre of a strong and supportiveMonash communitywheretheycanbenurturedbycapable,confidentfamilies.
The strategy highlights the importance of engaging community in helping us to shape our actions.Considerableeffortwasplacedonspeakingdirectlyto children from as young as three years through toyoungadults intheformationofthestrategy.Welearntmuchfromtheseconversations,andithas strengthened our resolve to ensure that we continuetoofferchildrenofallagesthechancetohaveasayaboutthingsthataffectthem.Tothatend we intend to adopt the Victorian Charter for
Child Friendly Cities and Communities andto commence the process to attain UNICEFaccreditationasaChildandYoungPersonFriendlyCommunity. The principles of the Child Friendly Cityinitiativeunderpinallaspectsofthisstrategy.
In developing this strategy, we also had some richand informativeconversationswithMonashfamilies. Theyweregenerallypositiveabout thecommunities in which they live. In particular,they view their neighbourhoods as safe and harmonious places to raise a family. They also gave some very clear suggestions about whatCouncil can do to strengthen their local and family experiences.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the developmentofthisstrategy.Iamconfidentthattogetherwewill continue to build a strong andsupportivecommunityforchildren,youngpeopleand their families.
Geoff Lake Mayor , City of Monash
Acknowledgement of Country
MonashCityCouncilacknowledgestheTraditionalOwners of the land now known as Monash and paysrespectstotheirElderspastandpresent.
Acknowledgement of community participation and thanks
Monash Council would like to thank and acknowledge the many parents, children, young people,serviceproviders,advocacyorganisationsand staffwhohaveprovided their thoughtsandideas to help shape this strategy.
We would also like to thank the members of the Project Reference Group: Children, Young People and Families who have who have overseen the development of this Strategy.
Mayor’s Message
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monash children, young people and family strategy
The early years of life
l Development is cumulative, and early lifeexperiences lay the foundations for all thatcomesafter
l Family is integral to shaping a child’s life and it impacts development trajectories throughout the life course
l Strong, positive relationships with othersignificant people in children’s lives are alsoimportant and can enhance development and well being
l Babiesandyoungchildren learnanddevelopthrough play experiences
l Early and sustained exposure to extremepoverty, child abuse, neglect or violence can seriously compromise a child’s development
l Quality intervention programs for children atrisk that begin early can improve the chances forpositiveoutcomesinlife
l Quality early childhood educationalexperiences impact achievement throughout schooling
l Physical health and developmental screening can identify issues early and prescribeinterventionsthatimproveoutcomes
Children in the middle years of childhood
l A time of great opportunity for continuinggrowth, development and steps towards independence.
l Creatingandsecuringprotectivefactorsenablechildrentocontinuetodevelopwhilst feelingsafe
l Qualityeducationalexperiencesintheprimaryschoolyearsprovidethefoundationsforfuturepositivelearning
l Play remains an important experience for children in the middle years of childhood
l Familiescontinuetobeanimportantinfluenceand determinant of life outcomes
l The middle years involve major transitionswhich are accompanied by exposure to a number of new experiences and possible risks in relation to school engagement, peerrelationshipsandidentity.Inparticular,culture,ethnicity, gender and sexuality come into focus
l Challenges can emerge that may impact on social and emotional development and earlyidentificationandinterventionareimportant
This strategy recognises that parents and family have the most significant influence on a childand young person’s learning, development and wellbeing. This Council is ideally placed to have a profound impact on the quality of life experienced by Monash children, young people and families andwestronglybelieve thatcommunities reallymatter.
Families form a significant part of the Monashcommunity, with almost half of all households being homes where there are children or young people. Children and young people in Monash are growing up in a place where they are highly valued,withstrongcommunitiesandnetworkstosupport them to grow, learn and thrive from the timethattheyarebornuntilearlyadulthood.
Conversations with over 600 children, youngpeople and families in Monash have revealed that community believe that Monash is a good place to raise a family. Familiesmadeparticularmention of Monash being a neighbourly andculturally inclusive place to live. Conversationswith community also gave us some very clear ideas about how we can further improve services and local amenity and gave us insight into the issues and challenges that they face.
Local children and young people have told us they value opportunities to express themselves,participateinlocalactivitiesandtoliveintolerantcommunities.
Thestrategyhasbeendevelopedutilisingastrongresearchandpolicybasethatunderpinspositivechild health and development outcomes across the life course.
Introduction
The Monash Children, Young People and Family Strategy presents Council’s commitment to supportingchildrenandyoungpeopleandtostrengthening the capacities of the familieswho raise them across the life course.
We use a broad interpretation of the termfamily which is inclusive of all of the possible arrangementsthatfulfilthefunctionoffamily,irrespectiveofwhether there is a biologicalrelationship.
A Life Course Approach
A life course approach places a strong focus on achieving smooth
transitions through each developmental stage.
