Maternal and Child Health Policy and Procedure
Outreach
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
OUTREACH SERVICE
Policy and Procedure
Application
All MCH staff working within The Outreach Service.
Officer Responsible
MCH Coordination Team
City Of Whittlesea – Maternal and Child Health
Document Name:
Outreach Policy
Date:
January 2016
Document Owner:
Maternal and Child Health
Version:
1
Approved By:
Leanne Taylor
Page Number:
Maternal and Child Health Policy and Procedure
Outreach
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. 2
BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
PURPOSE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..4
PROCEDURE………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….5
LINKS TO CURRENT STRATEGY………………………………………………………………………..……….6
City Of Whittlesea – Maternal and Child Health
Document Name:
Outreach Policy
Date:
January 2016
Document Owner:
Maternal and Child Health
Version:
1
Approved By:
Leanne Taylor
Page Number:
Maternal and Child Health Policy and Procedure
Outreach
BACKGROUND:
Universal services are the linchpin to preventing vulnerability and supporting families. Such
services must be provided with a flexible approach to ensure optimal engagement.
(Professional Practice Guidelines for Health, Wellbeing and Education Professionals, Version 1, Oct
2015).
DET MCH Guidelines underpin the delivery of the Maternal and Child Health service, with the aim
of ensuring access and inclusion, providing holistic approach to service delivery and working in
partnership with families in the community. It is acknowledged that barriers remain that inhibit
universal access:

Lack of transport options

Rigid appointment based consultations

Early return to work for parents

New residents not aware of the local MCH Service.

High levels of vulnerability that further prevent engagement and decrease the Maternal
and Child health Service being seen as a priority e.g. Family Violence, homelessness,
unemployment, transport.

Language Barriers
Currently the city of Whittlesea offers a universal service accessible to families in a range of
service delivery modes, both fixed and flexible:
 Standalone MCH centres.
 Shop front MCH centres.
 Community Activity centres.
 Enhanced MCH.
 Open Sessions, no appointment required.
 Breast Feeding Support drop in sessions, no appointment required.
 New Parents Groups.
 Specialist Groups.
 Play groups.
City Of Whittlesea – Maternal and Child Health
Document Name:
Outreach Policy
Date:
January 2016
Document Owner:
Maternal and Child Health
Version:
1
Approved By:
Leanne Taylor
Page Number:
Maternal and Child Health Policy and Procedure
Outreach
PURPOSE:
To increase participation rates in Key Age and Stage consultations by engaging with clients who
cannot access the MCH Service or have become disengaged.
OBJECTIVES:
This policy aims to:

Actively outreach to Child Care Providers within the municipality.

Actively outreach to kindergartens providing 3 year old programs.

Work collaboratively with referral hospitals to improve the transition for clients from
hospital to home.

Actively outreach clients in their homes that are unable to attend MCH centres.

Actively engage new residents to The City of Whittlesea with MCH services.
City Of Whittlesea – Maternal and Child Health
Document Name:
Outreach Policy
Date:
January 2016
Document Owner:
Maternal and Child Health
Version:
1
Approved By:
Leanne Taylor
Page Number:
Maternal and Child Health Policy and Procedure
Outreach
PROCEDURES:
1. Criteria for admission to the Outreach Program
1.1. Children attending childcare / kindergarten and cannot access centre based MCH services
1.2. Babies/ young children who have experienced a significant illness and need immediate
follow up on discharge from hospital, the follow up cannot be provided by the centre
based MCH nurse
1.3. Parents who cannot attend the MCH service because of a significant barrier.
2. Management of the Outreach Program:
The Outreach program will:
2.1 Liaise with local kindergartens / childcare centres to deliver the outreach program.
2.2 Provide program information for parents and care givers.
2.3 Provide program consent forms.
2.4 Accept referrals from hospitals, MCH staff, Child Care Centres and Kindergartens if clients
meet program criteria.
2.5 Provide feedback to the primary MCH nurse where there are concerns about a child and or
parent.
2.6 Record episodes of delivered care in the child health record an in City of Whittlesea MCH
information management systems.
2.7 All client bookings are to be made in consultation with the MCH outreach staff by
contacting Mobile:
0429 190 150.
City Of Whittlesea – Maternal and Child Health
Document Name:
Outreach Policy
Date:
January 2016
Document Owner:
Maternal and Child Health
Version:
1
Approved By:
Leanne Taylor
Page Number:
Maternal and Child Health Policy and Procedure
Outreach
LINKS TO CURRENT STRATEGY:

Connect Municipal Plan 2013-2018. Strategic direction 2,3,4 &5.

Maternal and Child Health Service Guidelines 2011.

Victoria’s Maternal and Child Health Service – Future Directions Consultation Paper 2014
City Of Whittlesea – Maternal and Child Health
Document Name:
Outreach Policy
Date:
January 2016
Document Owner:
Maternal and Child Health
Version:
1
Approved By:
Leanne Taylor
Page Number: