Tweddle is a statewide early intervention and prevention health service, situated in Footscray, Victoria, Australia.

1. Annual Report
2011 - 2012

2. Contents
About Tweddle 1
Key Partnership 3
Highlights of 2011-12 3
Delivery of the Strategic Plan 4
Leadership Report 6
Services 8
Psychology Service 11
Social Work Program 14
Community Programs 15
Research 20
Corporate Report 21
Quality 24
Declarations and Compliance Reports 27
Organisational Chart 30
Governance and Accountability 31
Tweddle Board Members 32
Thank you to our Donors 33
Life Governors 34
Disclosure Index and Attestations Attached as Appendix. 1 in Financials

3. About Tweddle 1
Our Vision
Happy, healthy families raising children with the best
chance of positive early childhood development in a
supportive family environment.
Our Purpose
Tweddle is a statewide early intervention and prevention health service.
Tweddle will provide parenting support to families during pregnancy and with children from birth to school
age, resident in the north and west of Victoria.
As a result of our work families:
Acquire sound parenting skills
Develop parenting confidence
Improve health and early childhood development outcomes
Enhance relationships and attachment
Connect to support networks in their local communities
Families receive services that are collaborative, accountable, evidence based and subject to external
evaluation and national accreditation.
Our highest priority is to provide assistance to families that are facing multiple challenges and are in urgent
need of therapeutic support and intervention. These challenges are commonly underpinned by isolation
compounded by health issues, addiction, family instability and violence, sleep deprivation, feelings of being
unable to cope and the complexities that can arise from financial stress, age, ethnicity and other factors.
Our Values
Family focus
Cooperation and openness
Respect
Treating people equally
Community connectedness
Creativity and learning

4. 2 3
Our Services Key Partnerships
A publicly funded early parenting centre, Tweddle provides a range of services to families with children up to school age. Action Words Maribyrnong City Council
Services are delivered in partnership with other organisations and directly in the community. Anglicare Victoria MediaWise Pty Ltd
Australian Association of Parenting and Child Health Inc Melbourne Assessment Prison
Tweddle services include: Berry Street - including Take 2 Melbourne City Mission
Baptcare Family Services Melbourne Remand Centre
Residential parenting programs Brimbank City Council Melton Shire Council
Brimbank Early Years Alliance Mercy Health O’Connell Family Services
Parenting assessment and skill development service for child protection clients Centre For Excellence in Child Welfare Monash University - Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology
Cobaw Community Health Ngala Family Services, Western Australia
Outreach/in-home support services Dame Phyllis Frost Centre North Western Welfare Alliance
Drug Health Services Western Health Parenting Research Centre
Psychology services - group and individual support and counselling PivotWest – Macedon Ranges and North Western Medicare Local
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Department of Families, Housing Indigenous and Community Port Phillip Prison
Social support services
Services and Indigenous Affairs Queen Elizabeth Centre
Department of Health Queen Elizabeth 11 Centre, ACT
Childbirth preparation programs
Department of Human Services Radno Pty Ltd
Djerriwarrh Health Services - Melton Health Service R E Ross Trust
Community based day programs
ECMS Ltd RMIT
The Gathering Place Royal Children’s Hospital - Centre for Community Child Health
Therapeutic support including group programs
Goulburn Family Services Royal Women’s Hospital
In-home breastfeeding support Goulburn Valley Health Services Rumbalara Family Services
Hobson’s Bay City Council St John of God Hospital Geelong - The Raphael Centre
Parenting support for families with children with special needs Hume City Council The Smith Family
Ian Potter Foundation Terang and Mortlake District Health Services
Parenting advice and support including advanced through web ISIS Primary Care VACCA
and social media The Jean Hailes Foundation - Monash University Victorian Women’s Trust
Karitane, New South Wales Victoria University
Advocacy on key parenting issues facing families Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society - University of Melbourne Western Bulldogs
in our community Kildonan Uniting Care Western Health
Kyneton Hospital William Angliss Trust
La Trobe University William Buckland Foundation
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Women’s Health West
MacKillop Family Services Wyndham City Council
Maribyrnong Early Years Alliance
Highlights of 2011- 2012
The establishment of an action plan for working with Aboriginal communities and families
The board and staff undertook cultural competence training to enable better support for Aboriginal families
Inaugural all-EPC-staff forum highlighting practice and celebrating role in supporting young families
Release of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry Report – strong support for early parenting services