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Young People during the secondary school years
l Adolescence is a time of rapid physical,emotional, cognitiveand socialdevelopment.Intensive brain remodelling is underway and thiscontinuesthroughtothemid20’s
l Peer influences become an importantdriver and this can be challenging for family relationships
l Culture, ethnicity, gender and sexuality become strong influences on the developingyoung person
l Adolescence is marked by heightened emotional sensitivity and impulsive actions.Care must be taken to guide and support young people to remain safe and engaged.
l Vulnerabilitiescanemergewhichincludesocialdisengagement, mental health issues and extreme risk taking behaviours. This highlights the importance of early risk identificationand intervention and the provision of schooland community supports for personal growth through learning and skills development
Young adulthood
l Regulation of impulse is more developedand in the process of maturing into its adult form.Thebrainstructureisfinetuningandisresponsible for theprocessingand regulationof emotional and social experiences leadingto the development of cultural, social and interpersonalcapabilities.Theconsolidationofexperiences to this point in life is impacted by prior life experiences
l Commonly young adults experience a series of transitions towards independent living,work,studyandfinancialresponsibility
l Identityformationinrelationtofamily,friends,community and the world are more evolved and result in a clearer sense of purpose, power, freedom and self esteem
l Mental health vulnerabilities can emerge ordevelopandearlyidentificationandtreatmentisessential
Strong communities and amenities
Early Years 0-8 years Middle Years 9-12 years Young People 13-25 years
Strong families
“ Tell me and I forget.
Show me and I remember.
Involve me and
I understand.” - Chinese proverb
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Monash community at a glance
Early years of childhood
l Around 2000 new babies are born to Monash families each year
l 67% of babies are fully breast fed on discharge from hospital. This compares unfavourably to Victoria, where 72.8% of babies are fully breast fed on discharge from hospital
l 44.5% of babies are fully breast fed at 6 months of age. This exceeds the Victorian rate which is 34%
l The rate of fully immunised children in Monash is on parity with the Victorian rate at around 90%.
l Information provided to primary schoolsin the first year of attendance lists therate of kindergarten participation at87.3%. Childcare is listed as the next most common preschool experience, followed by grandparent or other family care
l 184 children received inclusion support to attendearlychildhoodeducationandcareprograms in 2015
l 74 children benefitted from the supportof thePreschoolFieldOfficerwhoseroleis to build the capacity of educators to provide for the inclusion of all children in kindergarten
l 70 children attend a specialist disabilitykindergarten program in Monash
Primary school years
l 15,521 children are enrolled in Monash primary schools in 2016 and 570 children are enrolled in special schools.
l 2015AustralianEarlyDevelopmentCensusresultsforMonashchildrenintheirfirstyearatschool registered small improvements for both developmentally on track and developmentally at risk children when results were compared with 2012 results
l In 2015, 12.5% of children in years 5 and 6 at Monash primary schools reported that they had been bullied
l NationalAssessmentProgram-LiteracyandNumeracy (NAPLAN)2015results forMonashchildren at Years 3 and 5 indicated that 94%were above the nationalminimum standardforreadingand92%and89%respectivelywereabovethenationalminimumstandardfornumeracy.Oneintwentychildrenfellbelowthenationalminimumstandardfornumeracyand literacy.
l Beforeandafterschoolhoursprogramssupporting63childrenreceivedassistancethroughthe InclusionandProfessionalSupportprogramtodeliverhighquality, inclusiveeducationand care to children, including those with ongoing high support needs in 2015/16
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Secondary school years
l 16, 863 students are enrolled in 20 secondary schools in Monash
l NationalAssessmentProgram-LiteracyandNumeracy (NAPLAN)2015results forMonashchildrenatYears7and9indicatedthat88%and80%respectivelywereabovethenationalminimum standard for reading and 90% were above the national minimum standard fornumeracyatYears7and9.Oneintwentychildrenfellbelowthenationalminimumstandardfor numeracy and literacy at both years 7 and 9.
l In2014,98%ofallyoungpeopleinMonashattainedYear12oranequivalentattainment.Thiscompares favourably to Victoria with 88% across the state achieving Year 12 or an equivalent
l In 2015, 13.5% of students in years 9 and 10 at Monash secondary schools reported that they had been bullied, and 10.6% reported being bullied most days.
l In a 2013 consultation inMonash, young peoplewere very specific about the challengesassociatedwithpeerpressurewithmanystatingthat‘youngpeopleareeasilyinfluencedintodoing something they don’t want to do’ so that they are accepted and are not bullied’.
Post secondary school years
l Thereare20,000studentsenrolledinpostsecondaryeducationinMonash
l Around37%ofallpostsecondarystudentsinMonashwereidentifiedasInternationalstudents
l In June 2016, 7% of young people in Monash were unemployed and looking for full or part timework.
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MonashCouncilplaysasignificantroleinrelationto support for children, young people and families in this community, and this is articulated in anumber of key strategic documents.
