Draft TEI Program Specifications

The cultural safety requirements in the specifications draw from the Cultural Safety and Wellbeing evidence review, which was designed to identify activities, practices or principles that ensure the cultural safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities in early intervention services. The evidence review lists six critical elements to recognise the importance of culture, self-determination, workforce development, whole of organisation approach, leadership and partnerships, research, evaluation and monitoring which we are asking organisations to embed in service design and delivery.

We recognise some TEI providers are at different points on their journey to building their organisational cultural safety and we understand you may need time to build your capability.

Accordingly, there is no set timeline for implementation of these requirements.  We encourage cultural safety to be considered as part of your contract negotiations and ongoing discussions with your contract manager.

The Cultural Safety and Wellbeing program logic in the specifications is designed to offer practical and clear guidance on cultural safety at an organisational level.  Any additional cultural competency training and development opportunities to support cultural safety will be communicated to the sector as they become available.

The process for reporting on cultural safety will be through regular contract management discussions using a continuous improvement approach. The program area is currently considering how this will be implemented in consultation with other parts of DCJ.

• Material Aid
• Intake and assessment
• Business Planning
• Community Sector Planning
• Indigenous Social Participation

Aligning with findings from the TEI and FCS evaluations, the service types have been streamlined to reduce duplication and reduce unnecessary reporting.   As part of this process, some standalone service types have been merged.

Material Aid continues to be important to TEI service delivery, however they are no longer separate service types and can be reported within other service types:

• Community Strengthening program activity - Material Aid has been integrated into the Information/advice/referral service type, recognising it is often used as part of information, advice and referral as a soft entry for clients into the service system.
• FCS and Wellbeing and Safety program activities - Material aid (also known as brokerage) has been integrated into the Family Capacity Building service type.
• Wellbeing and Safety program activity - Material Aid has also been incorporated into the newly created service type of Youth Individualised Support. This acknowledges the unique work youth services do to support the wellbeing and safety of young people and the importance of Material Aid for the engagement and case management of young people. 

Intake and Assessment is primarily a service within Family Capacity Building, so it is now listed with the various other activities that make up Family Capacity Building. It is also recognised that intake and assessment occur in the context of other activities as it is routine practice in TEI service delivery. 

An analysis of data showed the Business Planning service type had been used very few times since reporting started. As a result, it has been removed as a separate service type and planning activities have been incorporated into the definition Community Sector Coordination. 

Due to their similarities, Indigenous Social participation and Indigenous Healing Activities have been merged. The definition of Indigenous Healing Activities has been updated using insights from two evidence reviews to reflect the values and practices of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

It is still possible to provide material aid and brokerage in the TEI program provided it has been agreed with your contract manager. See above for details of the service types which include material aid and brokerage.

Providing Neighbourhood and Community Centres is reflected in the Social Participation service type. The updated definition has made its inclusion in this service type clearer.

The TEI program is further strengthening its commitment to the principles of IDS and IDG by working with the sector to support data collection, reporting and use in line with these principles. The program specifications articulate this commitment. On a practical level we know that data collection, reporting and use should be driven by the needs of the community.

Though the life of the program we will continue to work with the sector and resource local initiatives through a flexible approach to IDS and IDG that meets the needs of local communities. 

Cultural safety and responsiveness will be the focus in the first stage of program implementation. The process for reporting on cultural safety will be through regular contract management discussions. The program area is currently working to develop the detail on what the approach will look like. Reporting requirements for the remaining Service System Outcomes will be developed over time.

We know from the TEI evaluation that some providers have maintained historic program timeframes in TEI. The new specifications make clear there are no timeframes in the TEI program with the exception of FCS which has been extended to 6 months.

Services and supports are designed to focus tailoring support to meet client needs and unique circumstances rather than requiring them to fit into a standardised service model or set timeframes.  You are encouraged to work with clients as long as is necessary to achieve positive outcomes.

It is recognised that this may have an impact on contract outputs. It’s important to discuss this with your DCJ contract manager and make necessary output adjustments when negotiating your TEI contract. It’s critical that we take a flexible approach to families and their needs.

We have been building the evidence for TEI as part of continuous improvement since the commencement of the program.  In 2020, a survey of service providers was conducted to better understand how they access and use research evidence.  In response to feedback that service providers often have limited access to high-quality research about ‘what works’, DCJ developed and launched a publicly available evidence portal containing high quality evidence.  Evidence from the commissioned reviews has now been built into high level program logics for the program and integrated into individual program logic templates for service providers to develop their own program logics from.

When using the portal to design and implement programs or services, we advocate the integration of the research evidence with practitioner expertise and the voice of clients.