Commencement of services in partnership with Western Health for the provision of community based childbirth education
Roll out of new complete client electronic record system (TWEQ) in partnership with QEC
Further revision of model of clinical practice
Accreditation – Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) and Community Service Organisation (CSO)
accreditation under the Victorian Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
Completion of board funded day stay research by the Jean Hailes Foundation
Completion of NHMRC funded study into the effectiveness of residential services by the Jean Hailes Foundation
Completion of PlaySteps pilot and evaluation
Completion of the pilot project to provide parenting skill development and support during supervised access
Closure of the Brimbank day program delivered to Vietnamese families

5. 2 3
Our Services Key Partnerships
A publicly funded early parenting centre, Tweddle provides a range of services to families with children up to school age. Action Words Maribyrnong City Council
Services are delivered in partnership with other organisations and directly in the community. Anglicare Victoria MediaWise Pty Ltd
Australian Association of Parenting and Child Health Inc Melbourne Assessment Prison
Tweddle services include: Berry Street - including Take 2 Melbourne City Mission
Baptcare Family Services Melbourne Remand Centre
Residential parenting programs Brimbank City Council Melton Shire Council
Brimbank Early Years Alliance Mercy Health O’Connell Family Services
Parenting assessment and skill development service for child protection clients Centre For Excellence in Child Welfare Monash University - Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology
Cobaw Community Health Ngala Family Services, Western Australia
Outreach/in-home support services Dame Phyllis Frost Centre North Western Welfare Alliance
Drug Health Services Western Health Parenting Research Centre
Psychology services - group and individual support and counselling PivotWest – Macedon Ranges and North Western Medicare Local
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Department of Families, Housing Indigenous and Community Port Phillip Prison
Social support services
Services and Indigenous Affairs Queen Elizabeth Centre
Department of Health Queen Elizabeth 11 Centre, ACT
Childbirth preparation programs
Department of Human Services Radno Pty Ltd
Djerriwarrh Health Services - Melton Health Service R E Ross Trust
Community based day programs
ECMS Ltd RMIT
The Gathering Place Royal Children’s Hospital - Centre for Community Child Health
Therapeutic support including group programs
Goulburn Family Services Royal Women’s Hospital
In-home breastfeeding support Goulburn Valley Health Services Rumbalara Family Services
Hobson’s Bay City Council St John of God Hospital Geelong - The Raphael Centre
Parenting support for families with children with special needs Hume City Council The Smith Family
Ian Potter Foundation Terang and Mortlake District Health Services
Parenting advice and support including advanced through web ISIS Primary Care VACCA
and social media The Jean Hailes Foundation - Monash University Victorian Women’s Trust
Karitane, New South Wales Victoria University
Advocacy on key parenting issues facing families Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society - University of Melbourne Western Bulldogs
in our community Kildonan Uniting Care Western Health
Kyneton Hospital William Angliss Trust
La Trobe University William Buckland Foundation
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Women’s Health West
MacKillop Family Services Wyndham City Council
Maribyrnong Early Years Alliance
Highlights of 2011- 2012
The establishment of an action plan for working with Aboriginal communities and families
The board and staff undertook cultural competence training to enable better support for Aboriginal families
Inaugural all-EPC-staff forum highlighting practice and celebrating role in supporting young families
Release of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry Report – strong support for early parenting services
Commencement of services in partnership with Western Health for the provision of community based childbirth education
Roll out of new complete client electronic record system (TWEQ) in partnership with QEC
Further revision of model of clinical practice
Accreditation – Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) and Community Service Organisation (CSO)
accreditation under the Victorian Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
Completion of board funded day stay research by the Jean Hailes Foundation
Completion of NHMRC funded study into the effectiveness of residential services by the Jean Hailes Foundation
Completion of PlaySteps pilot and evaluation
Completion of the pilot project to provide parenting skill development and support during supervised access
Closure of the Brimbank day program delivered to Vietnamese families

6. 4
Delivery of the Strategic Plan 5
Strategic Goal Activity/Objective 11-12 Outputs 12-13 The Way Ahead Strategic Goal Activity/Objective 11-12 Outputs 12-13 The Way Ahead
