Actions to drive change

SA Early Years Support Service + Advocacy

• Phase 0 new initiative – Immediate opportunities (already underway)
• Co-design theme/s: Strengthening partnerships with ACCOs | Priority Reform alignment: 2

SNAICC is the National Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This initiative will reduce the administrative burden on ACCOs through the expansion of the SNAICC Early Years Support service (EYS) backbone into South Australia in partnership
with local ACCOs and Aboriginal peak bodies.

The EYS backbone service works with ACCO early years services and local bodies as a trusted and Culturally respectful partner. The EYS provides ACCO ECEC services with practical operational assistance and tailored, responsive support for quality programs. It supports sector connections and strengthened networks, advocacy and representation (in partnership with local Aboriginal
peak bodies).

In addition, complementary formal partnership arrangements between the OECD and South Australian ACCO peak bodies will support peak sector strengthening and capacity for early years engagement, advocacy, policy and governance support. This will position local bodies well to consider future partnerships on implementation of new initiatives.

These partnerships include:

• SAAETCC - the South Australian education peak
  • for engagement and advocacy in early years policy, reform design and implementation, and ongoing co-design governance; and
• Wakwakurna Kanyini - the South Australian peak for Aboriginal Children and Families
  • to increase capacity to engage in early years policy and governance.

This initiative aims to:

• uphold the government’s formal partnership commitments under Priority Reform 1 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, while delivering on Priority Reform 2
• expand family access to strong ACCO-led options; and
• continue to strengthen local South Australian peak bodies.

ACCO Integrated Hubs

• Existing initiative
• Co-design theme/s: Aboriginal Cultural safety and inclusion; Strengthening partnerships with ACCOs

The Government of South Australia has committed to establishing 20 integrated hubs across South Australia. These hubs incorporate integrated supports for the children most at risk of developmental vulnerability and their families, as measured on the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The OECD is working with ACCOs towards the goal of at least 2 of these hubs being ACCO-led.

ACCO-led integrated hubs will provide Aboriginal families access to preschool alongside health, family and other Community support services and programs. Integrated hubs will value and respect the role of families, Elders and Aboriginal Community members as First Teachers. Place-based co-design ensures Community priorities are understood and shape infrastructure requirements that respond to  local needs.

Child Health and  Development Screening

• Existing initiative
• Co-design theme/s: Health and wellbeing outcomes; Family and social factors

Free health and development screening is available for children from birth to 5 years living in South Australia. Screenings help make sure children are growing, learning and thriving, while connecting families with the right support early, if needed.

The Government of South Australia, through the OECD in partnership with the Child and Family Health Service is expanding access to free screening across the state, so families have more appointment times in more locations, including areas with high demand and regional and remote Communities.

The OECD is also working to strengthen access to screening and improve navigation and follow-up pathways for Aboriginal families. ACCHO and ACCO program partnerships have tested the value of linker roles and connecting families to ACCHO delivered health and development screening. A future linker model, connected to the Community Liaison Officer new initiative is now being scoped by the Aboriginal Health Council of SA.