Maternal and Child Health Service
www.education.vic.gov.au/
ecsmanagement/mch/policy/default.htm
Maternal and Child
Health Service
Maternal and Child Health Service
Program Standards
Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards
Contents
Terms and definitions
3
• Audit of referrals made to Maternal and Child Health Service, including:
1 Introduction
6
1.1 Maternal and Child Health Service: Vision, mission, goals and principles
1.2 Overview of Maternal and Child Health Service
8
– reason for referral
2
10
Example surveys
11
12
The following are a list of example surveys, and content within the surveys, that
may be utilised in order to inform the Maternal and Child Health Service on the
achievement of the criteria within the Program Standards.
Background
2.1 An evidence-based framework
2.2 Structure of the Program Standards
2.3 Purpose and use of the Program Standards
2.4 Assessment against the Program Standards
3 The Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards
– information on organisation/provider making the referral
– quality of information provided within the referral.
• Survey of families, including views and feedback on:
13
Standard 1: Universal access
– Maternal and Child Health Service in general
– access to the Maternal and Child Health Service
– information available on the Maternal and Child Health Service
Standard 2: Optimal health and development
20
Standard 3: Partnerships and collaboration
28
Standard 4: Competent and professional workforce
33
Standard 5: Responsive and accountable service delivery
43
Standard 6: Quality and safety
51
– appropriateness of referral
References
61
– quality of information within the referral
Appendix A: Development of Maternal and Child Health Program Standards
67
– other relevant information to improve referrals from the Maternal
and Child Health Service.
Appendix B: List of evidence
74
– culturally competent service delivery for families
– partnership approach to service delivery.
• Survey of services which Maternal and Child Health Service offers referrals to,
including views and feedback on:
• Environmental survey, including:
– review of accessibility of the Maternal and Child Health Service
by children and families
Published by the Programs and Partnerships Division
Office for Children and Portfolio Coordination
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Melbourne
Published October 2009
ISBN 978-0-7594-0582-0
© State of Victoria 2009
The copyright in this document is owned by the State of Victoria. No part may be reproduced by any process
except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, NEALS (see below) or with permission.
An educational institution situated in Australia which is not conducted for profit, or a body responsible
for administering such an institution, may copy and communicate the materials, other than third-party
materials, for the educational purposes of the institution.
– risk assessment of environment in relation to children and families and the
maternal and child health workforce.
Other suggested evaluations and activities
The following additional evaluations and activities are suggested in order to inform
the Maternal and Child Health Service on the achievement of the criteria within the
Program Standards:
• Evaluation of health promotion activities undertaken by the Maternal and Child
Health Service
• Evaluation of key performance indicators associated with the strategic and
operational plans
• Review of activities to strengthen community capacity.
Authorised by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,
2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.
Also published on http://www.education.vic.gov.au
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Terms and definitions
Within the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards, the following terms and
definitions are used:
Clinical risk management – a method for identifying circumstances within the
Maternal and Child Health Service that place, or potentially place, children and
families at harm or at risk of harm, and addressing these circumstances to prevent
or control the risk.
Clinical supervision – a support mechanism for maternal and child health nurses
within which service delivery, organisational, developmental and emotional
experiences are shared in a secure and confidential environment in order to
enhance skills and knowledge.1
Collaborate/collaboration – to work together, with other members of the Maternal
and Child Health Service, and/or other services and organisations and/or with the
mother and family to achieve unified goals so as to maximise the child’s health,
wellbeing, learning, development and safety.
Community capacity – the community’s ability to identify and mobilise resources to
address the health and wellbeing issues of young children, and associated health
and wellbeing issues of the mother and family.2
Corporate risk management – the system by which the Maternal and Child Health
Service is directed, controlled and held to account, encompassing the processes,
policies and responsibilities in relation to accountability, leadership, and direction
of the Service. These activities support the delivery of the Maternal and Child
Health Service.3
Cultural competence – a set of behaviours, attitudes and policies that come
together to enable the Maternal and Child Health Service to work effectively in
cross-cultural situations, across the spectrum of service delivery from an individual
level, to integrating culture into the delivery of the Service.4
Determinants of health – factors that determine the health status of individuals and
populations. The determinants of health include:
• general background factors, including culture, social cohesion
• environmental factors
• socioeconomic factors
• knowledge and attitudes
• health behaviours
• psychological effects
• safety factors
• biomedical factors
• individual makeup
• individual and population health.5, 6
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Family – the family is identified by their emotional attachment with the child and
their concern for the child’s health, growth and development. This may include the
mother, father, adoptive mother, adoptive father, grandparent, step-parent, foster
parent, siblings, partner or carer. Other family members who may also share a
concern for the child are referred to as ‘the extended family’.
Family-centred practice – the approach to identification and management of the
child, mother and family that focuses on the strengths of each individual family.7
Father – within the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards, refers to the
birth, adoptive father or step father.
Governance – a system through which the Maternal and Child Health Service is
responsible and accountable, and continually improves quality and safety for children
and families accessing the Service. Governance comprises clinical governance;
responsibility for the safe and quality service delivery and corporate governance;
and responsibility for the corporate structures supporting service delivery.8, 9
Health – a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.10
Incident – an event, including an accident, that resulted in, or had the potential to
result in, harm to the child, or family, or a member of the maternal and child health
workforce, including physical or emotional injury, ill-health or other loss.11
Integration – an approach towards providing a service to the child and family
that involves working with other members of the Maternal and Child Health
Service, and/or other services and organisations. The approach is identified by an
interdisciplinary team approach, with the team having a shared vision of service
delivery, and each team member contributing their knowledge and skills towards a
shared plan of service delivery in order to achieve the goals and outcomes for the
childs family.12
Intervention – endeavours to promote good health activity and behaviour, and to
prevent or limit poor health activity or behaviour.
Management and leadership – indicates positions and/or roles that do not interface
with the child and family including the team leader, coordinator, and other positions
and structures that provide a line of accountability and reporting for the Maternal
and Child Health Service. These positions have the responsibility to lead and
organise the Service so as to provide a quality and safe service within the resources
available to it.