Since the launch of the evidence portal in 2022, DCJ has commissioned a number of evidence reviews relevant to early intervention service delivery.  However, it is recognised there are still gaps in the evidence and further reviews will be commissioned on different topics over time.

DCJ has been working to build the evidence for Aboriginal-led programs and commissioned Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources Pty Ltd to conduct an evidence review on Aboriginal-led early support programs and services to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.  This evidence review was unique in that the evidence identified was culturally appraised using a Cultural Lens Matrix.  The findings have been taken back to community to make decisions about further work needed to capture the evidence relating to Aboriginal-led programs.

The program specifications have been updated to strengthen the commitment to outcomes for CALD communities. This includes the importance of TEI services hiring bi-lingual staff and ensuring translation of resources into community languages and ensuring the availability of cultural adaptions under parenting programs and supported playgroups to improve access to language and increase the cultural relevance of programs.  It is acknowledged that work will need to continue to capture the evidence of what works for these communities.

The TEI program area will continue to look for opportunities to continue building the early intervention evidence base over time, including the local evidence base. 

We recognise that completing program logics takes time and resources. As an important part of evidence-based practice, program logics demonstrate the links between your clients' needs, the evidence supporting the TEI program, and your services, outputs, and outcomes.  A program logic provides a framework for monitoring and evaluating, and the evidence helps you to demonstrate the client outcomes that are likely to be achieved as a result of your service activities.

Individual program logic templates for each program activity have been released to make it easier and more user-friendly for you to complete.  There are also examples of how the templates can be completed within the templates.

A program logic e-module training course is available to help you understand the approach to evidence and program logics and how to complete a program logic for the program activities you are funded to deliver.  This applies to providers delivering services under the Community Strengthening and Wellbeing and Safety program activities who are contractually required to complete an individual program logic for each program activity.

Family Connect and Support (FCS) providers do not need to develop a separate individual program logic for this program activity as the FCS model of service delivery is the same across the state.

Use of the new program logic templates is currently optional.  However, it is strongly recommended that providers transition to the new program logic templates as soon as practical, such as through an annual program logic review or as part of contract negotiations, as they will become mandatory under the new program.  Further details on the timeline will be released once available.

Yes. You will be required to develop more than one program logic if you are delivering services under more than one program activity.

Individual program logic templates have been developed to assist you complete your program logics.  These templates have been pre-populated with the available evidence.  You may add relevant evidence to your program logics, which is optional.

Service providers delivering services under both the Community Strengthening program activity and the Wellbeing and Safety program activity are required to complete a program logic for each of these program activities.

For service providers delivering services under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity, there are two available program logic templates:

• Wellbeing and Safety – Children and families is for service providers delivering services to children and families, which includes the Preventing Child Maltreatment evidence review core components.
• Wellbeing and Safety – Young people is for service providers delivering services specifically for young people, which includes the Youth Socioemotional wellbeing evidence review core components.

Service providers in the Family Connect and Support program (FCS) are not required to develop an individual program logic as the FCS model of service delivery is the same across the state.

Service Providers are not required to develop an individual Cultural Safety and Wellbeing program logic but should aim to embed the critical elements in the high-level program logic in their service delivery, which is available in the program specifications.

Further detail and information on the requirements for program logics is available in the Program logic e-module.

This will depend on which program activity your service delivery is contracted under.  If you are delivering services to young people under more than one program activity, you will need to complete more than one program logic.

Community Strengthening service providers who work with young people should consider the four best practice elements from the Youth Work – Agency and Empowerment evidence review when designing and delivering their services.  This evidence is built into the Community Strengthening program logic template. When developing your program logic you should consider how your activities address these best practice elements.

Wellbeing and Safety service providers who work with young people should consider the five core components from the Youth Socioemotional wellbeing evidence review and the four best practice elements from the Youth Work – Agency and Empowerment evidence review.  This evidence is built into the Wellbeing and Safety – Young people program logic template. When developing your program logic you should consider how your activities address these core components and best practice elements.

Please note:

• If you are providing services to children and families, as well as young people, you will need to develop an individual program logic for each group.  The Wellbeing and Safety – Children and Families program logic template addresses the five core components from the Preventing Child Maltreatment evidence review.
• You do not need to be a “youth specific” service to complete the Wellbeing and Safety – Young people program logic.  If a large part of your service delivery involves support to young people and/or ‘youth individualised support’ as a service type, then it is strongly recommended that you use this program logic template.

Further detail and information on the requirements for program logics is available in the Program logic e-module.

The program logic activities change as needs and local priorities change, so you must review your program logic at least annually. Doing so will help you link what you are doing with why you are doing it. It will also help you monitor and evaluate that your service is achieving the intended outcomes. The annual review of your program logic will form part of contract management. 