Monash 2021 outlines Council’s vision and prioritiesintendedtodeliverlongtermcommunitystrength and benefits ‘for a thriving communitynow and into the future’. Monash 2021 references families, children and young people through its commitments to:
l Providing services and facilities for childrenand their families, so children get the best start in life
l Working in closer partnership with health and community agencies on public health and creatinghealthyenvironments.
l Planningforrefurbishmentoffacilitiesforthecommunity.
l SupportingdiversityoftheMonashcommunitythrough cultural development programs and events.
The Council Plan 2013-2017 includes the following priorities that directly impact families, childrenand young people:
l AHealthyandActiveMonash
l AConfidentandConnectedCommunity
l Invitingplacesandspaces
Policy Context
“ To reach real peace in the world,
we will have to begin
with the children.” - Ghandi
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The Access and Equity Framework sets the context for achieving the principles of access andequity,social justiceandhumanrightsatMonash.TheMonashChildren,YoungPeopleandFamilyStrategyhasbeendevelopedundertheoverarchingframeworkoftheAccessandEquityFramework 2013 - 2017. Other related plans are listed below:
Disability Action Plan 2013 - 2016
currently under review
Playground and Play Space Strategy
Health & Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2013 - 2017
Monash Walking and Cycling Strategy
Community Safety Framework 2015 - 2020
Active Reserves Strategy
currently under review
Gender Equity Strategy 2015 - 2020
Monash Public Library Service Strategy 2015 -2018
Age-Friendly Monash: A Positive Ageing Action Plan 2015 - 2019
Monash Arts and Culture Strategy 2015 -2018
Multicultural Action Plan 2013 - 2017
Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan
OtherCouncil strategiesandplanswitha strongconnection to support for children,youngpeople and families include:
Many of the activities that Monash
Council undertakes to support
local children, young people
and their families go well beyond
areas that are required under state
government legislation. It does so
in recognition of its overall vision for
Monash as ‘an inviting City, diverse
and alive with activity, designed for
a bright future’. Services, activities
and facilities delivered by Council
include:
Family Health and Wellbeing
l 9 Maternal and Child Health Centres
l EnhancedMaternalandChildHealthService
l Outreach Maternal and Child Health services incommunitysettings
l NewParentsGroups
l LittleStepsSleepSettlingClinicinpartnershipwith Waverley Private Hospital
l DropInLactationClinicwithMonashHospital
l Infant, school based and community vaccines reaching 5,000 people each year across Monash
l Family counselling support to parents and carers
l Parentingeducationprogramsforparentsandcarers of children and young people
l Respite care for short breaks for families caring for a child or young person with a disability
How Council supports children, young people and families
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l Power Neighbourhood House in Chadstonedelivers a ‘Connecting Teens’ program foryoungpeopleseekingtobuildconfidenceandsocial networks.
l Mental health services advocacy
Community celebrations and activities
l Children’sWeek celebrations and programofactivitieseachyear
l Designatedfamily friendlychildren’sactivitiesandalsoyoungpeople’sactivitiesaspartofthe4annualcommunityfestivals
l An annual ecumenical Carols by Candlelight celebration
l Community Arts Grants
l Word Fest literature festival and short storycompetitionwithacategoryforyoungpeople
l Young Persons Concert Series in associationwithMonashUniversity
l Monash Gallery of Arts hosts an annual exhibition of the best photography producedby young people
l MonashGalleryofArtshasanEducationOfficerand develops curriculum notes for students
l School Holiday programs at Monash Gallery of Art during each term break
l Annual winter concert series including a ‘crybaby‘session
l All 10 Monash Neighbourhood Houses offerchildren’sandfamilyactivities
Libraries
l 6 Libraries across Monash, each with a dedicated children’s and youth library team
l Good library collections targeted to childrenand young people and also extensive communitylanguagecollections
l StoryTimeandToddlerTimereadingactivitiesheld in each library each week
l BabybookbagsforallnewfamiliesinMonashprovided through Maternal and Child Health
l Children’sactivitiessuchasLegoClub
l Schoolholidayactivities
l Study spaces for individual and group work provided in each library each day
l Annual Literature Festival which includes ashortstorycompetitionforyoungpeople
Early Years Education and Care
l 28 kindergartens for 3 and 4 year olds operate from Council owned and maintained buildings
l 32 kindergarten programs are available to around 2,400 3 and 4 year olds via Council’s central enrolment system
l Preschool Field Officer Program, providingsupport to government funded kindergarten program staff to support the access andparticipationofchildrenwithadditionalneeds.