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Maternal and child health workforce – the workforce that provides or assists
and supports the provision of the Maternal and Child Health Service and includes
maternal and child health nurses, coordinators, team leaders, clerical and other
maternal and child health workers of disciplines other than nursing involved in the
delivery of the Service and/or management of it.
Maternal and Child Health Service – a universal health service for children
from birth to school age and their families focusing on promotion of health
and development, prevention, early detection of, and intervention for physical,
emotional and social factors affecting young children and their families. Within
the Program Standards, the Service encompasses the maternal and child health
workforce, including management structures supporting the maternal and child
health workforce (for example, local government or the governing authority), and
areas that may support the delivery of the Service (for example, Human Resources).
Monitoring – the processes of screening and assessment undertaken by the
Maternal and Child Health Service.
Mother – within the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards, refers to the
birth mother or adoptive mother. Aspects of the Program Standards have particular
relevance to physiological and psychological aspects of childbirth and therefore
will be relevant only to birth mothers.
Partnership – the relationship the Maternal and Child Health Service has with
the child’s family or another service/organisation involved with the child. The
relationship is characterised by mutual cooperation, collaboration, respect and
responsibility in order to maximise the child’s development and the family’s health,
safety and wellbeing.
Setting – the surrounds in which the Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered.
This may include, but not be limited to, the centre; within a child’s, mother’s or
other family member’s home; over the telephone; as part of other health services
or organisations; within groups; and in local facilities and buildings.
Support – indicates the provision of information, advice, education, counselling and
other relevant activities by the maternal and child health workforce to the family.
Universal access – the capacity of all children and families to have equal
opportunity to access the Maternal and Child Health Service.
Vulnerable child, mother and family – the child and/or mother and family may be
at risk of adverse health and wellbeing outcomes due to individual, parental or
family circumstances.
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1 Introduction
The Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service is an integral component of a
comprehensive system of child and family services in Victoria. The Service provides
a universal health service for children from birth to school age, focusing on
promotion of health and development, prevention, early detection and intervention
for physical, emotional and social factors affecting young children. The Service
consists of the Universal Maternal and Child Health Service, Enhanced Maternal and
Child Health Service and the Maternal and Child Health Line.
While the Service is primarily for the child, it also focuses on the health and
wellbeing of the mother, and the family, in the context of the child’s health and
wellbeing. The Maternal and Child Health Service is provided in partnership
between local government authorities and the Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development (DEECD). The Maternal and Child Health Line is funded and
provided by DEECD.
1.1Maternal and Child Health Service:
Vision, mission, goals and principles
The Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards support the vision,
mission, goals and principles of the Service as stated in the Maternal
and Child Health Service Program Resource Guide.7
1.1.1Vision
All Victorian children and their families will have the opportunity to optimise their
health, development and wellbeing during the period of a child’s life from birth to
school age.
1.1.2 Mission
The mission of the Maternal and Child Health Service is to engage with all families
in Victoria with children from birth to school age; to take into account their
strengths and vulnerabilities; and to provide timely contact and ongoing primary
health care in order to improve their health, development and wellbeing.
1.1.3 Goals
The framework for the provision of the Maternal and Child Health Service is guided
by an overarching goal:
To promote healthy outcomes for children and their families, providing a
comprehensive and focused approach to managing the physical, emotional or social
factors affecting families in contemporary communities.
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Two further objectives support this goal. These are to:
• enhance family capacity to support young children and address physical, emotional,
social and wellbeing issues affecting young children
• enhance community capacity to support young children and their families to
address physical, emotional, social and wellbeing issues affecting young children.
1.1.4 Principles
The guiding principles for the Maternal and Child Health Service, as stated in the
Maternal and Child Health Service Program Resource Guide7 are:
1. Consultation and participation – Consultation with, and participation by,
families is integral to the services. Services will be informed by, and seek to
meet, the needs of young children and their families.
2. Access and availability – All families with young children should be able to
readily access the information, services and resources that are appropriate for,
and useful to, them.
3. Primacy of prevention – Prevention of harm or damage is preferable to
repairing it later. Early detection of risk factors is required, and intervention,
where appropriate.
4. Capacity building – Promotion of resilience and capacity is preferable to
allowing problems to undermine health or autonomy.
5. Equity – All children should be able to grow up actively learning, healthy,
sociable and safe – irrespective of their family circumstances and background.
6. Family-centred – The identification and management of child and family needs
requires a family-centred approach that focuses on strengths.
7. Diversity – The diversity of Victorian families should be recognised and valued.
8. Inclusion – Inclusive practices are essential for all children to get the best start,
irrespective of their family circumstances, differing abilities and background.
9. Partnership – Quality services are achieved through integrated service
delivery and partnerships with other early childhood and specialist services,
and with families.
10.Quality – All families with young children must be confident of the quality of
information, services and resources provided to them.
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11.Evidence and knowledge – Policies, programs and practice are based on the
best evidence and knowledge available.
12.Evolution of services – Programs and services will continue to evolve to meet
needs in a changing environment.
13.Continuously improving and adding value to services – Sustained and
improved services for families and children promote better outcomes for
children and their families.7
1.2Overview of Maternal and Child
Health Service
The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a universal health service through
three service components:
• Universal Maternal and Child Health Service
• Enhanced Maternal and Child Health
• Maternal and Child Health Line.
1.2.1 Universal Maternal and Child Health Service
The Universal Maternal and Child Health Service supports families and their
children in the areas of parenting, development and assessment, promotion of
health and development, wellbeing and safety, social supports, referrals and links
with communities. The Universal Maternal and Child Health Service consists of the
Key Ages and Stages consultations and a flexible service component.
The Key Ages and Stages consultations provide 10 consultations, including an initial
home visit and consultations at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months,
12 months, 18 months, 2 years and 3.5 years.
The flexible service component allows additional needs of the child and family to
be met through a range of activities, including first-time parent groups, additional
consultations, telephone consultations and community strengthening activities.
