Kids are at the heart of everything we do
Annual Report 2018
kidsfirstaustralia.org.au
CEO & President’s message .........................................................................................................................3 Our Vision .....................................................................................................................................................4 Our Board and Patrons ................................................................................................................................5 Our Journey Forward ...................................................................................................................................6 Changing Lives in the Community ..............................................................................................................8
Contents
New Service Trials ........................................................................................................................................11 Building Life and Learning Skills .................................................................................................................16 Valuing Fathers ............................................................................................................................................18 First Point of Call .........................................................................................................................................19 Leading the Way .........................................................................................................................................20 Our Commitment to Quality ......................................................................................................................21 Research ......................................................................................................................................................22 Fundraising Events ......................................................................................................................................24 Retail Op Shop ............................................................................................................................................27 Treasurer’s Report ......................................................................................................................................28 Financial Highlights ....................................................................................................................................30 Our Partners and Supporters .....................................................................................................................35
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Kids First Australia
CEO and President’s Message
This year marked an exciting new phase in our history. The Board and staff had planned for several years to change the name of Children’s Protection Society. The name was perceived as a barrier for many clients who associated us with statutory Child Protection (which ceased to be our purpose 34 years ago). So, it was with great pride we unveiled an apt new name for the organisation, ‘Kids First’, at our annual fundraiser the Lunchtime Rumours Feast. Our new name better reflects our core purpose to always put kids first. The positive feedback we have received from the children and families we work with indicates they relate to our new name, logo and colours strongly. Over the past twelve months we reviewed and reflected on our mission and purpose and the needs of the clients we work with whilst we developed our new strategic directions for the next three years. We also refined our values which bind the culture and vision of Kids First: Hope, Empowerment, Accountability, Respect and Trust, forming the acronym ‘HEART’. Quite simply, these values embody our purpose that kids are at the heart of everything we do – always have been and always will be.
Staff have developed a new model of service that provides several community-based child and family centres with multi-disciplinary teams working collaboratively across practices to deliver tailored services for the community. We anticipate that with our new name, branding and service delivery model we will have a more visible and dynamic presence in local communities and provide better outcomes for children and families. Throughout all these changes staff have continued to provide hours of information, education and support to ensure children thrive in strong and safe families. We have been at the forefront of pioneering new family violence evidence based models for fathers and women and children, supported new mums, provided therapeutic healing for children, young people and families, assisted young people leaving care to find appropriate housing and access suitable supports to help them move to independent living, built upon on our early years education models and shared our practice expertise through training to a broad range of professionals. This work requires skill, expertise, passion and hope - all of which our staff display everyday. We sincerely thank them for their energy, commitment and belief in our values. To our Patrons and the Board who give their time because they are committed to the right of every child, young person and family to be nurtured and supported in safe and thriving families and communities, thank you. And finally, we wish to extend our sincere thanks to all our volunteers, supporters, donors, service partners, sponsors and funders who enable us to continue putting kids first, always.
We are focussed on being an organisation that is child centred, agile, innovative and progressive in responding to the needs and issues that children and families face. Our new strategic plan 20182020 is founded on these pillars. To enable us to enact our future directions we undertook a review of the way we work internally to deliver services to our clients, so we can be more in tune with and responsive to the often complex needs they present with.
Annual Report 2018
Aileen Ashford CEO
Justice Bernard Murphy President
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Our Vision
Our Vision All children and young people thrive in resilient, strong and safe families and communities.
Our Purpose We support the wellbeing and development of children and families by providing prevention, early years education and care, therapeutic healing to recover from abuse and neglect and family strengthening services.
Our Commitment Our services are underpinned by a robust practice framework and evidence-based service models which are supported by a contemporary governance and organisational structure.
Our Values Children and families are central to the work that we do and our values HEART embody this and drive our passion to create brighter futures for them.
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Hope
We believe that change is possible and achievable
Empowerment
We build on people’s strengths and support their ability to make positive changes in their lives
Accountability
We are open and transparent in everything we do
Respect
We value all people
Trust
We act in an ethical, inclusive, professional and open manner
Kids First Australia
Our Board and Patrons
Our Patrons Patron in Chief – Her Excellency, The Hon. Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria Patrons – Mrs Elaine Marriner – Mr Neil Mitchell AO – Mr Ross Stevenson
Our Board – Justice Bernard Murphy, President – Sandy Forbes, Vice President – Phil Thompson, Vice President* – Simon Hutchings, Treasurer and Secretary – Steve Dolman – Janet Farrow OAM
The Board is made up of people strongly committed to our vision who commit their time, expertise, energy and skills to ensure that Kids First is well governed. They take seriously their responsibility to clients and stakeholders, maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability and strong stewardship of Kids First’s history, reputation and resources. The Board met 7 times during the year. In addition to Board meetings, we have Board sub committees chaired by a Board Member. The Finance and Investment Committee met 7 times this year. The Quality and Risk Committee met 4 times this year.
Special thanks Andrew Leslie, Morgan Stanley and Paul McCarthy
– Tony Smith – Carmel Morfuni – John Cain – Wayne Gorst – Jenny Alvin * Denotes resigned from the board April 2018
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Our Journey forward
For 122 years Kids First has boasted a proud history of pioneering brave and progressive programs with a focus on preventative care and early intervention. Our new service model will continue to build on this legacy in all aspects of our planning and development of programs, and our practice.
Following extensive consultation with Kids First practitioners across all service areas, seven practice principles were identified which reflect our core values and inform work with clients; – Evidence based and informed – Family safety – Child centered and family inclusive – Person centered – Trauma informed – Culturally responsive – Holistic Beginning with the foundation ‘kids are at the heart of everything we do’, our organisational values, the principles that drive our practice and our model of service are all connected. Aligned with current research and directions in Australia and overseas, as reflected in State and Federal Government priorities, Kids First will provide integrated, holistic and evidence-based services to families experiencing challenges.