l 15venuesacrossMonashfortheoperationofcommunity managed playgroups, facilitated playgroups and sessional Occasional Care
l Family Day Care Scheme evaluated as exceeding the National Quality Standards, employing 45FamilyDayCareeducators,andsupporting263 children
l 67 place Childcare and Kindergarten service, which has been evaluated as exceeding NationalQualityStandards
l Capacity building for early years educators in Monash based services through provision of 10 professional development sessions throughout the year, which reach up to 700 early childhood educators
l Learning and leisure programs for young refugees and their families
Support for Young People
l Youthactivitiesdeliveredfromthreelocationsacross Monash
l Generalist youth support to young people aged 10-25yearswithasignificantconnectionwiththe City of Monash
l School Focussed Youth Service program that supports students in the 60 primary and secondary schools across Monash who are deemed to be at risk of disengagement
l School and community based personal development programs for young people from senior primary through to senior secondary school ages.
l ProgramsincludingActivate,Volume,MonashYouthFilmFestival,Quiksound
l Coordination of the Monash Youth WorkersNetwork for youth workers in schools andcommunity agencies
l Coordination of the Monash Young PersonsReference Group and Youth Ambassadors Program
Family Health & Wellbeing
EARLY YEARS EDUCATION AND CARE
LIBR
ARI
ES COMMUNITY
PROGRAM
Support for Young People
C o m m u n i t y celebrat ions and activities
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Leisure
l 124 playgrounds and 125 parks and reserves forrecreationandsport
l 80 facilities and120 sports clubswith a highproportionofmembershipbeingyoungpeople
l 3 aquatic and leisure centreswith swimmingschools, squad training, school swimming classes, gym programs and exercise classes for children and young people
l 8tenniscourtfacilities
l Active Monash Grants to support sportsparticipationopportunitiesforyoungpeople
l Basketballhoopsandtenniswallsprogressivelybeing installed across Monash
l Skate park
l ScoutsandGuidesfacilitiesacrossMonash
l Extensivebiketracksystem
Community Grants program
The Monash Community Grants Program fosters partnerships with community groups and organisations that benefit the Monashcommunity. In 2016/2017 Council allocated more than $ 450,000 to specialist services, community strengthening and arts and cultural activitiesthat directly impact families children and young people in Monash.
Monash children, young people
and their families were generally
positive about the communities
in which they lived. In particular,
they commented that:
l they were neighbourly, family friendly, harmonious and welcomed participationbyall cultures
l there were great services for children, young people and families located in neighbourhoods close to where they live
l neighbourhoods were safe and very quiet places for families to live
l theylovedthecommunityfacilities,inparticularthelibraries,swimmingpools,beautifulparks,playgrounds,festivalsandbiketrails
Some issues were identified
and suggestions were made
by children, young people and
families and these have been
summarised as follows:
For families with children aged 0-4 years
l Bettercommunity informationabout servicesand events
l Accesstoaffordablechildcareopportunitiesisan issue
l Moreparentingadvicecouldbemadeavailablefor young families
l Weekend playgroups and library story timeswould be great for working families
l More no cost day time activities for youngfamilies and children to come together are needed
l Staff employed in early education and careshould be bilingual in community languages
l Activities forgrandparents,dadsandchildrenare needed
l More barbecue facilities and picnic tables inparks, with toilets close to where children play
l Attendtobumpyfootpaths
l Parks near Clayton need more playground facilities because there are somany childrenwaitingfortheirturntoplay
l Well stocked toy libraries could be available in every neighbourhood
l There are increased pressures on families due to high housing and living costs
l 457 visa holders with young families are excluded from participation in a number ofhealth and community wellbeing programs. They can suffer high levels of social isolationand loneliness
What our community has told us
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For primary school aged children and their families
l More community festivals, barbecues andevents
l Showrespecttoeveryone,irrespectiveoftheirdifferences
l Someone to talk to if you have a problem
l Access to affordable care after school andduring school holidays
l Parenting advice as children grow up andespecially to support the transition fromprimary school to secondary school
l Support services and extra care made available for struggling families
l Extra consideration given to the situationfacingfamiliesandchildrenwithdisabilities
For adolescents and young people aged 13-25 years and their families
l A more community minded, fair and connected community
l A Headspace mental health service in the area
l Respect shown for individual differences,in particular people with additional needs,minority cultural groups, sexual preferences
l Feeling safe and connected to peers is important
l Knowing where to go and who to speak to when you have problems
l Places to go and things to do
l Betterpublictransportandstationfacilities
l More care for the environment
l Youth friendly libraries
l Parents seeking advice on a range of issues relating to raising young adults (transitions,drugs and alcohol, understanding teenagers, safeinternetusage)
l Better information to community aboutservices and events
l International students can experience socialisolation and loneliness, have issues withgamblingandaccessingaffordablechildcare
our visionFor all children and young people in the City of Monash to have the best
opportunities to grow, learn and thrive in a strong and supported community,
where they are nurtured by capable, confident families from the time they
are born until early adulthood.