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1.2.2 Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service
The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service focuses on children, mothers
and families at risk of poor health and wellbeing outcomes, in particular where
multiple risk factors for poor outcomes are present. The Enhanced Maternal and
Child Health Service is provided in addition to the suite of services offered through
the Universal Maternal and Child Health Service. The Enhanced Maternal and Child
Health Service provides a more intensive level of support, including short-term
case management in some circumstances. Support may be provided in a variety of
settings, including the family home, the maternal and child health centre, or other
locations within the community.
1.2.3 Maternal and Child Health Line
The Maternal and Child Health Line is a 24-hour telephone line providing
appropriate information, advice, support, counselling and referral to families with
children from birth to school age. The Line also links families to the Universal
Maternal and Child Health Service and other community, health and support
services required for optimal health and wellbeing of the child, mother and family.
The Line does not provide an emergency service.
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2 Background
2.1An evidence-based framework
The Maternal and Child Health Program Standards provide an evidence-based
framework for the consistent, safe and quality delivery of the Maternal and Child
Health Service. The Program Standards support the provision of clinical and
corporate governance within the Service, and provide a systematic approach to
improving service delivery and safety.
The key elements supported by the Program Standards being:
• accountability
• continuous improvement
• workforce competence
• performance development
• clinical effectiveness
• evidence-based practice
• risk management
• child and family safety
• service delivery
• performance review
• dealing with complaints
• safety of the workforce
• data and information management
• leadership and governance
• community engagement.3
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2.2Structure of the Program Standards
There are six Maternal and Child Health Program Standards. Each Standard has
four components:
1. Statement of rationale – outlines why the Standard has been included.
2. Criteria – each criterion contains a number of elements outlining how the Service
demonstrates compliance with, and performance relevant to, the standard.
3. Performance criteria – strategies, procedures and processes that need to be
in place to meet the criteria.
4. Examples of evidence – examples of how the criteria may be met.
The six standards are not mutually exclusive. Elements of each standard and
the underlying criteria within the standards are closely linked, as demonstrated
in Figure 1.
Standard One
Standard Three
Standard Five
Standard Two
Standard Four
Standard Six
Figure 1: Relationship between the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards.
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2.3Purpose and use of the Program
Standards
The purpose of the Program Standards is to guide and support the Maternal and
Child Health Service in service delivery. The Program Standards are applicable to,
and recommended for use by the maternal and child health workforce and support
structures for service provision, including local government or the governing
authority and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
(DEECD). The evidence for the criteria are examples only, and not mandatory. The
examples provide guidance on appropriate evidence to support attainment of the
criteria. The list of evidence is not exhaustive, and users of the Program Standards
are encouraged to explore other ways of providing evidence to demonstrate
compliance with the Program Standards (in addition to the listed evidence
provided). Examples of good practice, and resources and tools to assist with
implementation of the Program Standards are located in Appendix B.
Note: Due to the operational environment and scope of services provided by
the Maternal and Child Health Line, certain performance criteria or achievement
of performance criteria are not applicable. Where this is the case, an asterisk
(*) has been placed next to the relevant performance criteria or achievement of
performance criteria. When the asterisk (*) appears under a criterion element, all
listed performance criteria are deemed not applicable to the Maternal and Child
Health Line.
2.4Assessment against the Program
Standards
As described , the Program Standards are designed to support and promote
evidence-based practice or best practice within the Maternal and Child Health
Service. The Program Standards have been developed to encourage and support
the Service to maintain and improve service quality, standardise service delivery
and support measurement to provide feedback on service delivery and service
improvement activities. The Service is encouraged to use the Program Standards
to self-assess in order to improve service quality, and to incorporate review of the
Program Standards as part of routine service review.
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3 The Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards
1. The Maternal and Child Health Service provides universal access to its services
for Victorian children from birth to school age and their families.
2. The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and
development outcomes for children from birth to school age through a focus
on the child, mother and family.
3. The Maternal and Child Health Service builds partnerships with families
and communities and collaborates and integrates with other services and
organisations.
4. The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and
professional workforce.
5. The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the
governing authority, provides a responsive and accountable service for the child,
mother and family through effective governance and management.
6. The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a quality and safe service.
Standard 1:
Universal access
The Maternal and Child Health Service
provides universal access to its services
for Victorian children from birth to
school age, their mothers and families.
Rationale
The early years of a child’s life provide a critical opportunity to give a child the best
start in life, in order to achieve optimal health, development and wellbeing. There are
a large number of risk factors associated with these years that have negative impacts
on the child’s health, developmental, learning and social outcomes. Conversely,
there are a large number of protective factors in early childhood that are associated
with prevention of adverse events for the child’s health, developmental, learning and
social wellbeing.13 Evidence suggests that action taken to reduce risk, and to develop
protective factors, provides the foundation for cognitive, coping and emotional skills
that positively affect learning, behaviour and health throughout life.14
Through the delivery of a universal Maternal and Child Health Service for children in
Victoria, the Service plays a unique and integral part in reducing the risk factors and
increasing the protective factors for adverse outcomes for children. In order to do this,
the Service must provide a flexible service that responds to the needs of all young
children and their families. In addition to providing a universal service, the Service
focuses on approaches to include families not engaged by the Service and those with
the greatest burden of morbidity and risk. The Service actively seeks to identify and
respond to children at risk of poor outcomes, and engage all families regardless of
their cultural and linguistic background.15
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Criteria for Standard 1
1. Universal access and participation
2. Responsive service delivery
3. Culturally competent service delivery
1. Universal access and participation
a) All Victorian children and families have access to, and are encouraged to engage
with, the Maternal and Child Health Service from the birth of the child until the
child commences school.
b) Service information supports families accessing the Maternal and Child
Health Service.
2. Responsive service delivery
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service is relevant and responsive to the needs
of the child and family in service delivery and setting.
b) The vulnerable child, mother and family are identified and supported to
engage with appropriate services, including the Enhanced Maternal and
Child Health Service.
c) The Maternal and Child Health Service identifies and responds to the child at
risk of, or experiencing, neglect or abuse.
3. Culturally competent service delivery
The Maternal and Child Health Service provides a culturally competent service to
the child and family, including a service appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities.