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Kids First Australia
The Practice Framework provides a clear direction for the Agency as it finalises an Outcomes Framework to measure the changes that children, families and their communities achieve as a direct result of our interventions. A major component of the new service model is the development of a centralised clinical intake that will support our multi-disciplinary sites to provide: - clinically indicated, targeted interventions: brief, early and tertiary - integrated care planning for children and their families - families with a brief family consultation session at the start of service - tailored responses using evidence informed practice As a result, care plans for children and families will be developed to respond to different levels of need, providing access to a range of services and programs tailored to individual clients.
Annual Report 2018
Families accessing clinical services at Kids First will be initially offered a brief consultation to address their main concerns and develop shared goals for service. This enables a rapid response to be given to all families referred to us, providing them with increased stability and timely support. It also enables Kids First to respond to variations in demand for clinical services, particularly with the increase in referrals due to new initiatives in the family violence and child and family services sectors. Our service model is uniquely placed to recommend brief or intensive service interventions including a range of new and existing evidence-based programs to support children and their families. We are excited about the changes we have implemented and look forward to continuing positive outcomes for the children and families we work with, as well as the valued relationships with all our supporters and stakeholders in the next phase of our journey.
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Changing Lives in the Community
Family Services The Family Services team continued to demonstrate their capacity to handle with dexterity a wide range of issues impacting on child and family development and safety. These included underdeveloped parenting skills, family violence, mental health, alcohol and drug dependency, housing transience, financial hardship, social isolation and migrant and refugee transition. A versatile, practical approach occurred in outreach settings, centre based therapeutic sessions and group work facilitation. Clients were empowered with parenting education, information and advocacy. Prime focus areas encompassed early intervention, risk assessment and management with a view to enhancing parental capacity and improving positive outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Family Services also collaborated with other service providers to deliver child centred, family focused support. Family Services continued to conduct a range of early intervention group work programs within the community. Overall 2,904 service hours were provided through the Playbox Shine and Grow playgroups, Tuning into Teens and the Boys to Adolescence/B2A program. The PEERS (Positive behaviour, Empowerment, Equality, Relationships, Safety) program added a further 192 hours. The development, implementation and findings of B2A and PEERS were presented at the International Child Trauma Conference 2018 in Melbourne, illustrating the effectiveness of promoting healthy relationships in a school-based setting to circumvent the cycle of family violence.
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Kids First Australia
732 Families with children 0-17 assisted by Family Services in 2017/18
Over the past year, Family Services has focussed on the implementation of evidence-based programs to deliver stronger outcomes for clients. Family Services were involved in the ‘Invisible Practices Project: Interventions with Fathers’ facilitated by University of Melbourne and Safe and Together Institute USA .The focus of this project was to embed the practice of working with fathers across the agency in both assessment and intervention. Subsequently staff were trained in the Safe and Together Model. This model facilitated more effective partnering understanding with victim/survivors of family violence in relation to what measures they had taken to maintain safety for themselves and their children. The model also provided a framework for working with perpetrators of family violence. Practitioners were also trained and accredited in the evidence-based intervention model Positive Parenting Program (or ‘Triple P’). Utilised in both group work or individual casework contexts, this will be implemented over the coming 12 months.
21,790 Hours of service to families in 2017/2018
Mentoring Mums The first 18 months are a critical time in the development of an infant’s life and a sharp learning curve for most new mothers. For those who don’t have the practical guidance and emotional support of their own mum, or siblings, or friends, the task of motherhood is particularly challenging. Throw in risk factors such as financial hardship, housing instability, language barriers, family violence or mental health issues, then caring properly for themselves, let alone a baby, can be nigh impossible. That’s where our wonderful volunteers who act as Mentoring Mums perform a role whose positive impact on the lives of mothers and young children cannot be understated.
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mums & mentors worked together
51% of mentees were from CALD backgrounds
Over the past year this program was further integrated within Family Services so that practitioners can better support mentors in developing specific care plans for their clients whilst facilitating social engagement and activities to enhance connection with their infants.
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Therapeutic Services The Sexual Abuse Counselling and Prevention Program’s (SACPP) foot print widened and accessibility to clients was improved via a weekly co-location at Co-Health in Collingwood and monthly outposts at Department Health and Human Services – Child Protection, Preston and Footscray. In addition, individual case work was showcased to senior workers caring for clients who engage in harmful sexual behaviour within the CEASE (Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation) network. This contributed to SACPP being at the forefront of work with such clients in Victoria and led to an invitation to the round table discussion with all Trans-Tasman providers at the ANZATSA conference in New Zealand earlier in the year. Internally, SACPP continued to collaborate with family services to deliver the innovative early intervention program B2A (Boys to Adolescence) for the third year. SACPP participated in research with Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault (NCASA), Deakin
University and Australian Institute of Family Studies regarding best practice in delivering and evaluating interventions for young people with harmful sexual behaviour. SACPP also partnered with NCASA, Department Health & Human Services (DHHS), Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Association (VACCA) and other aboriginal services in the Safe Pathways to Healing forum and subsequently provided joint training to aboriginal workers to bridge the gap in sexual assault services for aboriginal communities. In a first for Victoria, SACPP’s partnership with the Sexual Exploitation Unit at DHHS produced an innovative support group for parents whose children have been sexually mistreated. Finally, the Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Helen McPherson Smith Trust and Commonwealth Bank provided generous grants to enable us to create a ground breaking multi-sensory room which will further boost SACPP’s capacity to lead best practice healing for young people affected by sexual abuse and/or harmful behaviour.
686 individuals received therapeutic healing in 2017/2018
750
teachers, psychologists, parents and child/youth welfare workers received training in 2017/2018
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Kids First Australia
New Service Trials
30 Young people leaving state care have been supported.
Running Start One of the biggest challenges facing young people leaving out of home care is finding suitable, affordable accommodation. Young people also need support and guidance to develop life skills that equip them for living independently. Literature illustrates the transition to independent living is a significant stress and without appropriate scaffolding many young people become homeless. Led by Kids First, in partnership with the Council to Homeless Persons (CHP), Berry Street and Launch Housing’s Home Ground Real Estate, Running Start assists young people leaving care to find appropriate housing and access suitable supports to help them move to independent living.