ConnectedFa
mily
STRONG BEGINNINGS
DIV
ERSI
TY
PARTICIPATIONStarting strong
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l Childhood, adolescence and early adulthood are honoured. The experiences that children andyoungpeoplehaveand the relationshipsthat they form as they grow will have a huge impact throughout their lives
l Activecitizenship.Opportunitiestocontributetodiscussionsonmattersthataffecttheirlivesis important for children, young people and their families and improves the decisions that Council makes
l Keeping safe from harm. Protecting childrenand young people from harm requires a vigilant and informed community that is confident inmaking judgements and is assertive in takingactions.
l Support at life transition points. Positiveexperiences at the key transition pointsthrough childhood and adolescence affect achild’s capacity to grow and develop to their optimum.
l Life experiences shape futures. The experiences that children and young people have and the relationshipsthattheyformarelikelytohavelifelong consequences.
l Importance of family and good guardianship. Parents and carers have the most significantinfluence on a child’s and young person’shealth and wellbeing and this influence haslifelongeffects
l Strong inclusive communities. A supportivecommunity strengthens resilience in children, young people and their families. Community participation helps everyone feel connectedand it provides a feeling of having a meaningful place in the world.
l Impact of vulnerabilities. Discrepanciesbetween children from advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds emerge early and progressively widen. Strategies to counter the impactsofdisadvantagearecritical
l Partnership responses. Integrated and informed partnership approaches produce the best outcomes for the whole community.
Guiding principles that shape what we do
A number of evidence based
principles underpin our work with
children, young people and families
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Connected and Valued
l This direction is based on what the community told us about the importance of
feeling safe, supported and listened to.
Learning and Developing
l Children and young people have formal and informal learning experiences at
school, home and in their communities. These experiences assist them to reach their
full potential and maximise their life opportunities
Safe and Healthy
l Children and young people feel safe, are confident and have a strong sense of self.
Their physical, developmental, social and mental health needs are supported and
they can adapt to new challenges and changes as they occur
Planning, Leading and Partnering
l Monash Council’s role is to lead, plan, partner and encourage a sense of belonging
in this community for all children, young people and families
Strategic directions and broad areas for action
The strategic directions have been developed from research evidence,
community data and from the conversations held with children, young
people, families and service providers. people and families
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PRIORITY 3: Safe and Healthy
GOAL: Children and young people feel safe, are confident and have a strong sense
of self. Their physical, developmental, social and mental health needs are supported
and they can adapt to new challenges and changes as they occur
l Meet Victorian Child Safe Standards and have appropriate responses in place to keep children and young people safe from harm
l Developcapacities incommunity, familiesandyoungpeopleto identifyandsupportthosearound them experiencing distress
l Monitor and respond to key indicators of health and wellbeing for children, young people andtheirfamilies,includingmaternalandchildhealthvisitation,ratesofbreastfeedingandimmunisation,nutrition,physicalactivityandincidenceofmentalhealthissues
l Supportparentsandcarerstobetheirmostcapableandconfident
l Providecivicfacilitiesthatsupportchildren,familiesandyoungpeopletobehealthyandactive
PRIORITY 4: Planning, Leading and Partnering
GOAL: Monash Council to lead, plan, partner and encourage a sense of community
for all children, young people and families
l Establish a consolidated data and evidence base to support practice, review serviceperformance,buildsectorcapacityandassistwithdeterminingcommunityplanningdirectionsfor children, young people and families
l Deliver a strategic approach to community infrastructure planning and development that works towards integrated, co-located neighbourhood based services that respond to the needs of children, young people and families
l Develop information systems and processes thatwill enable community to gain easy andefficientaccesstoservices,programsandinformation