Core components are the parts of a program that are common across evidence-informed programs.  There are flexible activities within each core component which are examples of different ways the core component can be delivered. In the TEI program, we are using a core component approach to how we collate, build and use evidence.  This supports flexible, evidence-informed service delivery tailored to local needs.

In the program specifications, we have mapped the core components to the Wellbeing and Safety service types, so you can see how your service delivery aligns to the core components .  Through mapping we can also identify opportunities for service providers to work together in the local service system to ensure clients have access to all of the core components they need.

There are two program logics that include core components:

• Wellbeing and Safety – Children and families is for service providers delivering services to children and families, which includes the Preventing Child Maltreatment evidence review core components.
• Wellbeing and Safety – Young people is for service providers delivering services specifically for young people, which includes the Youth Socioemotional wellbeing evidence review core components.

The resource Understanding the Core Components approach resource has further information about how we conceptualise the approach used in the DCJ evidence portal.  The program logic e-module also provides detailed information on the core components approach and how these are used in individual program logics.

The Preventing Child Maltreatment evidence review identifies that when all five core components are delivered, they contribute to preventing child maltreatment.

We want to build an early intervention sector delivering services that includes all the components that prevent child maltreatment. Therefore, wherever possible, children and families who require support from services in the Wellbeing and Safety program activity should have access to services that include all five core components. However:

• Not all core components need to be offered by each TEI service provider. You can refer to or partner with another service that is already delivering a core component within the LGA. A formal partnership arrangement does not need to be in place.
• The other service provider does not need to be a TEI service. They could be an early intervention service that is part of the broader early intervention network, such as another DCJ-funded program, NSW Health service or a service receiving Commonwealth funding.
• If there is no provider available for you to refer to in your local network or area, then you should tick the box ‘Not delivered’ in your program logic template.

The program logic e-module provides further detail about how to develop your program logic using the core components.

General information on evidence-informed supported playgroup models is available on the DCJ evidence portal.

High level information on evidence-informed parenting programs is available on the DCJ evidence portal, such as target group, duration, program approach and links to further information including the program summary on the evidence portal.

Information about training and licensing costs of the model or program should be sourced directly from the owner as costs can vary depending on the training requirements and particular components and format being delivered.

The TEI program is not mandating the use of a particular model or program. You should consider the evidence in the context of the most appropriate option for their target group, local need and budget. 

If you consider a locally designed model is more appropriate, you can discuss this with your contract manager and complete a brief template to outline the program being proposed and the rationale for selecting this program.

Supported playgroups and parenting programs delivered by ACCOs or by non-ACCO Aboriginal staff to Aboriginal families should be locally designed with input from community and practitioner expertise and any available evidence.  A template does not need to be completed.

Supported playgroup models should also incorporate the best practice principles and additional key elements of supported playgroups delivered to Aboriginal families which were identified in the evidence scan as well as align with the Early Years Learning Framework.

Assistance with training is currently under consideration.  At this stage, The Parenting Research Centre has been contracted by Fams to deliver Smalltalk training and post-training implementation support to 120 practitioners from TEI-funded services in NSW in 2024/2025. 

Fams is also delivering a Supported Playgroup Network for supported playgroup practitioners to raise and discuss practice issues.

It is recognised some of the parenting programs on the evidence-informed list may not work in specific local contexts or for specific client groups and locally designed programs may be more suitable. For example, parents of children with a disability, families experiencing domestic and family violence and culturally and linguistically diverse families. 

If you want to deliver a parenting program that is not on the evidence-informed list of 37 programs, you will need to complete a brief template (see below) which outlines the program you are proposing to deliver and the reasons why you are choosing this program.  You should provide any supporting evidence of your program’s effectiveness if available – this may include practitioner expertise, SCORE data held on the Data Exchange (DEX) and client feedback. You should submit the form to your DCJ district contract manager who will provide this to the TEI central program area for decision.

If you are an ACCO delivering parenting programs to Aboriginal people or you are a non-ACCO with Aboriginal staff delivering parenting programs to Aboriginal people, then there is no requirement for you to consider a parenting program from the list and you do not need to complete the template.

Choice of which program to deliver should be driven by local need, client compatibility and cultural safety.  Parenting programs under the TEI Program should always be voluntary and free to attend.

Practical skills building, role modelling and coaching by a caseworker are important services to support parents’ understanding, knowledge and skills in their child’s developmental needs.  Such programs might include (but are not limited to) life skills, budgeting and nutrition-based programs. 

Where activities do not fit within the definition of a parenting program, they could be reported under another service type, such as ‘Family Capacity Building’ or ‘Education and Skills training’ – for example, a one-day information workshop. If in doubt, we encourage you to discuss this with your contract manager.

The definition of the service type “Parenting Programs” has been clarified in the program specifications, “Programs that provide support specifically targeted at understanding and strengthening parent/child relationships through education, knowledge and/or practical skill building for parents. Parenting programs are usually delivered in a structured format. This could be undertaken in different settings, including but not limited to, home visits, a community venue, online or the service provider location.”

Choice of which program to deliver should always be driven by local need, client compatibility and cultural safety.

If you wish to deliver an adapted version of one of the evidence-informed supported playgroup models you will first need to check the licensing arrangements of the model you are proposing to deliver as there may be restrictions around modifying the content.  If you are planning on delivering a supported playgroup model which is specifically designed for your local CALD community, you should complete the template which outlines the proposed model, the reasons why you are choosing this and any supporting evidence, including practitioner expertise and client feedback as well as research evidence.  You should submit the form to your DCJ district contract manager who will provide this to the TEI central program area for decision.

It is expected that any model proposed should follow the best practice principles identified from the Supported Playgroups Evidence Scan and align with the Early Years Learning Framework. 

In addition, you should consider the specific requirements appropriate to CALD families, for example, CALD facilitators and translated resources.

You should choose a program that suits local need. If there is not one suitable on the list, you can propose a locally designed model. 

You can also offer a combination of one or more different supports or models.  For example, you negotiate in your contract a portion of service delivery under the Wellbeing and Safety Supported Playgroup service type, and a portion under Community Strengthening Community Playgroup service type.

There could be variation in how this is implemented in practice, depending on the local demand for playgroups and what outcomes a service is looking to achieve by offering playgroups. You may identify a number of supported playgroup participants could benefit from being part of a community playgroup to keep them engaged and connected longer. Others might have enough demand and capacity to offer both models all year round.  This is a matter for discussion when setting service delivery parameters with your contract manager.

The list of evidence-informed parenting programs and supported playgroup models were sourced from DCJ commissioned evidence reviews that identified programs/models with a high-strength evidence base, for example, evaluated using a rigorous quantitative method such as randomised controlled trial or quasi-experimental design.  It is recognised that further research is needed to build the evidence base for Aboriginal programs, particularly well-designed quantitative studies with control groups. 

As noted in the DCJ-commissioned Aboriginal-led Early Support programs evidence review, it is generally accepted within Aboriginal communities that ACCOs are best placed to understand, design, and deliver services that respond to the needs of their communities. However, there is limited information on what evidence exists about the characteristics, implementation and impact of Aboriginal-led programs designed to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal families and communities. 

This review consolidated a broad range of evidence on early support programs which were designed, led and delivered by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people, and assessed this evidence according to culturally informed criteria.  This review identified eight common themes among the highly-rated evidence about Aboriginal-led early support programs designed for Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.

The Supported Playgroups Evidence scan identified two supported playgroup models delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Exploring Together Preschool Program (ETPP) and KindiLink, that show a promising evidence base. The Supported Playgroups evidence scan also identified a number of key elements of successful Aboriginal supported playgroups delivered to Aboriginal people.

These resources may be useful when delivering supported playgroups to Aboriginal families. 

ACCOs and Aboriginal staff in non-ACCOs delivering services to Aboriginal families should offer parenting programs and supported playgroups that are locally designed with input from community and practitioner expertise.  Providers may also choose to use culturally adapted models/programs where appropriate for their client need, for example, Indigenous Triple P.

The TEI Program recognises the unique and critical work that Community Strengthening providers do to build and facilitate community cohesion, inclusion and wellbeing. Working with ‘community’ is reflected in the overall TEI ‘target population’ which is:

‘The target population for the TEI program is children, young people, families and communities within NSW who are in need’.

The purpose of having additional specific target groups is to provide a more focussed approach for priority groups within the broader TEI population who have been identified as having known vulnerabilities. As community is a broader category of people it is not specified as a separate ‘target group’ in the program specifications.

No, you are not expected to work with all target groups listed in the program specifications. The target groups are the groups that are recommended to be prioritised for service delivery in the Stronger Communities Investment Approach. These key groups are not mutually exclusive, and it is not an exhaustive list.

You may support other client groups according to local priorities and needs.  This is flexible and should be negotiated with the contract manager based on what is needed in the local area.

It is not expected that all TEI staff will have clinical qualifications. If you are delivering counselling services to children and young people with particular mental health conditions, then staff will need appropriate qualifications.  In other instances, where staff are delivering other service types not requiring qualifications, and it is identified that the child or young person requires counselling or psychological services, then relevant referrals should be made.

Many children and young people affected by mental health conditions will benefit from TEI services that do not require the staff to have clinical qualifications e.g. Youth Individualised Support. These services can be an important ‘soft entry’ for children and young people to access more targeted or specialised services.