The Department of Health and Human Services provided funds for an evaluation of the program and the University of Melbourne, School of Social Work has been engaged to conduct a formative evaluation. This will include interviews with clients, followed by on-line surveys at 6 monthly intervals over a 12-month period. In addition, focus groups comprising of the governance group and professional networks involved with Running Start clients will be held. The evaluation report is due in early 2019.
A key component of Running Start is Robert Bosch Australia’s philanthropic commitment to the program. The funding has been used flexibly, tailored to individual needs such as landlord insurance, weekly rental subsidy and supplementing rent in community housing. Also provided by Running Start is access to programs and services to build life skills including training and education, employment support, shopping, transport, court support and advocacy. Over 30 young people have been supported to begin the journey of independent living through this program.
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Annual 2018 KidsReport First Australia
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149 Fathers participated in Caring Dads over 2017/2018
Caring Dads Kids First was funded in mid-2016 by the Victorian Government and Gandel Philanthropy to lead a three-year Caring Dads trial across Victoria. The trial is being conducted in North East Melbourne, Western Melbourne and Gippsland in partnership with Uniting ReGen, Anglicare Victoria and IPC. Caring Dads is a 17-week group program for fathers who have demonstrated or threatened their families with violent, abusive, controlling or neglectful behaviour. The evidence-based program, developed in Canada by the University of Toronto and Changing Ways and being adopted around the world, motivates fathers to recognise and take responsibility for their behaviour and work towards repairing relationships with their loved ones. The University of Melbourne is evaluating the trial with the aim of building an evidence base, identifying how the program fits within the Victorian service system and exploring the adaptation needs of the Caring Dads program for an Australian audience.
Seeing the effects of their actions through the lens of their children is proving a compelling catalyst for change for dads participating in the program. One father described it as ‘a sledgehammer message delivered with velvety smoothness.’ Others have noted how the practical skills they’re learning and applying to their interactions, including otherwise stressful situations, have been immensely beneficial. The value of Caring Dads is twofold – children and families feel safer, meanwhile fathers (whom it should be noted are voluntary participants), are reaping the benefits of their enhanced relationships with their children and partner. Referrals to the service have come from Child Protection, drug and alcohol services, Corrections, Child FIRST, Family Services, mental health and selfreferrals. In its first year of operation the program supported 149 dads.
“One of the main things was to change our way of thinking about our children’s mother. That really worked for me. That made me realise some of the habits I had formed. I realised that these habits were very, very negative and I’ve seen it in my children how they treat their mother. So, one of the things that my wife noticed was the change in me the way that I was treating her. It’s helped change the family.”
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350 Mothers (and 350 children) were supported in 2017/2018
Children and Mothers in Mind We are now entering the second year as the lead agency and provider of Children and Mothers in Mind (CMIM) funded by Department of Health and Human Services and RE Ross Trust. CMIM is an evidence-based Canadian program from the Childhood Development Institute that entails trauma informed psycho-education and case management for women and preschool children who have experienced domestic violence. By placing the experience and age of the child at the centre of the therapeutic intervention, the 22-week program encourages the mother to explore the child’s experience and the impact of violence on the mother-infant relationship. Mothers learn how to support and repair their maternal relationship through the child’s recovery. Mums also learn how to be more present for the child, with evidence this leads to more significant long-term outcomes.
Like Caring Dads, CMiM has grown in scale and reputation. Sites are now established at five locations across Victoria, including a recent addition in Werribee covering the Western region. The fidelity of the CMIM program across the state is overseen and guidance provided by Kids First to partner agencies (Anglicare Victoria, Barwon Family Violence & Sexual Assault Centre and Merri Outreach Support Services) on research adherence, education and professional development and secondary consults. All groups boast exceptional retention rates. Anecdotal client feedback and research conducted by the Child Development Institute (Canada) and the University of Melbourne Research Department indicate the program is achieving the objectives of improving child developmental outcomes, reducing social isolation, enhancing maternal self-compassion and care and upskilling parenting capabilities.
Participants reported how they no longer harbour feelings of fear, regret and guilt. The group dynamic has also provided mums with crucial peer support both within, outside and beyond the 22 sessions. One recommended the group saying ‘if there was another mum in my situation my advice would be to definitely join this group. It has helped me immensely to deal with my emotions and raise my daughter better.’ Kids First’s early intervention and integrative practice approach fits well with CMiM, with specialised infant mental health and development secondary consults available across all sites, along with early referrals into specialised services.
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Annual 2018 KidsReport First Australia
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Annual Report 2018
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Building Life and Learning Skills
Child and Family Centre Heidelberg West Since the beginning of our Early Years Education Program (EYEP), the importance of early learning in childhood has increasingly become a mainstream topic of conversation in Australia. Politicians, economists and media commentators are now realising the enormous short and long-term benefits of ensuring children, particularly those atrisk or disadvantaged, are not left developmentally adrift as they enter primary school. The critical role of our Australia-first EYEP randomised control trial, being undertaken by the University of Melbourne School of Economics, is to provide a strong evidence base that high-quality education and care within a trauma informed approach can change the outcomes for vulnerable children in the early years. It is our aim that the research will provide a compelling evidence for governments and providers to adopt our model for all Australian pre-schoolers, particularly those who need it most. In 2017 The Australian Childcare Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), presented the Centre with the Certificate of Excellence and congratulated the team on the outstanding achievement of being the first centre in Victoria to be re-awarded an Excellence rating. This was an outstanding achievement of which we are very proud. The program is entering its final year of research. The second EYEP research report (released in early 2018) outlined an improvement in the overall cognitive development for boys. We look forward to more positive impacts of the EYEP from subsequent reports in early 2019 and 2020.
