Home page > Publications & Submissions
Publications & Submissions
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tool
This tool is currently being finalised. Please register your interest in receiving a copy by emailing Annette Jackson <ajackson@berrystreet.org.au>
Response to Department of Education & Early Childhood Development Stronger Futures for all Victorian Children - June 2010
Berry Street welcomes the work being done across many sectors of education to develop policy frameworks that will better support young people in reaching their potential, and the opportunity to respond to the Stronger Futures Discussion paper. Berry Street is clearly aware of the need for young people to achieve sequential milestones if they are to make the best transitions to a future career. The experience of Berry Street is that a proportion of young people experience multiple barriers to the achievement of these milestones. There needs to be a systemic response to support the needs of our most vulnerable young people, and an acceptance that considerable additional resources need to be made available if we are to re-engage these young people in viable career pathways.
Response to Department of Education & Early Childhood Development Flexible Learning Option Paper - May 2010
Berry Street commends Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on the initiative to develop a Flexible Learning Options Policy Framework for implementation across Victoria. Schools and organisations such as Berry Street across Victoria that support and work with vulnerable children and young people have recognised the increasing numbers of young people who are disengaged from education and who require a wide variety of supports to re-engage.
National Standards for Out of Home Care: Response to consultation paper March 2010
Berry Street submission to 2010 discussion paper on National Out of Home Care Standards. The Berry Street submission outlines what national standards should cover, the need to invest additional resources to improve the quality of OOHC, importance of providing extensive leaving care support and the need for consultation and negotiation with the sector prior to the final approval of any national standards. For more information about the Berry Street submission contact Julian Pocock <jpocock@berrystreet.org.au>
Download the consultation paper
Hume Annual Foster Care Camp - Evalution Report
The Foster Care Camp has become an institution for many children in the care of foster families in Berry Street's Hume Region. Under the vibrant leadership of Anita Pell, Regional Director, the Camp has grown significantly over the past twenty years and is now an eagerly awaited event in the annual calendar of caregiving families. However, the Camp is not merely another fun holiday experience. The Camp contributes to the development of positive memories and long lasting friendships between young people, carers, staff and volunteers. Berry Street works hard to provide recognition to all of those who contribute positively to the lives of children in need.This Camp is one very special way in which the carers in particular are acknowledged and rewarded, as well as being a very welcome experience for all children concerned. July 2009.
Download the Executive Summary
Productivity Commission Issues Paper: Contribution of Not for Profit Sector
Berry Street welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Productivity Commission's Issues Paper on the contribution of the not for profit sector, and specifically, the intention to improve the measurement of the community sector's contribution and remove obstacles to maximizing those contributions. This submission confines itself to addressing those questions raised by the paper that are of key relevance for Berry Street as a large, independent child and family welfare organisation operating within Victoria. May 2009.
Submission to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
Berry Street welcomes the opportunity to provide a response to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The investment by the Victorian Government in this Royal Commission will enhance the capacity of all entities to plan and implement an effective and efficient emergency response and community recovery plan following a future disaster. May 2009.
Berry Street Carer Survey 2008 - Summary Report
In July 2008, Berry Street circulated a survey to the agency's Home Based Carers across Victoria to ask for their feedback. Although feedback is received informally by programs on a regular basis, this survey was the first time that all Carers in the organisation were invited to anonymously share their opinions, experiences and needs.
This report summarises the responses received from the Berry Street Carers and makes recommendations on how to best address the issues raised.
Review of ‘FAST' - Family Adolescent Support Team (South Eastern Region)
21st December 2008
This report has been prepared by Thomson Goodall Associates (TGA), independent consultants. In September 2008, Berry Street in the South Eastern Region (referred to in this report as Berry Street) engaged TGA to undertake a review of the Family Adolescent Support Team (FAST) program. The FAST program was established in early 2006, and funded by Disability Client Services (DCS) of the Department of Human Services Southern Metropolitan Region (DHS SMR). It was a condition of funding that the program be reviewed after 12 months of operation.