l Develop strong working relationships with community based services and networks, andsupportstrong,sustainableandcollaborativeservicepartnerships
l Develop and support a competentworkforce that has the knowledge, skills, abilities andattributestorespondtothecommunity
l Foster positive internal working partnerships to ensure we can deliver coordinated andseamless community programs, services, infrastructure and environments for children and young people
l Advocate for accessible specialist services for children, young people and their families with high level, special or complex needs
l Work with community partners to advocate for Headspace and other mental health services to establish a physical presence in Monash
PRIORITY 1: Connected and Valued
GOAL: Children and young people have opportunities to connect with their
families, friends, the wider community and environment in which they live
l SupportchildrenandyoungpeopletohaveanactivevoiceintheMonashcommunitythroughtheformalisationandimplementationofaparticipationandcommunicationstrategy
l Strengthencommunities,servicesandnetworksthatsupportMonashchildren,youngpeopleand their families
l Reach and engage with hard to reach children, young people and families including those who are isolated and vulnerable, those with special development support needs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and newly arrived and temporary residents
PRIORITY 2: Learning and Developing
GOAL: Children and young people have formal and informal learning experiences at
school, home and in their communities. These experiences assist them to reach their
full potential and maximise their life opportunities
l Support an extensive playgroup program network across Monash, including providing for facilitated playgroups for vulnerable children and families, grandparent playgroups and multiculturalplaygroups
l Advocateforfundingtoenableallchildrenandyoungpeopletoaccessqualityandaffordableeducation
l Promote the importance of parents and carers as the primary educators in a child and young person’s life
l Provideopportunitiesforchildrenandyoungpeopletoparticipateinpersonaldevelopmentprograms that complement formal learning experiences
l Deliver and support recreation, arts and cultural events that foster creativity in play andphysicalactivityforchildren,youngpeopleandtheirfamilies
l Work and respond to improving learning and development outcomes for children and young people, with identifiedcommunitypartners
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year one action plan 2016-2017VISION: For all children and young people in the City of Monash to have
the best opportunities to grow, learn and thrive in strong and supported
communities where they are nurtured by capable, confident families from
the time they are born until early adulthood. PR
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You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
2.2
Supp
ort a
nd p
artn
er w
ith
com
mun
ities
, ser
vice
s an
d ne
twor
ks th
at w
ork
with
M
onas
h ch
ildre
n, y
oung
pe
ople
and
fam
ilies
Enga
gem
ent w
ith
com
mun
ities
del
iver
ing
supp
ort t
o ch
ildre
n, y
oung
pe
ople
and
fam
ilies
via
Co
mm
unity
Gra
nts
Pr
ogra
m fu
ndin
g
Part
ners
hip
app
roac
hes
to
tack
ling
com
plex
issu
es
Dec
embe
r 20
16
Lead
: Chi
ldre
n, Y
oung
Peo
ple
and
Fam
ilies
Part
ners
: Mon
ash
Com
mun
ity
Gra
nts P
rogr
am, M
onas
h Li
nk,
CYP
and
F Pr
ojec
t Ref
eren
ce
Gro
up, C
hild
ren’
s Se
rvic
es
Net
wor
k, Y
outh
Ser
vice
s N
etw
ork,
You
ng P
erso
ns
Refe
renc
e G
roup
, loc
al sc
hool
s,
spec
ialis
t ser
vice
s ne
twor
ks
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
2.3
Dev
elop
app
roac
hes
to
enga
ge h
ard
to re
ach
child
ren,
you
ng p
eopl
e an
d
fam
ilies,
espe
cially
thos
e w
ith
spec
ial d
evel
opm
ent s
uppo
rt
need
s, A
TSI,
and
new
ly
arriv
ed/t
empo
rary
resid
ents
Incr
ease
d pa
rtici
patio
n of
is
olat
ed a
nd v
ulne
rabl
e vi
a
• O
utre
ach
prog
ram
s
• In
clus
ive
serv
ice
prac
tices
• Ta
rget
ed p
rogr
ams
• Fr
ee a
nd lo
w c
ost a
ctivi
ties
June
201
7Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: Nei
ghbo
urho
od
Hou
ses,
spec
ialis
t men
tal h
ealth
an
d in
terv
entio
n se
rvic
es,
Bunu
rong
Hea
lth S
ervi
ce, Y
outh
Fo
yer,
Conn
ectio
ns U
nitin
g Ca
re
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
CelebrateSHARING
Voic
es
33
monash children, young people and family strategy
32
monash children, young people and family strategy P
RIO
RIT
Y 2:
Le
arn
ing
and
De
velo
pin
g
GO
AL:
Chi
ldre
n a
nd y
oun
g p
eo
ple
ha
ve f
orm
al
and
inf
orm
al
lea
rnin
g e
xpe
rienc
es
at
scho
ol,
hom
e a
nd i
n th
eir
co
mm
uniti
es.