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Standard 1 – The Maternal and Child Health Service provides universal access to its services for Victorian children from
birth to school age, their mothers and families
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
1. Universal access and participation
a) All Victorian
children and
families have
access to, and are
encouraged to,
engage with, the
Maternal and Child
Health Service from
the birth of the
child until the child
commences school.
• Maternal and Child Health
Service participation rates
• Victorian children and families have access to:
– the Universal Maternal and Child Health Service,
including the Key Ages and Stages consultations and
the flexible component of the Universal Maternal and
Child Health Service
• survey of families
attending
• processes for contacting
families who do not
engage with the Service
– Maternal and Child Health Line if required
– Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service.
• All Birth Notifications to the Maternal and Child Health Service
are responded to and families are provided with the opportunity
to engage with the Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides a welcoming
environment to families to encourage engagement with
the Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes regular contact
between the Service and the child and family through the
recommended schedule of contact in the Key Ages and Stages
Framework. The recommended schedule of contact is at*:
– following receipt of the Birth Notification (home visit)
– two weeks
– four weeks
– eight weeks
– four months
– eight months
– twelve months
– eighteen months
– two years
– three-and-a-half years.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service acknowledges the right of
the family to choose not to access the Service.
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Standard 1 – The Maternal and Child Health Service provides universal access to its services for Victorian children from
birth to school age, their mothers and families
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)Service information
supports families
accessing the
Maternal and Child
Health Service.
• Information on the Maternal and Child Health Service is
available on the DEECD website.
• information on website
• Information on the Maternal and Child Health Service is
available on the local government website /or the governing
authority website.
• Written information on the Maternal and Child Health Service is
available. The Maternal and Child Health Service has information
available when the Service is telephoned out of hours, which
includes*:
– identification of Maternal and Child Health Service
– hours of operation
– where to access emergency care for the unwell child
– telephone number to access the Maternal and Child
Health Line.
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• website information
available in multiple
languages
• number of website hits
• posters containing
Maternal and Child Health
Service information
• out-of-hours telephone
message contains hours
of operation, access for
emergency care, and the
MCH Line number
• annual report of the
Maternal and Child Health
Line
Standard 1 – The Maternal and Child Health Service provides universal access to its services for Victorian children from
birth to school age, their mothers and families
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
2. Responsive service delivery
a) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service is relevant
and responsive to
the needs of the
child and family in
service delivery and
setting.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has a flexible approach
to meet individual needs of the child and family. This approach
may be through:
• survey of families utilising
service to provide service
feedback
• number of enrolments
from birth notifications
– the Universal Maternal and Child Health Service
– Maternal and Child Health Line, or
• number of families
utilising the service
outside of traditional
working hours
– Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service schedules, supports
and promotes availability of services outside traditional
working hours.
• The hours of operation for each service reflects the needs of its
community and, where appropriate, includes service delivery
outside of traditional working hours or on weekends.
• policies and procedures
that promote services
outside of traditional
working hours
• A range of settings and models for service delivery are offered to
meet the needs of the child and family.* Examples include, but
are not limited to:
– clinic setting via appointment
– ‘drop in’ services
– within the home of the child, the mother or family
– early childhood services
– family support organisations
– play groups
– telephone.*
• Service delivery is outlined in relevant policies and procedures
and in the Program Resource Guide. http://www.eduweb.
vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/earlychildhood/mch/
guideproviderresource.pdf
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Standard 1 – The Maternal and Child Health Service provides universal access to its services for Victorian children from
birth to school age, their mothers and families
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The vulnerable
child, mother and
family are identified
and supported
to engage with
appropriate
services, including
the Enhanced
Maternal and Child
Health Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service schedules and promotes
additional support for the vulnerable child, mother and family
through the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service (see
Standard 1 Criterion 2b).
• number of families
receiving the Enhanced
Maternal and Child Health
Service
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has processes to identify
the vulnerable child, mother and family.
• policy/process of
identification; associated
service delivery/referral;
and engagement of
vulnerable children,
mothers and families
• The Maternal and Child Health Service identifies and removes
barriers for access to services by the vulnerable child, mother
and family.
• Service delivery provides opportunities for engagement with the
vulnerable child, mother and family.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides, or can refer to,
appropriate services to meet the needs of the vulnerable child,
mother and family.
c) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service identifies
and responds to
the child at risk of,
or experiencing,
neglect and abuse.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service identifies the child at risk
of, or experiencing, neglect and abuse and acts on professional
observation and judgement.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service responds to the child
at risk of, or experiencing, abuse and makes notification in
accordance with the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.16
• The maternal and child health workforce is supported in forming
the belief about, and responding to, child neglect and abuse by
policies, procedures and training (see Standard 4 Criterion 1c).
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• record of identifying
barriers to access and
service response
• number of referrals to
Enhanced Maternal and
Child Health Service and
other services
• number of notifications
made to Child Protection
• evidence of knowledge
of staff
• evidence of training
Standard 1 – The Maternal and Child Health Service provides universal access to its services for Victorian children from
birth to school age, their mothers and families
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
3. Culturally competent service delivery
The Maternal and
Child Health Service
provides a culturally
competent service
to the child and
family including a
service appropriate
to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
communities.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service considers the needs of
individual families and recognises cultural diversity within its
service delivery.
• models of culturally
competent services
provided
• The Maternal and Child Health Service recognises Aboriginals
and Torres Strait Islanders as the traditional owners of the land
and provides a service respecting their culture.
• survey/feedback from
families
• The workforce employed at the Maternal and Child Health Service
reflects, where practicable, the cultural diversity of the local
community.
• The maternal and child health workforce is provided with training
in cultural competency, with a focus on training in the cultural
needs of the local community.
• literature and other
information in appropriate
languages
• training undertaken by
maternal and child health
workforce
• The maternal and child health workforce feels confident in its
knowledge and skills to provide the Service to the child, mother
and family from other cultures.
• The maternal and child health workforce utilises its knowledge
and skills to ensure the child, mother and family feel welcome to
access the Service.
• The maternal and child health workforce understands the
individual interpretation of their own culture for each child,
mother and family accessing the Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service ensures access to
interpreters for mothers and families from non-English speaking
backgrounds.