Research People
Deliver comprehensive Implement a three year ‘PlaySteps’ pilot with QEC, O’Connell Implementation of a new model to Grow Capacity of our Strategy Aboriginal cultural competence training Undertake major investment in
parenting research rolling research program and Tweddle completed and Parenting cost effectively undertake research People for all staff. professional development for all staff
and evidence based Research Centre Evaluation Report submitted and development Staff achievement awards presented and to support the implementation
models of service of the 2012-17 strategic plan
Pilot in-home parenting support provided Commence research with Deakin Reviewed and updated policies & practices:
Establish and extend to the Hume Moreland ChildFirst agencies University into the effectiveness of
relationships with tertiary completed. Evaluation of the partnership community based breastfeeding Recruitment and selection
institutions undertaken with University of Melbourne programs
Grievance procedures
Pilot project completed – parenting Managing bullying and harassment in
support and skill development during the workplace
supervised access has been completed
Formal evaluation undertaken with Occupational Health and Safety
Monash University Reviewed and re-established employee
assistance program
NHMRC funded study by the Jean Hailes
Foundation completed Professional Development Programs in:
Establishment of new research Group therapeutic programs
partnership with Deakin University (eg NCast training)
Board funded day stay research completed Handling difficult & aggressive clients.
Clinical practice model
Completion of the formal Tweddle
LaTrobe research partnership OHS and managers
Research plan delivered. New plan Training for users in new system
developed and agreed
Innovation
5 papers accepted for publication. Provide Value Through Practice Development Participated in state wide review and made With the roll out of TWEQ establish
Change joint early parenting sector submission to benchmarking studies with QEC
Pilots and trials the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable
Children Inquiry Further extend collaborative practice
Services
Repositioned Tweddle@Home to deliver nationally especially through the
Extend services to Provide a range of Establish new services integrated with Established collaborative partnerships with
services through employers as part of Australian Association of Parenting
meet community services to meet other community and health services in Queen Elizabeth Centre and O’Connell to
employer parenting support packages/ and Child Health Inc (AAPCH)
demand diverse and changing at least 2 regional centres deliver specialist early parenting support:
community needs employee benefits
Expand services provided in Barwon PlaySteps
Commenced community based child region
birth education for Melbourne’s West in Shared services in information technology
partnership with Western Health Infrastructure
Provide facilities and Information Developed and commissioned customised Work with Government to create
Closure of Brimbank daystay program systems that support management software for fully electronic client record options for the development of
the future of Tweddle system – shared investment and partnership facilities and services
Completion of ChildFIRST pilot in Hume with QEC
Moreland region Completion of roofing repairs to
New presence of Tweddle on Facebook, minimise risk of future storm water
Twitter, SlideShare and Flickr together with an inundation
General clinical Further revised clinical model and Commence new services to meet agreed social media strategy
practice strengthened referral pathways to and needs of all family members
from specialist programs to meet Management of three further storm water
identified needs Deliver PlaySteps programs on an events with associated water damage,
ongoing basis electrical and safety issues
Curriculum for a new dad’s program
developed Significant improvement works completed on
residential unit foundations
Day Stay programs Finalisation of day stay research in May Based on day stay research findings,
2012. Review of service mix as a result review focus of community based
Environmental Reviewed Tweddle environment plan and Review further options to minimise
of research findings commenced services and the service mix of centre
management associated communications plan energy usage and costs
based and home based services
Targets set for waste and energy reduction –
Psychology Services Worked with Department of Health and Develop and implement a business plan reported to executive and board and
Medicare Locals to develop partnerships to grow perinatal mental health support included as part of annual report
and service models for perinatal health programs to families
All staff environmental communications
Provision of more intensive clinical plan implemented
support to families during and post
admission Implementation of a range of education
and infrastructure initiatives to reduce
Routine screening of mothers and fathers paper usage
for depression as part of admissions
process and provide service support Introduce a staff environmental
as needed achievement award.
Governance Development of 2012-2017 strategic plan
Electronic Service Roll out of TWEQ – a complete electronic Maximise benefits of TWEQ and social New board performance assessment tool
Delivery health information system media presence implemented
Developed and implemented a new Established new partnerships with family
Partnerships and National partnerships Development and signing of formal
communications plan and a social service agencies and research institutes
Positioning MOU with the Gathering Place and
media strategy
Develop our reputation Rumbalara
Held first ever combined EPC conference
and partnerships
all Victorian early parenting professionals
Endorsement by the Gathering Place of
action plan for Tweddle working with
Aboriginal families

7. 4
Delivery of the Strategic Plan 5
Strategic Goal Activity/Objective 11-12 Outputs 12-13 The Way Ahead Strategic Goal Activity/Objective 11-12 Outputs 12-13 The Way Ahead
Research People
Deliver comprehensive Implement a three year ‘PlaySteps’ pilot with QEC, O’Connell Implementation of a new model to Grow Capacity of our Strategy Aboriginal cultural competence training Undertake major investment in
parenting research rolling research program and Tweddle completed and Parenting cost effectively undertake research People for all staff. professional development for all staff
and evidence based Research Centre Evaluation Report submitted and development Staff achievement awards presented and to support the implementation
models of service of the 2012-17 strategic plan
Pilot in-home parenting support provided Commence research with Deakin Reviewed and updated policies & practices:
Establish and extend to the Hume Moreland ChildFirst agencies University into the effectiveness of
relationships with tertiary completed. Evaluation of the partnership community based breastfeeding Recruitment and selection
institutions undertaken with University of Melbourne programs
Grievance procedures
Pilot project completed – parenting Managing bullying and harassment in
support and skill development during the workplace
supervised access has been completed
Formal evaluation undertaken with Occupational Health and Safety
Monash University Reviewed and re-established employee
assistance program
NHMRC funded study by the Jean Hailes
Foundation completed Professional Development Programs in:
Establishment of new research Group therapeutic programs
partnership with Deakin University (eg NCast training)
Board funded day stay research completed Handling difficult & aggressive clients.
Clinical practice model
Completion of the formal Tweddle
LaTrobe research partnership OHS and managers
Research plan delivered. New plan Training for users in new system
developed and agreed
Innovation
5 papers accepted for publication. Provide Value Through Practice Development Participated in state wide review and made With the roll out of TWEQ establish
Change joint early parenting sector submission to benchmarking studies with QEC
Pilots and trials the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable
Children Inquiry Further extend collaborative practice
Services
Repositioned Tweddle@Home to deliver nationally especially through the
Extend services to Provide a range of Establish new services integrated with Established collaborative partnerships with
services through employers as part of Australian Association of Parenting
meet community services to meet other community and health services in Queen Elizabeth Centre and O’Connell to
employer parenting support packages/ and Child Health Inc (AAPCH)
demand diverse and changing at least 2 regional centres deliver specialist early parenting support:
community needs employee benefits
Expand services provided in Barwon PlaySteps
Commenced community based child region
birth education for Melbourne’s West in Shared services in information technology
partnership with Western Health Infrastructure
Provide facilities and Information Developed and commissioned customised Work with Government to create
Closure of Brimbank daystay program systems that support management software for fully electronic client record options for the development of
the future of Tweddle system – shared investment and partnership facilities and services
Completion of ChildFIRST pilot in Hume with QEC
Moreland region Completion of roofing repairs to
New presence of Tweddle on Facebook, minimise risk of future storm water
Twitter, SlideShare and Flickr together with an inundation
General clinical Further revised clinical model and Commence new services to meet agreed social media strategy
practice strengthened referral pathways to and needs of all family members
from specialist programs to meet Management of three further storm water
identified needs Deliver PlaySteps programs on an events with associated water damage,
ongoing basis electrical and safety issues
Curriculum for a new dad’s program
developed Significant improvement works completed on
residential unit foundations
Day Stay programs Finalisation of day stay research in May Based on day stay research findings,
2012. Review of service mix as a result review focus of community based
Environmental Reviewed Tweddle environment plan and Review further options to minimise
of research findings commenced services and the service mix of centre
management associated communications plan energy usage and costs
based and home based services
Targets set for waste and energy reduction –
Psychology Services Worked with Department of Health and Develop and implement a business plan reported to executive and board and
Medicare Locals to develop partnerships to grow perinatal mental health support included as part of annual report
and service models for perinatal health programs to families
All staff environmental communications
Provision of more intensive clinical plan implemented
support to families during and post
admission Implementation of a range of education
and infrastructure initiatives to reduce
Routine screening of mothers and fathers paper usage
for depression as part of admissions
process and provide service support Introduce a staff environmental
as needed achievement award.
Governance Development of 2012-2017 strategic plan
Electronic Service Roll out of TWEQ – a complete electronic Maximise benefits of TWEQ and social New board performance assessment tool
Delivery health information system media presence implemented
Developed and implemented a new Established new partnerships with family
Partnerships and National partnerships Development and signing of formal
communications plan and a social service agencies and research institutes
Positioning MOU with the Gathering Place and
media strategy
Develop our reputation Rumbalara
Held first ever combined EPC conference
and partnerships
all Victorian early parenting professionals
Endorsement by the Gathering Place of
action plan for Tweddle working with
Aboriginal families

8. 6 7
Leadership Report
Chairperson and CEO jointly review To this end, we are having productive discussions with We have recruited well and have a strong executive team Thank you
the year that was community service and health professionals in regional in place. The organisation is well placed for the challenges We would like to thank the Board and especially our
Victoria, particularly in the areas of Goulburn Valley, in the short to medium term. Chairperson, Josie Rizza who is currently on leave, for its
Any organisation with an extensive history has to evolve Gisborne, Kyneton and Sunbury. These communities work during a difficult year and for their understanding
and move with the times to be relevant and meet are a pleasure to work with and we are excited at the Industrial action of the change process. They give generously of their
changing community needs. prospect of developing early parenting supports with them. Although our nurses were involved in industrial action in time and advice.
late 2011, we would like to acknowledge the professional
Tweddle is no different. We have had to respond to The new strategic plan, which will set the framework for manner in which they operated during this period. There is an outstandingly positive spirit among the
changing needs and values, demographic shifts and services for the next five years, is focused, as already team at Tweddle and everyone has maintained
expanding cultural needs. What has been striking for mentioned on vulnerable families, both those facing The bans that were in place did affect our targets: 70 fewer a high standard of work at all times.
us is the rapidity of change over the last couple of existing multiple challenges and those facing challenges residential families and 72 fewer day stay families were
years: sometimes because of the environment and emerging as a result of the birth of a child. It also admitted due to the bed closures. Thanks go to all our nurses, early childhood
the development of practice evidence, at other times commits Tweddle to the provision of area based services specialists, social workers, psychologists and
driven from within by our team of experts. Changes especially in areas where evidence shows high needs. We are very pleased the industrial situation was resolved corporate support staff.
and responses have been required from the Board, and that Tweddle, together with QEC and O’Connell were
from management and our team of clinicians and We are pleased the Government response to the included within a single Enterprise Bargaining Agreement
corporate staff. Panel Inquiry report has a strong emphasis on the early for public hospitals. We are currently finalising new staffing
years and early intervention and prevention. The ‘Cradle classifications agreed in the negotiations which will mean Dr Nicole Milburn Ms Vivienne Amery
The most conspicuous change this year has been the to Kinder’ initiative is a great direction and, although a new career path and structure for early parenting Acting Board Chairperson Chief Executive Officer
rollout of the TWEQ electronic client record management Tweddle was not part of the successful tender, we look professionals.
system. People in the corporate sector and government forward to working with the winning consortium partners
may not realise what a massive change such a move in whatever way we can. Accreditation
represents. Tweddle was involved in two accreditation processes
Specifically, we are looking at how we can provide direct during the year: one for public hospital accreditation,
The move to electronic case management will deliver pathways for service providers for vulnerable families into the other for community service organisation registration.
enormous benefits. But in the short term it does have an our programs. Professional referral from ChildFIRST or
impact on workload, clinical practice and the culture maternity hospitals is also in development to fast-track We are delighted with the results – especially in the areas
of the working environment. We commend our staff as the pathway to Tweddle for an intensive early intervention. of client record management, goal setting and client
they work through the transitional issues a major new assessment processes. However, undertaking two reviews
system presents. Clinical practice is a time consuming exercise. We are pleased with the
Another major change this year has been in our clinical new State Government quality framework and standards
Strategic direction practice: attachment is the fundamental basis to our and how closely they align with the hospital accreditation
This year Tweddle welcomed the report from the Protecting positive parenting programs. framework which Tweddle has participated in for almost
Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry. The inquiry panel has 15 years.
produced a visionary comprehensive piece of work. The skills of the Tweddle workforce have grown over
the last few years as all of our services have moved to
We applaud the Panel for the breadth of evidence drawn the support of families facing multiple challenges. The
upon and the recommendations made. It is also pleasing skills to work with families in situations of family violence,
that Tweddle’s new strategic directions that have been substance abuse and mental health issues are significant.
developing over the last year are consistent with the Panel It is a credit to our team how they have embraced this
recommendations: services fully focused on working with direction.
vulnerable families and early intervention and prevention.
We are very proud of our staff’s specialist expertise. They
Recommendations in the report specifically refer to the provide a consistently high quality service and we share
value of early parenting services in the vulnerable children’s a commitment to undertaking further professional
support system and especially focuses on the need to development as the service continues to evolve.
improve ease of access to the supports and services
we provide. The good news is that despite all the challenges we
have faced this year, we are meeting our targets when
It is critical that we provide better access to early adjustments are made to account for variation resulting
parenting support in the growth areas of Melbourne from industrial action; we receive very positive client
and regional Victoria. evaluations; and our clinicians on the ground are doing
a fabulous job.

9. 6 7
Leadership Report
Chairperson and CEO jointly review To this end, we are having productive discussions with We have recruited well and have a strong executive team Thank you
the year that was community service and health professionals in regional in place. The organisation is well placed for the challenges We would like to thank the Board and especially our
Victoria, particularly in the areas of Goulburn Valley, in the short to medium term. Chairperson, Josie Rizza who is currently on leave, for its
Any organisation with an extensive history has to evolve Gisborne, Kyneton and Sunbury. These communities work during a difficult year and for their understanding
and move with the times to be relevant and meet are a pleasure to work with and we are excited at the Industrial action of the change process. They give generously of their
changing community needs. prospect of developing early parenting supports with them. Although our nurses were involved in industrial action in time and advice.