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Kids First Australia
145 Children in total participated in the EYEP trial
Throughout the year, the educational team established collaborative partnerships with external organisations such as Banyule Community Health, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and a variety of early intervention services to work on shared goals that support the children. Internally, referrals were made to SACPP and Family Services to assist families. This collaborative approach strengthened our capacity to understand clients’ needs and provide the supports they require. One of the year’s highlights entailed sharing a professional development opportunity with Korin Korin. Both early years centres collaborated and collectively reflected upon practice, providing the teams an enhanced perspective when unpacking the Early Years Learning Framework. Professional development pertaining to the knowledge and implementation of the National Quality Standards was further explored in the centre’s joint consultations with Dr Anne Kennedy, and recently with SNC Educational Innovations early years consultant, Sharryn Clark. Work at the Centre will continue to focus on the individual needs of the remaining research families/ children. The team’s strong interdisciplinary approach ensures each family has a supportive closure plan to support children in making a smooth transition to their next educational setting.
166 children enrolled at Korin Korin in 2018
Korin Korin Child and Family Centre True to the Aboriginal meaning of Korin Korin, i.e. ‘to grow’, the kinder program added another group in 2018, bringing the number of 4-year-old groups to five (in addition to one 3-year-old group). The Centre now accommodates the early learning needs of 162 families in the Wollert vicinity and next year we will likely see the Centre reach capacity at 198 enrolments. Korin Korin received a report from the National Australian Childcare Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), in relation to the Assessment and rating visit, with the Centre rated overall as Exceeding the National Quality Standard - a great achievement after only 12 months of operation. Korin Korin continued to integrate learnings from our Early Years Educational Project (EYEP), including infant mental health consultations, employing a relational pedagogy and provision of formal supervision for staff. It was very welcome that the City of Whittlesea commenced maternal child health sessions at the Centre as well as providing outreach home visits allowing families to have easier access to this vital service.
Community engagement is a key focus of the Centre for children’s learning and community connection. Several incursions and excursions were undertaken such as local school visits, dog safety program, Pete the Plumber, Tingle Toodle (road safety), Plenty Community Health dental visits, visits to the local fire brigade and police stations. In a cultural sense, children participated in NAIDOC Week, Aboriginal Children’s Day, Pyjama Week (foster care awareness), Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Eid and Diwali. As part of our strong focus on evidence-based programs one of the Kindergarten groups trialled the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program to ascertain its effectiveness. ELLA is a digital, play-based language learning program for children in preschool and part of the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting language study in Australia. This successful trial will see the program rolled out across all sessions at Korin Korin.
We are committed to the professional development of our staff and over the past twelve months educators participated in a range of professional development topics including: – Creating Beautiful Learning Spaces That Inspire Music, storytelling and dance – Purposeful Program and Practice – Gender equity – Aboriginal Early Years Conference – Continuity of Early Learning for Children Experiencing Vulnerability or Disadvantage course.
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Valuing Fathers
Fathers and Family Relationships Program Kids First recognise the importance of fathers in children’s lives. As the role of dads in families evolves, new opportunities and challenges for men are apparent, as well as for those who work with them. The past year has seen the Fathers and Family Relationships Program (FFRP) consolidate its reputation in the specialist provision of evidencebased father-specific family relationship services. Group programs delivered to fathers and parents included Bringing Up Great Kids, Circle of Security, Dads Tuning in to Kids, Tuning in to Kids and Tuning in to Teens. Seven multi-session parenting group programs were facilitated by Kids First with partnering organisations Anglicare Victoria and City of Whittlesea Maternal Child Health. FFRP also joined with the City of Darebin to co-facilitate drop-in Dads and Kids Playgroups. FFRP offered booster sessions to participants of all multi-session parenting programs, commonly scheduled three months post-group.
The popular initiative provided a space for participants to re-group, revise and practice specific parenting strategies, address any further topics of concern or access referrals to other services. In collaboration with the City of Banyule, single session parenting seminars were trialled by FFRP. An Emotional Regulation in Young Children session was delivered to a large group of parents in May, proving a suitable stepping stone for participants to attend one of the aforementioned group programs. Developing strong professional relationships and networks in core municipalities proved a successful strategy to increase awareness of a father’s importance to their children’s development. The Father Inclusive Practice Network (FIPN) continued to grow with over 183 members appreciating guest speakers at quarterly meetings and sharing practice wisdom. Kids First is confident the FFRP enjoys a sound reputation in the sector as being a leader in the provision of father-specific services, collaborative and integrated practice, group work and counselling. Furthermore, the FIPN has established a solid platform for advocacy and community capacity building in father inclusive practice.
183 professional members of the Fathers Inclusive Practice Network
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Kids First Australia
First Point of Call
1,803 Referrals received and assessed in 2017/2018
Child FIRST/The Orange Door Child FIRST continued to meet increased demand each month resulting in over 1,500 referrals being assessed by the team and over 3,000 calls responded to not resulting in a referral. The majority of referrals presented with issues of family violence, mental health and drug and alcohol which resulted in the neglect and abuse of children and the need for intervention by a range of family service agencies to support families. The program continued to be an active partner in the daily North East region L17 (family violence reports) Multi-Agency Triage meetings with Berry Street and Child Protection. Here, every family violence incident attended by police where children were present was triaged. Also, the program contributed to the monthly state-wide Risk Assessment and Management Panels (RAMP) in relation to information gathering, risk assessment and planning for the highest risk and complex family violence cases in the North East region. Arising from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence recommendation, calling for greater collaboration, transparency and integration across service systems responsible for keeping women and children safe whilst holding violent men to account, the Victorian State Government announced the establishment of Support and Safety Hubs to replace existing referral points for children and families in need of support (Child FIRST) and victims of family violence. The NorthEast Metropolitan Area (NEMA) was chosen as one of the first five support and Safety Hubs to be established in Victoria. Kids First was subsequently appointed a lead partner in the establishment and operations of North East Melbourne’s ‘The Orange Door’ Support and Safety Hub commencing in July 2018.