Reaching More Kids- Berry Street Gippsland- Evaluation Report No 2
Reaching More Kids is an early intervention project aimed at assisting young people to feel attached and secure within their community and school settings through a comprehensive mentoring program. This evaluation has examined the progress of Reaching More Kids over the past 12 months - covering the period of July 2007 to June 2008. It considered the changes made to the operation and implementation of the project and includes observed outcomes, drawing heavily on feedback from participants.
Response to the Victorian Government's Vulnerable Youth Framework
Berry Street congratulates the Victorian Government for its commitment to articulating a framework for responding to the needs of vulnerable young people, and welcomes the opportunity to respond to the
Discussion Paper. In particular, we value the opportunity to contribute to an improved focus on the needs and responses to vulnerable young people in Victoria.
Submission to the Drugs & Crime Prevention Committee - Inquiry into strategies to prevent high volume offending by young people
Berry Street is pleased to submit its response to the Victorian Government Drugs & Crime Prevention Committee's Inquiry into Strategies to Prevent high Volume Offending by Young People (September 2008). In our response we focus on the need for: strengthened early intervention approaches and strategies to enable vulnerable children and young people to get the best start in life, as a crucial upstream crime prevention investment; targeted strategies and approaches to the support and education of children in out of home care who are already disengaged and/or not attending education and training programs, recognizing the critical link between educational disengagement and possible future anti-social behaviours and offending; multi-agency approaches and new integrated models of service delivery focused on strong partnerships between schools and community service organisations to facilitate an inclusive support model for vulnerable families; and individually tailored intensive support and diversionary responses for those young people at risk of multiple offending.
Victoria's review of Out of Home Care
Berry Street is pleased to provide input into the Victorian Government's review of the Out of Home Care System in this State (August 2008). We, and the children we care for, look forward to the findings and working with Government to implement the improvements which result from this Review.
Mental Health & Wellbeing in Victoria - Berry Street's response to Victorian Government Discussion Paper
Berry Street is pleased to submit its response to the Victorian Government's Consultation Paper on the Mental Health Reform Strategy. In our response we focus on Focus Area 2 - Early Intervention, because of our particular interest in better outcomes for children, young people and families. However, we are very supportive of the directions covered throughout the "Because mental health matters" paper.
Response to Green Paper on Homelessness
Berry Street was pleased to provide a submission to the Commonwealth Government's Green Paper on homelessness (June 2008). The Green Paper seeks responses to three alternative options for reforming homelessness and invites other ideas for developing a more effective national approach.
Submission to the Victorian Government's Skills Reform Consultation
Berry Street's response to the Skills Victoria Skills Reform Discussion Paper (June 2008) is based on two key perspectives that the organisation has developed through our work with vulnerable children and young people who are in or known to the child protection system. These key perspectives are:
-
The projected skills shortages and workforce development needs of the Victorian Community Services (Protective Care) sector.
-
The requirement for targeted approaches, such as bridging and transitional programs for the education, training and employment of vulnerable young people. This group of young people includes those who have been in the child protection system and/or disengaged from mainstream schooling.
Submission to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) consultation on the Blueprint for Early Childhood Development and School Reform
Berry Street's response to the Blueprint for Early Childhood Development and School Reform (May 2008) is based on three key perspectives that the organisation has developed through our work with vulnerable children and young people who are in or known to the child protection system. These key perspectives are:
- The need for strengthened early intervention approaches and strategies to enable vulnerable young children to get the best start in life to enable them to achieve the best possible health and education outcomes;
- The requirement for targeted strategies and approaches to the education of vulnerable young people who are already disengaged and /or not attending education & training programs;
- The need for schools and community service organisations to form stronger partnerships to facilitate an inclusive support model for families taking into account the needs of vulnerable families.
