The purpose of this presentation is to profile the Caroline Chisholm Society’s maternal wrap-around services in the Goulburn Valley, with a focus on their innovative approach to early intervention for at-risk families. The primary objective was to divert families from the Child Protection system by providing comprehensive, strength-based support to expectant mothers and families with young children. The program specifically targeted women at risk of unborn child reports, a critical intervention point where early support could significantly alter outcomes.
The program delivered a multi-disciplinary suite of services, including home visitations, material aid, and evidence-based parenting programs such as “Bringing Up Great Kids – The First 1000 Days.” These services were provided to over 1,500 clients from January 2021 to May 2024, many of whom faced challenges like homelessness, family violence, and mental health issues. The holistic nature of the program ensured that both immediate needs and long-term family stability were addressed. The impact of these interventions was significant. The program successfully diverted a substantial number of families away from Child Protection involvement, particularly among those at risk of newborn removals. This outcome was assessed through a mixed-methods evaluation, combining quantitative data from the Outcomes Star tool with qualitative insights from focus groups and interviews with volunteers and practitioners. The results showed measurable improvements in key domains such as safety and stability, life skills, and maternal health and wellbeing.
Key lessons from the program include the importance of early, proactive engagement and the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to address the complex needs of vulnerable families. The success of the program highlights the effectiveness of targeted early intervention in promoting family stability and preventing the trauma associated with Child Protection interventions.
Lolou Kini
Acting CEO, Caroline Chisholm Society
Lolou Kini has over 20 years of experience working across federal, state, and local government in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in the corporate and not-for-profit sector. As the Business Manager at the Caroline Chisholm Society, she brings a wealth of expertise in strategic program and risk management, policy design and development, and outcome evaluations. Lolou is passionate about helping community and her multidisciplinary experience allows her to create innovative solutions and drive meaningful change in the communities she serves.
Dr Bengianni Halil-Pizzirani, Director of Research and Evaluation, Impact Initiative
Dr. Bengianni Halil-Pizzirani has a background in developmental social psychology and behavioural statistics and is the current Director of Research and Evaluation at the Impact Initiative. His work spans across various health and social care settings, involving collaborations with government departments, universities, and NGOs around the world. Dr. Halil-Pizzirani’s research primarily revolves around understanding the elements of successful service delivery in community services, and throughout his career, he has been involved in multiple research and evaluation projects focusing on the development of learning systems that enhance the provision of services.