Similar to Child FIRST, The Orange Door will provide one access point for women, children and families to receive support if they are experiencing family violence, or any issue that impacts on child wellbeing and family function. In many cases, families will be referred onto the NEMA Integrated Family Services Alliance for case work and therapeutic interventions. Child FIRST now operates as The Orange Door based in Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, along with Berry Street family violence services, Dianella Plenty Valley (DPV) men’s services, VACCA and Department of Health and Human Services community-based child protection. Committed to providing specialist holistic assessment and intervention to families, Kids First holds the integrated practice portfolio within The Orange Door and applies a child wellbeing and family focused lens. In response to Child FIRST/The Orange Door’s ever-increasing referral workload, the North East Child and Family Services Alliance continue to refine a demand management strategy to reduce waiting times for families, manage risk and provide a timelier service response.
12,112 Hours of service provided to families
3,104 Family and professional enquirers responded to by Child First
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Leading the Way
Professional Development and Education Unit The Professional Development and Education Unit continued delivering high quality professional development and education to the sector on a range of topics focusing on keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Interest for our suite of training in the local area from the health, welfare and early education sectors saw the Unit deliver 71 workshops and 350 hours of training over 2017/18. We continued to partner with the City of Whittlesea, Early Learning Association Australia and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. A new partnership with Carer Kafe (Foster Care Association Victoria) commenced, delivering kinship and foster carers’ training in understanding the impact of family violence on children. Another exciting development entailed a partnership with ChildFund Australia to deliver Cyber Safety training in Vietnam. As an organisation committed to ensuring the safety of children, Kids First was pleased to deliver training to over 100 organisations in becoming compliant with the new Victorian Child Safe Standards and creating child safe workplace environments.
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“The training was explicit with good examples given. The trainer gave some practical scenarios of how to approach a child who is being abused which was helpful and educational” — Participant (4R’s Training)
“An excellent PD thank you. Strategies for responding were very clear and aligned with current approaches within schools. Saddened to believe any students are stigmatised - hope this is being eradicated.” — Participant (Harmful Sexual Behaviours Training)
“A better understanding of the complexities of the meaning of being ‘child safe’ and I am feeling empowered with a better understanding of child safe standards.” — Participant (Safer Organisations Training)
92%
1,095
Satisfaction level reported by course participants
Professionals trained in 2017/2018
Kids First Australia
Our commitment to Quality
The Kids First quality management system developed in accordance with the ISO9001:2015 quality management standard provides a strong foundation for continuous improvement and a basis to implement our systems and processes to deliver high quality and safe services to our clients. Kids First’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funded services continue to successfully achieve certification to the ISO 9001:2015 standard and the Human Services Standard. The assessment process has identified no non-conformances for the current assessment cycle. Our early year’s centre at Wollert received an overall rating of ‘Exceeding’ in its very first year of operation. Our EYEP at Heidelberg West received a rating of ‘Excellent’ for the second time in a row, only one of very few services across Australia to receive this rating twice from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority. We are extremely proud of our achievements which clearly demonstrate our commitment to continual business improvement and the delivery of innovative and high quality services to better meet the needs of our clients.
Australian Charities Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Kids First is a registered charity under the ACNC, and is able to display the official charity tick logo on all print and display materials. For more information please visit www.acnc.gov.au
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Research
Research
Caring Dads
Kids First continued to place great value on research to ensure our programs and services are rigorously reviewed and evaluated with measured client outcomes. Our other aim is to build a strong evidence base that can be shared across the child and family services sector.
Caring Dads is an Australia-first trial led by Kids First and funded by the Victorian State Government and Gandel Philanthropy.
Research projects that concluded or are nearly finished include:
Children & Mothers in Mind The Children and Mothers in Mind (CMIM) program has its origins in two Canadian evidence-informed programs - Mothers in Mind and Connections – developed and successfully delivered by the Child Development Institute and Mothercraft/Breaking the Cycle respectively. CMIM is an early intervention program that assists mothers who have experienced hurtful events to overcome their personal trauma and become the parent their young child needs. Kids First is leading this first Australian trial with funding from the Victorian Government and RE Ross Trust. The University of Melbourne is independently evaluating this program, building on a previous evaluation of Mothers in Mind (MiM) that Kids First trialled over 2017. The final report is due in early 2019.
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Kids First Australia
Developed in Canada by the University of Toronto and Changing Ways, this partnership between a university and community agency sees the program based on a solid foundation of both theory and practice. An independent University of Melbourne evaluation of this program, in conjunction with the University of Toronto, aims to build an evidence base for the effectiveness of Caring Dads, both in the Victorian service delivery system and within the broader Australian context. This will be achieved by: – Measuring the outputs and outcomes associated with the Caring Dads program at three Victorian sites; – Identifying how Caring Dads fits within the Victorian service delivery system; – Exploring the adaptation needs of Caring Dads for an Australian audience. The final report on the program is due in 2019.
Early Years Education Program: Randomised Controlled Trial The Early Years Education Program (EYEP) model has been co-designed with early childhood experts to provide insights into the developmental and social outcomes from providing high quality intensive early education and care to vulnerable children within a trauma informed approach. Melbourne University Department of Economics is funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) to undertake an Australian first randomised control trial of our unique EYEP. We were particularly pleased after five years of work to share the first two research reports ‘Changing the life trajectories of Australia’s most vulnerable children’ from the Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of our EYEP. The first report provides a detailed analysis of the characteristics and family backgrounds of children in the program compared with representative samples of children from all households and low socio-economic status (SES) households in Australia. The findings highlight that even relative to children living in low SES households the children participating in the trial are highly disadvantaged. The second report presents initial findings on the impact on children and their primary caregivers after twelve months of enrolment in the EYEP. The main findings indicate a large estimated impact on boys’ IQ and the absence of impact on other outcomes (consistent with evidence on initial impacts from previous early years program trials). However, the large changes in IQ observed for many children between the time of entry to the trial and at twelve months is a reason for caution in interpreting the findings. Therefore, at this stage, findings on the impact from twelve months of attendance at EYEP should be interpreted as encouraging, but as yet inconclusive. The reports are available on the Kids First website. We hope they are informative, and we look forward to providing the next report in early 2019 on the outcomes for children after 24 months in the EYEP.