• Materials are developed to provide information in appropriate
languages and for mothers and families who have low literacy
in English and languages other than English.
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Standard 2:
Optimal health and
development
The Maternal and Child Health
Service promotes optimal health and
development outcomes for children
from birth to school age through a focus
on the child, mother and family.
Rationale
The early years of life are critical, and influence learning, health and behaviour
throughout life. Through the use of targeted interventions in the early years, the
Maternal and Child Health Service has the opportunity to influence the health,
wellbeing, learning, development and safety of the child, that in turn will influence
their learning, health and behaviour throughout life.17
The Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children through
targeted service delivery;18 a flexible approach to meet the needs of the child, mother
and family; professional judgement, and the use of validated tools and evidencebased interventions. The Service uses promotion of health and development to reduce
health risks, and to increase the capacity of the mother and family, empowering them
to make decisions in order to improve the health, wellbeing, learning, development
and safety of the child.14, 17, 19
The health and wellbeing of the mother is a key element in influencing the health,
wellbeing, development and safety of the child,20 and is a core component of the
Maternal and Child Health Service. The unique role of the father is also recognised
in the health and development of the child21, 22 and the Service supports the father
in his role. In order to optimise outcomes, support and intervention provided by the
Maternal and Child Health Service acknowledges and recognises the determinants
of health4, 5 for each child, mother and family.
Criteria for Standard 2
1. Health and wellbeing of the child
2. Health and wellbeing of the mother
3. Role of the father
4. Role of the family
5. Service delivery based on evidence
1. Health and wellbeing of the child
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service utilises monitoring, intervention and
promotion of health and development to optimise the child’s health, wellbeing,
learning, development and safety.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service optimises the child’s health, wellbeing,
learning, development and safety by recognising and acknowledging the
determinants of health.
20
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
c) The Maternal and Child Health Service utilises validated tools and assessments
to optimise the child’s health, wellbeing, learning, development and safety.
d) The Maternal and Child Health Service provides the family with information for
the promotion of health and development of the child.
2. Health and wellbeing of the mother
The Maternal and Child Health Service utilises monitoring, support and intervention
to improve the health and wellbeing of the mother.
3. Role of the father
The Maternal and Child Health Service recognises the unique role of the father in
the health and development of the child and supports him in this role.
4. Role of the family
The Maternal and Child Health Service recognises and promotes the role of the
family in the health and development of the child.
5. Service delivery based on evidence
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers evidence-based and/or best
practice monitoring, intervention and promotion of health and development.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes evidence-based service delivery
through the participation in and support of research.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
21
Standard 2 – The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children from
birth to school age through a focus on the child, mother and family.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
1. Health and wellbeing of the child
a) The Maternal and
Child Health Service
utilises monitoring,
intervention and
promotion of health
and development
to optimise the
child’s health,
wellbeing, learning,
development and
safety.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service utilises the Key Ages and
Stages Framework to optimise the child’s health, wellbeing,
learning, development and safety.
• The Key Ages and Stages Framework consists of three
components, monitoring, evidence-based interventions and
promotion of health and development.
• Professional observation and judgment are utilised and the
mother’s and family’s concerns acted upon.
• Monitoring of the child is inclusive of:
• Family health and wellbeing
– physical assessments, including weight, height, head
circumference, hips and gait
– developmental assessment, including eliciting of parental
concerns , regarding the child’s global/cognitive, socialemotional, behavioural, motor and language skills
– hearing risk factors
– vision
– oral health.
• Evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for children:
– smoking cessation
– optimal parental mental health
– free from child exposure to conflict or family violence
– teeth cleaning
– promotion of a healthy weight
– promotion of a healthy BMI.
• Promotion of health and development is targeted at priorities
identified by the Maternal and Child Health Service promotion
of health and development, that may include:
– safe sleeping arrangements – immunisation
– oral health – vision
– nutrition – literacy
– kindergarten enrolment
– child safety and injury prevention
– other health promotion relevant to the community
(see Standard 1 Criterion 2).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service monitors the
immunisation status of the child, and promotes adherence
to the recommended immunisation schedule.24
22
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• evidence of Key Ages
and Stages activities
undertaken
• Key Ages and Stages
consultations targets
are met
• headline indicators23,
including the proportion of
infants exclusively breast
fed at four months of age
• adherence to Maternal
and Child Health Practice
Guidelines
• referrals to other agencies
and services
Standard 2 – The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children from
birth to school age through a focus on the child, mother and family.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal
and Child Health
Service optimises
the child’s health,
wellbeing, learning,
development
and safety by
recognising and
acknowledging the
determinants of
health.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service recognises and
acknowledges the determinants of health to:
• key performance indicators
– count of reasons for
counselling
c) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service utilises
validated tools
and assessments
to optimise the
child’s health,
wellbeing, learning,
development and
safety.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service utilises validated tools
and assessments to monitor the child’s health and wellbeing,
including but not limited to:
– identify factors that may affect the health and wellbeing
of the child
– target service delivery
– provide social support and appropriate referrals in
consultation with the mother and family (see Standard 3
Criterion 2 and Standard 1 Criterion 2).
– Parents’ Evaluation of Development Status (PEDS)
– Brigance (secondary screening)
– physical assessment
– hearing risk factor assessment
– Melbourne Initial Screening Test
– oral health assessment.
• Appropriate referrals to support the child’s growth and
development are made in consultation with the mother and
family (see Standard 3 Criterion 2).
• key performance indicators
– number of PEDS/
Brigance undertaken
• key performance indicators
– count of number
of Melbourne Initial
Screening Tests completed
• maternal and child health
workforce competence in
undertaken assessments
• number of referrals made
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
23
Standard 2 – The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children from
birth to school age through a focus on the child, mother and family.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
d)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
provides the family
with information
for the promotion
of health and
development of the
child.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides information
in accordance with the Key Ages and Stages Framework.
• information available on
relevant topics
• Professional observation and judgment are utilised when
providing the mother and family with information for the
promotion of health and development of the child.