Kinship Care Green Paper Response
Berry Street welcomes the opportunity to contribute to policy development in this important area. Our response details our commitment to quality placements and the importance of understanding the complex nature of kinship care. We urge recognition of the fact that kinship placements should always be considered on the basis of individual child needs. We further recommend earlier recognition and provision for the support needs of kinship placements and recommend increased involvement from CSO's in this regard. (April 2008)
Berry Street Hume Kinship Care Program - Evaluation Report
An evaluation report of Berry Street Hume Kinship Care Program undertaken by Ms Jennifer McConachy, as part of her Master's Degree at Monash University. 2008
Jennifer's study involved interviewing a number of Kinship carers supported by Berry Street in the Hume Region, analysing client files, talking to carers' support workers and communicating with the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Hume Region as the policy and funding provider. The report makes a number of recommendations to Berry Street regarding the findings in the light of contemporary knowledge and research.
Download the report
Federal Employment Services Review
Berry Street was pleased to provide a submission to the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation on the Employment Services Review. We look forward to the findings and outcomes of this consultation in this vital area. 2008
Download the review
Therapeutic Foster Care: Integrating mental health and child welfare to provide care for traumatised children.
A literature review. Berry Street, Melbourne. McClung, L. (2007)
This literature review provides an overview of therapeutic care which aims to integrate mental health and child welfare theory, research and practice. Several national and international therapeutic care programs are discussed within this review with a particular reference to the training required to support such models. A potential therapeutic foster care model based on a trauma and attachment focus is outlined alongside useful references for the reader to pursue further.
Carers Charter
Berry Street has commented on a Draft charter for carers entitled Supporting Care Relationships - a Victorian Charter. The Charter will apply to a wide range of carers and contains the principles and standards for services that provide support to carers and those they care for. Comment has thus been sought by DHS from all carers across Victoria (not just Foster Carers) and they have provided a brief questionnaire containing seven questions to guide responses.
Berry Street has conducted a consultation about the draft Charter with a representative group of 40 Foster Carers from the Hume region whose comments have helped to inform this response.
Submission to the Victorian Competition & Efficiency - Inquiry into Enhancing Victoria's Liveability
Berry Street welcomes the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission Inquiry into enhancing Victoria's liveability. Berry Street has chosen to highlight a specific example of a program which enhances liveability by adopting a whole of community ,community development approach to enhancing community safety.
Download the submission
Review of Government Funded Financial Counselling Services
Berry Street's submission to the State Services Authority regarding the Review of Victorian State Government Funded Financial Counselling Services. Berry Street has many years experience of running a financial Counselling service (in our Northern Metropolitan region in Melbourne) and welcomes the Government proposal to review the scope, functions and effectiveness of State Government funded Counselling Services in Victoria.
Download the sumbission
Road 2 Safety - Evaluation Report
The "Road-2-Safety" Project was piloted in Morwell in 2006 and provided nine disadvantaged young people aged 16.8 - 18 years with an opportunity to learn about road safety and obtain their Learner, and in some cases Probationary, Drivers Licence. 2006.
Download the report
Darwin Experience - Evaluation Report
An evaluation of the trip of a lifetime to the Northern Territory - this report illustrates the importance of positive memory building experiences in the lives of young people in Out of Home Care. 2007
Download the report
Reaching More Kids - Evaluation Report
"Reaching More Kids" (RMK) Latrobe Community Plan-It Youth Mentoring Program (RMK Program) has reinforced the value of mentoring as a model of service provision, to support young people in the Latrobe Valley as they navigate key transition stages in their lives. 2007
Download the report
Review of our Intensive Case Management Services
July 2007
A comprehensive review of Berry Street ICMS programs - providing specialist intensive case management support to some of Victoria's most vulnerable and challenging young people.
Download the report
Take Two Evaluation Reports
Take Two is a developmental therapeutic program for children who have experienced severe abuse and neglect and who are clients of Child Protection.
Take Two is a partnership between Berry Street, Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, La Trobe University School of Social Work and Social Policy, Mindful and VACCA. Take Two is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services.