The
se e
xpe
rienc
es
ass
ist th
em
to re
ac
h th
eir
full
po
tent
ial a
nd m
axi
mise
the
ir lif
e o
pp
ortu
nitie
s
AC
TIO
NM
EASU
RA
BLE
OU
TCO
ME
TIM
E FR
AM
ELE
AD
PA
RTN
ERS
REP
OR
TIN
G
Prov
ide
acce
ssib
le a
nd
affor
dabl
e ed
ucati
onal
op
port
uniti
es fo
r Mon
ash
child
ren
and
youn
g pe
ople
Incr
ease
d pa
rtici
patio
n in
ex
pand
ed ra
nge
of p
layg
roup
s,
4 ye
ar o
ld k
inde
rgar
ten
an
d ot
her f
unde
d an
d
subs
idis
ed a
ctivi
ties
Exte
nsiv
e pe
rson
al
deve
lopm
ent p
rogr
ams t
ailo
red
to s
uppo
rt fo
rmal
lear
ning
July
201
6 –
June
201
7Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: Com
mun
ity
Plan
ning
and
Dev
elop
men
t,
Libr
arie
s, A
rts
and
Cultu
re
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Prov
ide
acce
ssib
le a
nd
affor
dabl
e ed
ucati
on a
nd
info
rmati
on to
sup
port
the
role
of
par
ents
and
car
ers
of c
hild
ren
and
youn
g pe
ople
Incr
ease
d ra
nge
of
info
rmati
on p
rogr
ams,
w
ritten
info
rmati
on, v
ia
new
slett
ers
and
on
line
July
201
6 –
June
201
7 Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: Com
mun
ity
Plan
ning
and
Dev
elop
men
t,
Scho
ols,
Ear
ly y
ears
ser
vice
s,
colle
ague
age
ncie
s
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Exte
nsiv
e in
tegr
ated
fam
ily
supp
ort p
rogr
amIn
crea
sed
prov
isio
n of
in
divi
dual
and
gro
up w
ork
fam
ily s
uppo
rt p
rogr
ams
deliv
ered
util
isin
g m
ulti
disc
iplin
ary
appr
oach
es
July
201
6 –
June
201
7Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: spe
cial
ist m
enta
l he
alth
and
inte
rven
tion
serv
ices,
Bu
nuro
ng H
ealth
Ser
vice
, Yo
uth
Foye
r, Co
nnec
tions
U
nitin
g Ca
re
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Cont
ribut
e to
str
ateg
ies
that
im
prov
e m
easu
rabl
e le
arni
ng
and
deve
lopm
ent o
utco
mes
at
prim
ary
and
seco
ndar
y sc
hool
le
vels
Impr
oved
lear
ning
de
velo
pmen
t out
com
es:
Aust
ralia
n Ea
rly D
evel
opm
ent
Cens
us (A
EDC)
and
Nati
onal
As
sess
men
t Pro
gram
Lite
racy
an
d N
umer
acy
(NAP
LAN
) N
APLA
N y
ears
3, 5
, 7 a
nd 9
June
201
7Le
ad: E
arly
Yea
rs e
duca
tors
, Pr
imar
y an
d se
cond
ary
scho
ol e
duca
tors
Part
ners
: Dep
artm
ent o
f Ed
ucati
on (D
ET) a
nd c
olle
ague
ed
ucati
on p
rovi
ders
AED
C Re
porti
ng
NAP
LAN
Rep
ortin
g
PR
IOR
ITY
3: S
afe
and
He
alth
y
GO
AL:
Chi
ldre
n a
nd y
oun
g p
eo
ple
fee
l sa
fe, a
re c
onfi
de
nt a
nd h
ave
a st
rong
sens
e o
f se
lf. Th
eir
phy
sica
l, d
eve
lop
me
nta
l,
soc
ial a
nd m
ent
al h
ea
lth n
ee
ds
are
sup
po
rted
and
the
y c
an
ad
ap
t to
ne
w c
halle
nge
s a
nd c
hang
es
as
the
y o
cc
ur
AC
TIO
NM
EASU
RA
BLE
OU
TCO
ME
TIM
E FR
AM
ELE
AD
PA
RTN
ERS
REP
OR
TIN
G
Crea
te a
com
mun
ity re
spon
se
that
wor
ks to
pro
tect
chi
ldre
n an
d yo
ung
peop
le, d
evel
ops
capa
citie
s to
resp
ond
to
dist
ress
and
that
kee
ps th
em
safe
fro
m h
arm
Achi
eve
conf
orm
ance
of
Mon
ash
Coun
cil w
ith a
ll 7
stan
dard
s of
the
Vict
oria
n Ch
ild S
afe
Stan
dard
s
Dev
elop
and
impl
emen
t co
mm
unity
sup
port
s an
d in
form
ation
to s
uppo
rt C
hild
Sa
fe s
tand
ards
June
201
7Le
ad: G
over
nanc
e Br
anch
in
ass
ocia
tion
with
Chi
ldre
n,
Youn
g Pe
ople
and
Fam
ilies
Part
ners
: All
of C
ounc
il ar
eas,
ser
vice
s su
ppor
ted
by
Coun
cil i
n an
y w
ay
Gov
erna
nce
Bran
ch
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Com
mun
ity S
afet
y Fr
amew
ork
20
15-2
016
Cont
ribut
e to
re
spon
ses
to
impr
ove
key
indi
cato
rs o
f hea
lth
and
wel
lbei
ng fo
r chi
ldre
n,
youn
g pe
ople
and
thei
r fam
ilies
Dev
elop
and
impl
emen
t in
terv
entio
ns to
impr
ove
heal
th a
nd w
ell b
eing
ou
tcom
es
Eval
uate
inte
rven
tions
ag
ains
t ind
icat
ors
June
201
7
Lead
: Chi
ldre
n, Y
oung
Peo
ple
and
Fam
ilies
, Mon
ash
Link
Part
ners
: Com
mun
ity
Dev
elop
men
t and
Ser
vice
s,
Com
mun
ity G
rant
s Pr
ogra
m,
colle
ague
