Building Effective Service Partnerships Barwon Child, Youth & Family

What does an effective partnership look like? Community Professionals/ Services Family The Developing Child Our approach Early Years work with children and families pre birth 12 yrs universal and secondary sector - vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds Our work is child centred and family centred We work in partnership with : children and families , universal , secondary and tertiary services Child is at the centre - shared interest of ‘ outcomes of the child and best interest ‘ Family – we work in partnership family not in isolation Services – as providers we know we can achieve more together , wrap around services , knowing what's out there Community – better outcomes achieved by linking families into the community supports Partnerships ‘working together for a shared interest’

How does BCYF work effectively/ collaboratively Network Relationships Purpose Communication Attitude Evaluation ‘We can achieve more together’ Networking : We are out there sharing and learning Understanding what others do What we have in common or what are our differences Relationships : We Listen Positive and respectful Discuss an idea or concept try to work it out – what would it look like Always keep it professional regardless if we agree or disagree we are here for a purpose and get the job done Clear Purpose : Time into Planning & putting the plan into action Agreed interest and outcomes MOU formal partnership agreement clarifies Why are we here Discuss can we achieve this Shared interest – the child What can each partners contribute skills Be sure we have the same values are we aligned with our partners ? Understand we can achieve more together Communication : Good communicators Clear and honest & respectful Keeping it professional Not always agree negotiate win - win flexibility Positive attitudes : respect integrity Can do attitude Being real Agree to disagree evaluation : Ongoing reflection evaluation how are we going Adjust

What are the barriers to effective partnerships It should work so why doesn’t it? Control Competition Commitment Attitudes Communication It should work so why doesn’t it ? Control - balance of power and shared contributions Competition - egos Commitment - Attitudes - negative approach Communication Poor communication Lack of clarity purpose why are we here ? no invested interest Other barriers put up at times are privacy confidentiality