late 2011, we would like to acknowledge the professional
Tweddle is no different. We have had to respond to The new strategic plan, which will set the framework for manner in which they operated during this period. There is an outstandingly positive spirit among the
changing needs and values, demographic shifts and services for the next five years, is focused, as already team at Tweddle and everyone has maintained
expanding cultural needs. What has been striking for mentioned on vulnerable families, both those facing The bans that were in place did affect our targets: 70 fewer a high standard of work at all times.
us is the rapidity of change over the last couple of existing multiple challenges and those facing challenges residential families and 72 fewer day stay families were
years: sometimes because of the environment and emerging as a result of the birth of a child. It also admitted due to the bed closures. Thanks go to all our nurses, early childhood
the development of practice evidence, at other times commits Tweddle to the provision of area based services specialists, social workers, psychologists and
driven from within by our team of experts. Changes especially in areas where evidence shows high needs. We are very pleased the industrial situation was resolved corporate support staff.
and responses have been required from the Board, and that Tweddle, together with QEC and O’Connell were
from management and our team of clinicians and We are pleased the Government response to the included within a single Enterprise Bargaining Agreement
corporate staff. Panel Inquiry report has a strong emphasis on the early for public hospitals. We are currently finalising new staffing
years and early intervention and prevention. The ‘Cradle classifications agreed in the negotiations which will mean Dr Nicole Milburn Ms Vivienne Amery
The most conspicuous change this year has been the to Kinder’ initiative is a great direction and, although a new career path and structure for early parenting Acting Board Chairperson Chief Executive Officer
rollout of the TWEQ electronic client record management Tweddle was not part of the successful tender, we look professionals.
system. People in the corporate sector and government forward to working with the winning consortium partners
may not realise what a massive change such a move in whatever way we can. Accreditation
represents. Tweddle was involved in two accreditation processes
Specifically, we are looking at how we can provide direct during the year: one for public hospital accreditation,
The move to electronic case management will deliver pathways for service providers for vulnerable families into the other for community service organisation registration.
enormous benefits. But in the short term it does have an our programs. Professional referral from ChildFIRST or
impact on workload, clinical practice and the culture maternity hospitals is also in development to fast-track We are delighted with the results – especially in the areas
of the working environment. We commend our staff as the pathway to Tweddle for an intensive early intervention. of client record management, goal setting and client
they work through the transitional issues a major new assessment processes. However, undertaking two reviews
system presents. Clinical practice is a time consuming exercise. We are pleased with the
Another major change this year has been in our clinical new State Government quality framework and standards
Strategic direction practice: attachment is the fundamental basis to our and how closely they align with the hospital accreditation
This year Tweddle welcomed the report from the Protecting positive parenting programs. framework which Tweddle has participated in for almost
Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry. The inquiry panel has 15 years.
produced a visionary comprehensive piece of work. The skills of the Tweddle workforce have grown over
the last few years as all of our services have moved to
We applaud the Panel for the breadth of evidence drawn the support of families facing multiple challenges. The
upon and the recommendations made. It is also pleasing skills to work with families in situations of family violence,
that Tweddle’s new strategic directions that have been substance abuse and mental health issues are significant.
developing over the last year are consistent with the Panel It is a credit to our team how they have embraced this
recommendations: services fully focused on working with direction.
vulnerable families and early intervention and prevention.
We are very proud of our staff’s specialist expertise. They
Recommendations in the report specifically refer to the provide a consistently high quality service and we share
value of early parenting services in the vulnerable children’s a commitment to undertaking further professional
support system and especially focuses on the need to development as the service continues to evolve.
improve ease of access to the supports and services
we provide. The good news is that despite all the challenges we
have faced this year, we are meeting our targets when
It is critical that we provide better access to early adjustments are made to account for variation resulting
parenting support in the growth areas of Melbourne from industrial action; we receive very positive client
and regional Victoria. evaluations; and our clinicians on the ground are doing
a fabulous job.