• information available is
culturally appropriate
• Anticipatory guidance may be provided based on the needs
of the child and family and may include information on:
– attachment and parenting
– recognising serious illness in the child
– play activities
– child development and/or behaviour
– toilet training
– sibling rivalry
– nutrition
– literacy.
• Information and support provided to families are:
– based on evidence and/or best practice (see Standard 2
Criterion 3)
– appropriate and tailored to each mother and family to
maximise their understanding
– provided in a culturally appropriate manner (see Standard 1
Criterion 3)
– see Standard 1 Criterion 2).
• Written information and resources prepared by the Maternal and
Child Health Service are:
– clearly identified as a resource of the Maternal and Child
Health Service
– contains links to websites
– reviewed annually by the Maternal and Child Health Service.
• Written information not prepared by the Maternal and Child
Health Service is provided from recognised organisations or
associations that are clearly identified, and are appropriate for,
the child, their mother or family.
• In consultation with the mother and family, the Maternal and
Child Health Service refers the mother and family to appropriate
services if additional support is required
(see Standard 3 Criterion 2).
24
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• number of referrals for the
mother and family
• review of information
annually
• evidence of information
provision within health
records
Standard 2 – The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children from
birth to school age through a focus on the child, mother and family.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
2. Health and wellbeing of the mother
The Maternal
and Child Health
Service utilises
monitoring, support
and information to
improve the health
and wellbeing of the
mother.
• key performance indicators
– breastfeeding rates
• Maternal health and wellbeing are monitored at each
contact with the Maternal and Child Health Service, and
physical and emotional health issues for the mother are
addressed. This may include:
– breastfeeding
• key performance indicators
– count of reasons for
referrals
– incontinence
• audit of referrals
– post-natal depression
• adherence to Maternal
and Child Health Program
Resource Guide
– recovery following childbirth
– adjustment to becoming a mother
• four week maternal
wellbeing check
– family planning
– partnership relationship
• knowledge of groups
within local community
– management of tiredness and fatigue
– other women’s health issues.
• The health and wellbeing of the mother are reviewed in relation
to the child’s health and wellbeing
• provision and support
of groups within local
community
• Professional observation and judgment are utilised when
monitoring and assessing maternal health and wellbeing.
• Appropriate referrals to support the mother’s health and
wellbeing are made in consultation with the mother
(see Standard 3 Criterion 2).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes and supports
groups to bring mothers together for support and to promote
social networks (see Standard 3 Criterion 3).
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
25
Standard 2 – The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children from
birth to school age through a focus on the child, mother and family.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
• The Maternal and Child Health Service recognises the
unique role the father plays in the child’s life and health
and development.
• survey to determine
satisfaction of fathers with
the Service
3. Role of the father
The Maternal and
Child Health Service
recognises the unique
role of the father
in the health and
development of the
child and supports
him in this role.
• The father is provided with appropriate support in his parenting
role by the Maternal and Child Health Service.
• Professional observation and judgment are utilised when
supporting the father in their parenting role and in the provision
of support.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes and supports
groups to bring fathers together for support and to foster social
networks (see Standard 3 Criterion 3).
4. Role of the family
The Maternal and
Child Health Service
recognises and
promotes the role of
the family in the health
and development of
the child.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes the role of
the family in the health and development of the child.
• The health and wellbeing of the family, in the context of its
relationship with the child’s health and wellbeing, is monitored at
each contact made with the Maternal and Child Health Service.
• Appropriate referrals to support the health and wellbeing of the
family are made in consultation with the family (see Standard 3
Criterion 2).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes and supports
groups to bring families together for support and to foster social
networks (see Standard 3 Criterion 3).
26
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• health record audit
• audit of referrals for
the family
• knowledge of groups
within local community
• provision and support
of groups within local
community
Standard 2 – The Maternal and Child Health Service promotes optimal health and development outcomes for children from
birth to school age through a focus on the child, mother and family.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
5. Service delivery based on evidence
a) The Maternal and
Child Health Service
delivers evidencebased and/or best
practice monitoring,
intervention and
promotion of health
and development.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service implements service
delivery in accordance with evidence and recommendations from
relevant research.
• evidence of service
delivery updated in line
with new evidence
• In the absence of evidence and/or recommendations from
research, service delivery is in line with the acknowledged best
practice within Maternal and Child Health.
• adherence to Key Ages
and Stages Framework
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
promotes evidencebased service
delivery, through
the participation
in and support of
research.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service encourages and supports
participation in research to facilitate the development of evidence
for maternal and child health.
• evidence of participation
and contribution to
research
• Research undertaken in part, or in full, within the Maternal
and Child Health Service has received relevant research
approvals, including approval by the DEECD Early Childhood
Research Committee.
• evidence of approval for
research from the Early
Childhood Research
Committee
• The maternal and child health workforce supports the
implementation of best practice service delivery.
• evidence of use of
practice guidelines
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
27
Standard 3:
Partnerships and
collaboration
The Maternal and Child Health Service
builds partnerships with families and
communities and collaborates and
integrates with other services and
organisations.
Rationale
To maximise the child’s health, wellbeing, learning, development and safety,
high levels of family involvement are required. A successful Maternal and Child
Health Service optimises the child’s health, wellbeing, learning, development and
safety, and the wellbeing of the mother and family by adopting a family-centred
approach. This approach involves the Service working in partnership with the child
and family and identifying the strengths of the family. The Service also works with
families to strengthen their capacity, in order to provide the child with a safe and
supportive environment.25
In order to meet the needs of the child the Service collaborates and works in
partnership with early years services, health services, family services, programs,
and organisations. These partnerships support effective linkages and referrals
between the Maternal and Child Health Service and other services, and enable
the provision of cohesive service delivery when more than one service is
involved with the child, mother and family. Working in partnership with other
organisations and services is particularly important when providing a service
for the vulnerable child.17, 26
Criteria for Standard 3
1. Working with the mother and family
2. Working with other services and organisations
3. Working with the community
1. Working with mothers and families
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service provides child-focused, family-centred
practice, working in partnership with the child and family.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service provides child-focused, family-centred
practice to strengthen the capacity of families to make informed decisions about
the child’s development and the family’s health, safety and wellbeing.