The EYEP has been made possible by funding from Kids First, Commonwealth and State Governments, philanthropic organisations, individual donors and the Australian Research Council. We thank all of them for investing in this Australia-first research to transform early education and care services for vulnerable children and families.
Korin Korin Early Years Program Since its 2016 opening in northern Melbourne growth suburb Wollert, in partnership with the City of Whittlesea, Korin Korin has adapted best practice elements of our EYEP for vulnerable children to a universal kindergarten environment. This includes enhanced educator training, preschool mental health consults, staff supervision/coaching and family support services. This wrap-around model of care for children and families at Korin Korin underwent a thorough National Australia Bank Foundation funded evaluation. In early 2018 the final report was released by Monash University’s Centre of Health Research and Implementation. Key findings indicated Korin Korin’s provision of staff supervision, training and coaching has been invaluable for educators in the provision of high quality education and care to children, as well as building parenting capacity.
“The training provided to educators is exceptional, unique within the sector, rigorous and purposeful. Educators are enabled to consider their responsiveness to vulnerable children and enhance their engagement and ability to connect with families. This includes a deep understanding of Kids First service philosophy and the referral programs available for children and families.” — Korin Korin Educator
Annual Report 2018
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Fundraising Events
24
Kids First Australia
Lunchtime Rumours Feast The Lunchtime Rumors Feast held on the 11 August 2017 at the Plaza Ballroom was again a tremendous afternoon of food, fun and fundraising for the benefit of thousands of vulnerable children and families Kids First supports each year. In fact, the event raised a record return in the order of $185,000 to support our work. The afternoon began with a video featuring participants and workers involved with our Caring Dads service, in which a few fathers spoke of the transformative capacity of the program on their relationships with their children. On a lighter note, director, producer, screenwriter, actor and comedian Rob Sitch shared amusing anecdotes with 3AW Breakfast host and Kids First patron Ross Stevenson.
We also thank our tireless Rumors Feast volunteer organisers Elaine Marriner, Margaret Robinson and Leonie McNicol, in addition to the following; 3AW Macquarie Media, Ross Stevenson, John Burns, 3AW Breakfast Team, Marriner Group and staff, Elaine & David Marriner and family, Chanel, De Bortoli Wines, Bertocchi, The Westin Melbourne, Racing Victoria, AFL, Channel 9 The Footy Show, Feathertop Winery, The Gordon Frost Organisation, E&S Trading, Park Hyatt Melbourne, Australian Barbecue Academy, Kieser, Marriott Hotel Melbourne, Pumphouse Hotel, Koko Black, Meyer Cookware Australia, Mercedes Benz Berwick, Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Windsor Management Insurance Brokers, Orica/ Scott, Jackett, Bambra Press, Mantons Creek Estate, Portsea Village Resort, Crown Hotels Melbourne, Cricket Australia, Calendar Cheese Company, Michelton Wines, Performance Automobiles, Mercedes-Benz Hobart, Four Points by Sheraton and Sheraton Melbourne.
Later, ventriloquist comedian Darren Carr had the 450 guests in the palm of his free hand with a sidesplitting routine.
Trend: A Night of Fashion and Fun
As always, the auction was a highlight and Kids First thanks all the sponsors and generous bidders.
A new fundraising event was added to the calendar in October – ‘Trend: A Night of Fashion and Fun’ also hosted in the Regent Theatre’s beautiful Plaza Ballroom. After the mood was set by the rich and powerful voices of Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, a Mentoring Mums video inspired many guests to find out more about the simple yet powerful service that assists struggling new mums. Last on the card was a lively and fun fashion parade with clothes modeled with style and flair by Ark Clothing Company staff.
Annual Report 2018
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Kieser Golf Day
Nelson Alexander Foundation Day
The fifth Annual Kieser Charity Golf Day was held in April at Yarra Yarra Golf Club. An early tee-off didn’t deter a record number of participants. And once the fog lifted, golfers enjoying the majestic course were bathed in stunning Autumn sunshine.
In May 2018, Nelson Alexander, as part of their annual ‘Foundation Day’, chose Kids First to donate their professional fee from an auction in Reservoir – a tremendous figure of $50,400.
Nearly 30 groups participated in the fun and forgiving Ambrose format. At lunch auctioneer/ MC Mark McKeon was in fine form, especially playing both interviewer and interviewee when presenting the overall winners’ trophy to his own group! Amid Mark’s antics, Kids First CEO Aileen Ashford shared insights into the Caring Dads program. We sincerely thank Kieser Training, Eziway Salary Packaging, Brighton BMW and Leonie McNicol for their tremendous support with the event.
Executive Wealth Circle The EWC is an elite networking circle of successful, influential business men and women who’ve migrated from China, sharing a common desire to integrate and engage with like-minded individuals in the wider Australian community. In 2017 EWC held their inaugural Gala Dinner at the Park Hyatt and raised $20,000 for Kids First as their chosen charitable partner We look forward to continuing our charitable partnership for many years to come.
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Kids First Australia
Since its inception, the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has distributed over $2.25m to worthy local community causes.
Commonwealth Bank Charity Ball At the annual CBA Charity Gala Ball in July 2017 at the Crown Palladium, Kids First was one of two charitable partners to be selected by the Commonwealth Bank Staff Social & Charity Club to receive an amazing $90,000.