hea
lth c
are
prov
ider
s
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Hea
lth a
nd
Wel
lbei
ng
Repo
rting
Resp
ond
to c
omm
unity
in
deliv
erin
g ci
vic
faci
lities
and
pr
ogra
ms
that
sup
port
saf
ety,
so
cial
eng
agem
ent,
goo
d he
alth
an
d ph
ysic
al a
ctivi
ty
Soci
al a
nd c
omm
unity
in
fras
truc
ture
pla
n co
mpl
eted
Civi
c Fa
ciliti
es
impl
emen
tatio
n pl
an
deve
lope
d
June
201
7Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: Inf
rast
ruct
ure
Plan
ning
, Acti
ve M
onas
h
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Infr
astr
uctu
re
Plan
ning
Rep
ortin
g
Activ
e M
onas
h Re
porti
ng
Introduction
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Aim of the Youth Plan 2013-2016
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monash children, young people and family strategy
34
monash children, young people and family strategy P
RIO
RIT
Y 4:
Pla
nnin
g, L
ea
din
g a
nd P
art
neri
ng
GO
AL:
Mo
nash
Co
unc
il to
le
ad
, p
lan,
pa
rtne
r and
enc
our
ag
e a
se
nse
of
co
mm
unity
fo
r all
chi
ldre
n, y
oun
g p
eo
ple
and
fam
ilies
AC
TIO
NM
EASU
RA
BLE
OU
TCO
ME
TIM
E FR
AM
ELE
AD
PA
RTN
ERS
REP
OR
TIN
G
1.1
Esta
blis
h co
nsol
idat
ed
plan
ning
app
roac
h to
gu
ide
futu
re a
ction
s fo
r Cou
ncil
to p
ursu
e in
re
latio
n to
chi
ldre
n, y
oung
pe
ople
and
fam
ilies
Dev
elop
a d
ata
and
evid
ence
ba
se to
sup
port
pra
ctice
, re
view
ser
vice
app
roac
hes,
bu
ild s
ecto
r cap
acity
and
as
sist
with
det
erm
inin
g co
mm
unity
pla
nnin
g di
recti
ons
June
201
7Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: Pro
ject
Ref
eren
ce
Gro
up: C
hild
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es (C
YPF)
, Co
rpor
ate
Plan
ning
Org
anis
ation
al D
evel
opm
ent
and
Plan
ning
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
1.2
Dev
elop
a C
omm
unity
In
fras
truc
ture
Man
agem
ent
Plan
to id
entif
y pr
ioriti
es
and
deve
lopm
ent
oppo
rtun
ities
for i
nteg
rate
d co
-loca
ted
neig
hbou
rhoo
d ba
sed
serv
ices
for c
hild
ren,
yo
ung
peop
le a
nd fa
mili
es
Child
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mily
Com
mun
ity
Infr
astr
uctu
re M
anag
emen
t Pl
an d
evel
oped
Prio
rity
actio
ns c
onfir
med
an
d en
tere
d on
cap
ital w
orks
fo
rwar
d pl
anni
ng s
ched
ule
June
201
7
Lead
: Chi
ldre
n, Y
oung
Peo
ple
and
Fam
ilies
Part
ners
: Pro
ject
Ref
eren
ce
Gro
up: C
hild
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es, C
apita
l W
orks
, Com
mun
ity
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
Capi
tal W
orks
Fo
rwar
d Pl
an
1.3
Dev
elop
and
del
iver
ca
mpa
ign
to e
stab
lish
ph
ysic
al p
rese
nce
of m
enta
l he
alth
ser
vice
s fo
r you
ng
peop
le in
Mon
ash
with
co
mm
unity
par
tner
s
Posi
tive
resp
onse
to
cam
paig
n
Hea
dspa
ce a
nd/o
r oth
er
men
tal h
ealth
ser
vice
for
youn
g pe
ople
est
ablis
hed
in
Mon
ash
July
201
6Le
ad: C
hild
ren,
You
ng P
eopl
e an
d Fa
mili
es
Part
ners
: Com
mun
ity, L
ink
Hea
lth, M
onas
h Yo
ung
Pers
ons
Refe
renc
e G
roup
Child
ren,
You
ng
Peop
le a
nd F
amili
es
Annu
al R
epor
ting
35
Playing
Building blocks
EQUA
LITYHome
GROWING UP Co
mm
unity
Growing in Monash
strong together
“I really appreciated the great
advice and support that I received
as a new parent” (Parent)
“My family love being a part of
this community” (Parent)
“No more bullying” (Age 14)
framework 2013-2017
monash children,young people and family strategy andaction plan 2016-2017
Language AssistDirectory
Other languages
Printed on 100% recycled paper.
Monash Civic Centre293 Springvale Road Glen Waverley, 3150 Hours: 8.15am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Oakleigh Service Centre3 Atherton Road Oakleigh, 3166 Hours: 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Telephone: 9518 3555
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