28
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
2. Working with other services and organisations
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service facilitates linkages and referrals to
relevant community and professional services in order to meet the identified
needs of the child and family.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service collaborates with relevant services to
promote and support integrated service delivery when the child and family are
accessing other services.*
3. Working with the community
The Maternal and Child Health Service works with its local community to strengthen
community capacity.*
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
29
Standard 3 – The Maternal and Child Health Service builds partnerships with families and communities and collaborates
and integrates with other services and organisations
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
1. Working with the mother and family
• policies and procedures
a) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service provides
child-focused,
family-centred
practice, working
in partnership with
the child and family.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has policies and
procedures outlining the child-focused, family-centred approach
to service delivery.
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
provides childfocused, familycentred practice
to strengthen the
capacity of families
to make decisions
about the child’s
development
and the family’s
health, safety and
wellbeing.
• The maternal and child health workforce works with the mother
and family to increase their confidence and capacity to make
decisions about the child’s growth and development and the
family’s health, safety and wellbeing.
• evidence of use of health
promotion skills and
review of change in
behaviour
• The maternal and child health workforce considers the capacity
of families to make decisions about the child’s development and
the family’s health, safety and wellbeing.
• survey of families
30
• Support and training for the maternal and child health workforce
facilitates working in partnership with the child, mother and
family, in a strength based approach.
• evidence of training for
maternal and child health
workforce
• survey of families
• The child, mother and family are included in identifying the
approach to service delivery for their child.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service uses a range of strategies
to support mothers and families to develop skills and abilities to
make decisions about the child’s growth and development and
the family’s health, safety and wellbeing.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
Standard 3 – The Maternal and Child Health Service builds partnerships with families and communities and collaborates
and integrates with other services and organisations
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
2. Working with other services and organisations
a) The Maternal and
Child Health Service
facilitates linkages.
• community resources
on noticeboards, local
government or the
governing authority
website and other
locations
• The Maternal and Child Health Service identifies relevant
community resources, activities and services in their local
community, and information on these resources is available
for mothers and families.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service identifies relevant
professional resources and services for the child and family
to support their health, safety and wellbeing.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has documented policies
and procedures for referral processes.
• Referrals include at a minimum:
– child’s name, date of birth and contact details
– mother’s and other relevant family names,
• handouts, flyers in
waiting area
• documentation availability
of community resources for
maternal and child health
workforce
• range of referral to
professional resources and
services
– reason for referral
– relevant health information
– any other information relevant for service delivery by the
referred service be typed or written legibly on official paper. *
• survey of services to whom
Maternal and Child Health
Service refers
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
31
Standard 3 – The Maternal and Child Health Service builds partnerships with families and communities and collaborates
and integrates with other services and organisations
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
collaborates with
relevant services
to promote and
support integrated
service delivery
when the child and
family are accessing
other services.*
• The Maternal and Child Health Service collaborates with
early years services, health services and local organisations/
programs to provide integrated service delivery for the child
and family.
• Maternal and Child Health
Service information on
DEECD website and local
government or governing
authority website
• The Maternal and Child Health Service works in collaboration
with other services to coordinate services for children with
health and/or psycho-social vulnerabilities or risk factors.
• audit of referrals from
other services
• The Maternal and Child Health Service uses a multidisciplinary
approach to support collaboration and service coordination.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service acts as an advocate for
the child and family when collaborating and integrating with
other services.
• Information about the Maternal and Child Health Service,
including how to access the service, is provided to local
community and professional services.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service is promoted by DEECD,
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), the local government
or the governing authority and other relevant bodies.
• Referrals from/to maternity services conform with the Continuity
of Care Protocol.* 27, 28
3. Working with the community
The Maternal and
Child Health Service
works with its
local community to
strengthen community
capacity.*
32
• The Maternal and Child Health Service strengthens community
capacity through assisting the establishment of community
programs specific to the health and wellbeing needs of the
local community.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service strengthens community
capacity and assists with the development of community
networks through contributing to established community
and volunteer programs.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• evidence of activities to
strengthen community
capacity
• establishment of liaison
meetings and/or networks
with community planning
staff, and other relevant
departments/groups
Standard 4:
Competent and
professional
workforce
Rationale
The Maternal and Child Health Service
is delivered by a competent and
professional workforce.
New and existing members of the maternal and child health workforce
are supported to learn, develop and strengthen the skills, knowledge and
understanding required to deliver the Maternal and Child Health Service.29
This process is supported by performance review, with the identification of
training and professional development needs.
A competent and professional maternal and child health workforce is essential for
the optimal delivery of the Maternal and Child Health Service. In order to provide a
safe and quality service, the maternal and child health workforce is required to be
suitably qualified, with relevant knowledge and skills to undertake the position.
The Maternal and Child Health Service, through the local government or governing
authority and DEECD, is supported by effective human resource management
and planning. The local government or governing authority complements and
supplements work undertaken by DEECD and other relevant authorities. This
includes the identification of the current and future needs of the workforce and the
Service, implementation of effective strategies to recruit and retain the workforce
and an understanding of the capacity within and requirements of the Maternal and
Child Health Service.30
Criteria for Standard 4
1. Workforce
2. Human resource management and planning
3. Performance development and continuing education
1. Workforce
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service employs a workforce qualified to meet
the objectives of the Maternal and Child Health Service.
b) The maternal and child health nurses maintain the requirements of
their registration.
c) The maternal and child health workforce has knowledge of, and complies with,
their legislative requirements.
d) The maternal and child health workforce has knowledge of, and complies with,
these Standards and the Maternal and Child Health Program Resource Guide for
their relevant Service.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
33
2. Human resource management planning
a) Human resource management supports the delivery of the Maternal and Child
Health Service.
b) The recruitment processes for the Maternal and Child Health Service support a
competent and professional maternal and child health workforce.
c) Human resource planning identifies and responds to the current and future
Maternal and Child Health Service workforce’s needs for the Maternal and Child
Health Service.
3. Performance development and continuing education
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service supports performance development of
the maternal and child health workforce.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service has a learning and development system
to support a competent maternal and child health workforce.