Retail Op Shop
Retail Op Shop The ongoing distraction and inconvenience of the level crossing removal works in Rosanna did little to deter loyal shoppers from supporting our muchloved Op Shop. Established in 1984, the local institution continues to be a hive of activity with customers contributing over $160,000 in revenue to support our Early Years services this year. The shop was also grateful for the continued generosity of our key supporter the Westin Hotel Melbourne and countless other donors who guarantee the store is always bursting with interesting bargains. The other key to the success of this community treasure are the dozens of dedicated volunteers (aged between 15 and 90) who donate thousands of hours of their time. Their friendly service, a keen sense of community and the motivation to support children and families in need is integral to the shop’s ongoing popularity.
Annual Report 2018
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Treasurer’s Report
Finance Committee Report For Year Ending 30 June 2018 The Children’s Protection Society recently changed its name to Kids First Australia. The financial reports for the financial year to June 2018 refer to the Children’s Protection Society, as this name change occurred post 30 June 2018.
The Children’s Protection Society achieved a consolidated operating surplus of $1,873,524. The result reflects the timing benefits from the early receipt of funding for future commitments post 30 June 2018. The underlying operating surplus for the operations of the Society, excluding timing benefits, was a surplus of $188,211. This remains a strong result and compares favorably to the underlying deficit of $109,535 in the prior 2017 financial year. This result reflects the strong financial management of the organisation, operational efficiencies, the addition of new programs, strong performances within investment portfolios.
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Kids First Australia
Headline vs Underlying Performance (FY2017 to FY2018)
1,585
1,873.5
Cashflow Timing
FY18
2,000
1,500
1,000
684.3
500 100.3 188.2 109.5
0 -714.6 -79.2
Increase
Decrease
Annual Report 2018
Investment Income
FY18 Underlying Surplus
FY17 Underlying Deficit
Investment Income
Cashflow Timing
FY17
-500
Total
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Financial highlights For Year Ending 30 June 2018 Revenue While government grants continue to be the main source of revenue, there was a welcome increase in income from non-government sources. Total revenue for the year was $14,644,682, an increase of $4,222,834 (40.5%) on prior year results. Notably: – government grants accounted for $12,772,549 (87% of total revenue), an increase of $3,978,546 (45%) on the prior year; – revenue from philanthropic trusts was $784,653 (5%), an increase of $58,143 (32%) on the prior year; – revenue from donations and subscriptions $363,850 (3%), an increase of $58,143 (19%) on the prior year; – revenue from operating activities was $284,298 (2%), an increase of $ 10,947 (4%) on prior year; and – revenue from Investment was $199,907 (2%), an increase of $ 27,839 (16%) on prior year. Expenditure While the main area of expenditure continues to be in employee remuneration, there has been a significant increase in client expenditure. This additional expenditure being attributed to the introduction of new programs. Total expenditure for the year was $12,771,157, reflecting an increase of $3,033,563 (31%) on prior year results.
Notably: – Employee benefit expense increased by $1,008,295 (15%) but fell as a percentage of overall expenditure. This expenditure increase is the result of general salary increases and additional program positions that have been filled during the year. – Client expenses increased by $2,314,887 (247%) on the prior year. – Combined expenditure for depreciation, Motor vehicles, accommodation and office expenses reduced by $289,619 (16%). This is the result of reduced consultancy fees paid in 2017/18. Key Assets and Liabilities Net assets as at 30 June 2018 were $8,377,720 - an increase of 31%. Assets include cash, investments and trade receivables of $9,710,656 and noncurrent assets of $1,048,865. These assets are offset by total liabilities of $2,381,801. Total equity is $1,873,924 higher than in the year ended 30 June 2017, reflecting the consolidated entity’s operating surplus for the year adjusted for net value gain on available for sale financial assets. The following statements provide an overview of the financial performance of CPS for the financial year and its financial position as at 30 June 2018. A copy of the detailed audited financial statements for this year can be obtained from the Director Corporate Services or through our website: www.kidsfirstaustralia.org.au. This year’s financial results leave Kids First Australia (formerly CPS) well-placed to capitalise further on its strong financial foundations and continue its development and delivery of evidenced based services. Simon Hutchings Treasurer
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Kids First Australia
2018 Asset Compositions 7 3
4
5
2018 Liabilities and Equity Compositions
8 4
6
3 1
1
2
2
1 / Cash and cash equivalents: 53%
1 / Equity: 78%
2 / Investments 36%
2 / Trade and other payables: 12%
3 / Trade and other receivables: 1%
3 / Provisions: 6%
4 / Other current assets: 1% 5 / Land: 1%
4 / Deferred revenue: 4% 5 / Borrowings: 0%
6 / Buildings: 6% 7 / Leasehold improvements: 1% 8 / Plant and equipment: 1%
Annual Report 2018
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Statement of Comprehensive Income For the Financial Year Ended 30 June 2018
Consolidated
Society
Revenue
2018 $
2017 $
2018 $
2017 $
Less expenses:
14,644,681
10,421,847
14,529,772
10,329,931
Employee benefit expense
7,721,149
6,712,853
7,721,149
6,712,853
Client expense
3,249,927
935,040
3,249,927
935,040
Depreciation expense
251,145
237,660
251,145
237,660
Motor vehicle expense
195,607
200,748
195,607
200,748
Accommodation expense
534,954
526,645
534,954
526,643
Office expense
818,375
1,124,648
803,743
1,111,937
Surplus attributable to members
1,873,524
684,253
1,773,247
605,050
Income Tax Expense
-
-
-
-
Surplus for the year
1,873,524
684,253
1,773,247
605,050
Net fair value movement on available for sale financial assets
134,937
310,218
59,264
138,660