Second Evaluation Report
Download the second Take Two evaluation report
Frederico, M., Jackson, A. & Black, C. (2006). "Give Sorrow Words" - A Launguage for Healing, Take Two - Second Evaluation Report 2004 - 2005, School of Social Work and Social Policy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
This second evaluation report of the Take Two program builds on the first report. It describes the program, client group and interventions over the first two years of operation (2004-2005). This report also includes preliminary data regarding outcomes of Take Two intervention and feedback from children, parents, carers, teachers and other workers. The report concludes with a summary of the findings.
If you have any queries regarding this report please contact Annette Jackson on 03 9429 9266.
First Evaluation Report
Download the first evaluation report of the Take Two Program's inaugural year of operation, 2004.
This report has been written by Associate Professor Margarita Frederico (Principal Consultant at La Trobe University), Annette Jackson (Research Manager, Take Two) and Carlina Black (Senior Research Officer, Take Two). If you have any queries regarding this report please contact Annette Jackson on 03 9429 9266.
Looking After Children (LAC)
Berry Street was the first organisation in Victoria to introduce the quality management tool Looking After Children (LAC) for all children and young people in our out of home care services.
Berry Street's LAC implementation included the development of a training package "Looking After Children: Building the Picture" which placed LAC within the Victorian context.
Following the decision to implement LAC for all children and young people in out of home care, Berry Street was commissioned by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop and extend the LAC training package they had developed into a training program for the whole of Victoria.
The "LAC Training Implementation Final Report" describes the implementation of this training program in the twelve months following the decision to implement LAC in Victoria. The report also includes an examination of the key elements outside the training that were critical to the successful implementation of the training program and subsequent introduction of LAC.
The "LAC Training Implementation Final Report" is divided into 3 sections. Each section can be download separately for ease and convenience.
Section 1 - LAC Implementation Overview
This section contains an examination of the key elements in the Victorian implementation of LAC which were critical to the successful implementation of the training program and LAC as a practice framework.
Section 2 - Training Implementation of Component Analysis
This section contains the detail of the training implementation process undertaken and evaluation of each of the components of the process. This includes planning, consultation, training model, training delivery and post-training issues.
Section 3 - Appendices
This section contains the detailed appendices, including raw data and comments from practitioners, carers and managers from across the state.
Choosing Positive Paths - Parents' Information Kit
Berry Street & Women's Health West
Choosing Positive Paths is a resource kit for parents concerned about their children who has experienced family or domestic violence. People caring for a child who has experienced violence are often very worried about how the experience will affect that child. The effects of violence on a child can depend on many factors. However there are lots of things that families - and the professionals who support them - can do to help. This kit provides current information and suggestions.
The Choosing Positive Paths Parenting Kit is made up of ten information brochures, each of which contains information and tips. Click to view, download and print the brochures that interest you.
- Parenting, violence and your safety
- Parenting a Baby who has experienced violence
- Parenting a Toddler who has experienced violence
- Parenting a Preschooler who has experienced violence
- Parenting a 5 to 12-year-old who has experienced violence
- Parenting a Teenager who has experienced violence
- Parenting: talking about separation, moving and contact
- Parenting: talking about behaviour and the effects of violence
- Parenting, violence and legal issues
- Parenting, violence and who can help
Other Reports and Publications
- Berry Street
Submission to The Stronger Community Organisations Project &
CSO Impact Calculator
July 2007
- Berry Street
State Services Authority Review of Not For Profit Regulation
May 2007
- Downey, Laurel (2006)
FACV State Conference - Implications of Trauma Theory for Children in Out of Home Care
Speech presented at the FACV State Conference, 2006.
- Atkins, Prue & Pike, Jo (2003)
From the Ground Up - Building models of staff support to address issues of client-initiated violence in residential care
Paper presented at the Protecting Children What Counts? Research Conference, Airlie Beach, Queensland, 8-9 August, 2003.