Total Comprehensive Income for the year
2,008,461
994,471
1,832,511
743,710
Items that may be classified subsequent to profit & loss
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Kids First Australia
Statement of Financial Position As at 30 June 2018
Consolidated
Society
2018 $
2017 $
2018 $
2017 $
Cash and cash equivalents
5,679,337
3,590,602
5,618,181
3,562,331
Investments
3,832,949
3,645,639
1,681,126
1,599,684
Other current assets
76,659
66,811
76,659
66,811
Trade & other receivables
121,711
120,415
85,976
95,938
Loan - Children’s Protection Society Foundation
-
-
161,591
186,068
Total current assets
9,710,656
7,423,467
7,623,533
5,510,832
Land
111,077
111,077
111,077
111,077
Buildings
696,288
665,648
696,288
665,648
Leasehold Improvements
131,833
288,200
131,833
288,200
Plant & Equipment
109,667
99,516
109,667
99,516
Total non-current assets
1,048,865
1,164,441
1,048,865
1,164,441
Total Assets
10,759,521
8,587,908
8,672,398
6,675,273
Trade and other payables
1,257,526
683,494
1,257,259
681,764
Provisions
509,797
473,853
509,797
473,853
Deferred revenue
451,001
881,361
451,001
881,361
Borrowings
30,009
30,009
30,009
30,009
Total current liabilities
2,248,333
2,068,717
2,248,066
2,066,987
Provisions
123,465
109,919
123,465
109,919
Borrowings
10,003
40,012
10,003
40,012
Total Non-Current liabilities
133,468
149,931
133,468
149,931
Total Liabilities
2,381,801
2,218,648
2,381,534
2,216,918
Net Assets
8,377,720
6,369,260
6,290,864
4,458,355
Accumulated funds
8,019,453
6,145,930
6,139,228
4,365,983
Settled sum
100
100
-
-
Investments Revaluation Reserve
358,167
223,230
151,636
92,372
Total Equity
8,377,720
6,369,260
6,290,864
4,458,355
Current Assets
Non -Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Equity
Annual Report 2018
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Kids First Australia
Our Partners and Supporters
Thank You Since 1896, Kids First has been a leader in the community services sector, providing family support, counselling, education and therapeutic services to children and families facing challenges in our community. We can’t do this work alone, and we would like to thank our valued supporters whose efforts each year enable us to continue working towards expanding and developing our services and programs, ensuring that all children and young people thrive in resilient, strong families and communities. Kids First acknowledges the generosity of individuals, businesses, community groups, philanthropic trusts and government departments who support us in helping to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect in families and to improve the life chances and choices for all children.
Annual Report 2018
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Major Partners And Supporters
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Kids First Australia
Groups And Organisations – Angels 3081
– Uniting – Launch Housing
– Anglicare Victoria
– Laurimar Primary School
– Banyule Community Health
– McAuley Community Services for Women
– Barwon Family Violence and Sexual Assault Centre
– Merri Community Health
– Berry Street
– MOSS Incorporated
– Big Group Hug
– Nappy Collective
– Brotherhood of St Laurence – Child Development Institute – Co Health – Council to Homeless Persons – Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare – Early Learning Association Australia
– Odyssey House – Rotary Club of Preston – Salvation Army – St Kilda Mums –Uniting ReGen
– Haven Home Safe
– Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Association
– IPC Health
– Victorian Aboriginal Health Service – VCOSS – Youth Support Advocacy Service (YSAS)
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Other Corporate Sponsors – Australian Barbecue Academy
– Jackett – JB Were
– Australian Football League
– Jellis Craig
– Australian Grand Prix Corporation
– Kieser
– Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
– Koko Black Chocolate
– AV Jennings
– Mantons Creek Estate
– Bambra Press – Brighton BMW – Calendar Cheese Company – Chanel 9 The Footy Show – Chanel Australia – Choice Hotels Group
– Marriott Hotel Melbourne – Mercedes Benz Berwick – Meyer Cookware Australia Pty Ltd – Mitchelton Wines – Orica / Scott
– Commonwealth Bank Staff Social & Charity Club
– Park Hyatt Melbourne
– Cricket Australia
– Portsea Village Resort
– Crown Hotels
– Pumphouse Hotel
– Doncaster Ladies Tennis Club
– Racing Victoria
– De Bortoli – E & S Trading – Eziway Salary Packaging – Executive Wealth Circle – Feathertop Winery – Four Points by Sheraton
– Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd – SEW Eurodrive – Sheraton Melbourne – Templestowe Ladies Tennis Club – The Ark Clothing Co.
– George on Collins
– The European
– Gerry Ryan
– The Gordon Frost Trust Organisation – The Sheraton Hotel – The Westin Melbourne – Windsor Management
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Kids First Australia
Government
Philanthropic Trusts And Foundations
– Victorian Department of Health & Human Services
– Amy Dickinson Legacy Fund
– Victorian Department of Education and Training
– AS & C Figuerola Trust
– Commonwealth Department of Social Services
– Brian M Davis Charitable Foundation
– City of Darebin
– Ephraim Yoffa Charitable Trust
– City of Banyule
– Forest Hill Early Childhood Foundation
– City of Yarra
– Gandel Philanthropy
– City of Whittlesea
– Helen McPherson Smith Trust – Jack Brockhoff Foundation
Universities/Research Institutes
– JB Were Charitable & Endowment Fund
– Charles Sturt University
– Louis and Lesley Nelken Trust
– Deakin University
– Lord Mayors Charitable Fund
– Monash University – Centre of Health, Research and Implementation
– MF Foundation
– Murdoch Children’s Research Institute – The University of Melbourne – University of Toronto
Annual Report 2018
– Nelson Alexander Foundation – Percy Baxter Charitable Trust – Sidney Myer Fund & Myer Foundation – The R E Ross Trust
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Kids First Australia (Trading name of Children’s Protection Society Inc) ABN: 52 303 567 862 Heidelberg Child and Family Centre 70 Altona Street West Heidelberg VIC 3081 Thomastown Child and Family Centre 273 Settlement Road Thomastown VIC 3074
P: 03 9450 0900 F: 03 9457 6057 E: info@kidsfirstaustralia.org.au W: kidsfirstaustralia.org.au @kidsfirstaus /kidsfirstaus /kidsfirstaus /kidsfirstaustralia