34
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
• The Maternal and Child Health Service employs nurses
who are registered with the Nurses Board of Victoria as
Registered Nurses Division 1, registered midwives holding
an accredited post-graduate qualification in maternal and
child health nursing.
• evidence of current
registration
1. Workforce
a) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service employs a
workforce qualified
to meet the
objectives of the
Maternal and Child
Health Service.
• evidence of qualifications
• Where a workforce (support workforce) is employed to support
and complement the skills of maternal and child health nurses,
they are suitably qualified and experienced to meet the
objectives of the Service.* The support workforce may include:
• position descriptions with
selection criteria and key
performance indicators
for nursing and nonnursing positions
– administration workers
– family support workers
– Aboriginal Health workers
– cultural workers appropriate to local community
(see Standard 1 Criterion 3)
– mental health workers
– psychologists
– drug and alcohol workers
– other workers or health professionals as required.
• The support workforce have relevant qualifications and or
experience to work in the Maternal and Child Health Service and,
where relevant, have professional registration and maintain the
requirements of professional registration.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
35
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The maternal
and child health
nurses maintain
the requirements of
their registration.
• The maternal and child health nurses working within the
Maternal and Child Health Service comply with and/or practise
within the requirements of their registration, including within the
following codes, standards and guidelines:
• evidence of maintenance
of registration, including
professional development
activities
– National competency standards for registered nurses 31
• policies and procedures
– National competency standards for midwives 32
• evidence of facilitation
of professional
development, mentoring,
support, clinical
supervision, peer support
and feedback
– Scope of nursing and midwifery practice 33
– Code of ethics for nurses in Australia 34
– Code of ethics for midwives in Australia 35
– Code of professional conduct for nurses in Australia 36
– Code of professional conduct for midwives in Australia 37
• health record audit
– Delegation and supervision for registered nurses 38
– Guidelines for continuing professional development 39
– Professional boundaries 40
– any guidelines, codes or other relevant documents that may
be updated or implemented as a result of national registration
relating to registered nurses and/or midwives.
c) The maternal
and child health
workforce has
knowledge of, and
complies with,
their legislative
requirements.
• The maternal and child health workforce meets the legislative
requirements of the following Acts and Regulations:
– Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 16
– Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 41
– Health Records Act 2001 42
– Family Violence Protection Act 2008 43.
• The maternal and child health workforce is trained in their
requirements under the:
– Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
– Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
– Health Records Act 2001
– Family Violence Protection Act 2008.
36
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• record of training
undertaken
• record of mandatory
education provided
• policies and procedures
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
d)The maternal
and child health
workforce has
knowledge of, and
complies with,
these Standards
and the Maternal
and Child Health
Program Resource
Guide.
• maternal and child health workforce is aware of, and complies
with, these Standards.
• evidence of compliance
with standards
• The maternal and child health workforce is aware of, and has
the skills and knowledge to comply with, the Maternal and Child
Health Program Resource Guide.7
• evidence of training in
revised Key Ages and
Stages framework
• evidence of compliance
with the Maternal and
Child Health Program
Resource Guide
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
37
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
2. Human resource management and planning
a) Human resource
management
supports the
delivery of the
Maternal and Child
Health Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service, through the local
government or governing authority, has documented human
resource management policies and procedures.
• The human resource management policies and procedures
includes, as a minimum, information on:
– recruitment, selection and appointment processes
– working hours/days
– pay and performance
– leave and illness
– induction, training and education
– workplace relations, including grievance processes
– performance development
– dress code
– management of students, including work experience of
university and other students.
• The Service has policies and procedures for relievers
within the Service.
• The maternal and child health workforce is aware of, and
has access to, the Maternal and Child Health Service human
resource management policies and procedures and the position
description for their position.
• The human resource management policies and procedures are
regularly updated, with input from the maternal and child health
workforce.
• The Service has a confidential and secure personal file for each
maternal and child health worker containing:
– position description
– performance reviews
– performance development and professional education
undertaken
– evidence of qualifications and registration
– other requirements of employment (for example, police check,
driver’s licence and evidence of registration with the Nurses
Board of Victoria).
38
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• policies and procedures
• staff survey
• review of staff turnover
• exit interviews
• local government or
governing authority
strategic plan
• evidence of
confidential file
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The recruitment
processes for
the Maternal
and Child Health
Service support
a competent
and professional
maternal and child
health workforce.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service recruitment processes
are equitable, transparent and in accordance to the legislative
requirements of the following Acts:
• policies and procedures
record of recruitment
processes
• evidence of recruitment
processes
– Equal Opportunity Act 1995 44
– Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 45
• policies and procedures
– Information Privacy Act 2000 46
– Public Administration Act 2004.48
• Recruitment is aligned with Maternal and Child Health Service
strategic plan and human resource plan (see Standard 5
Criterion 1 and Standard 4 Criterion 2c).
• selection criteria for
advertised positions
and within position
descriptions
• Each position undergoing recruitment has identified
selection criteria.
• documentation of
attendance/completion
of induction program
• Recruitment processes ensure checks are made of the
applicant for:
• evidence of regular review
of program
– qualifications and, for maternal and child health nurses
and other health professionals, registration
• evidence of orientation
policies and procedures
– police check
• evaluation of induction
program
– evidence of skills, knowledge and abilities.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has an induction program
to support the maternal and child health workforce covering the
minimum elements of:
– information about the Service
– information on the duties of the position
– human resource management practices
– education and training relevant to the commencement
of the position
– legislative requirements of workforce
– procedures and processes of the Service (see Standard 5
Criterion 2c).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service induction program is
updated regularly to ensure the content is relevant and current.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
39
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
c) Human resource
planning identifies
and responds to
the current and
future maternal and
child health service
workforce’s needs
for the Maternal
and Child Health
Service.
• The local government or governing authority complements and
supplements workforce planning undertaken by DEECD and
other authorities.
• In conjunction with work undertaken by DEECD and other
relevant authorities, human resource planning considers:
– current and future needs of children, mothers and families
– current and future workforce requirements, including the
skills and capabilities currently within the Service and the
skills and capabilities required by the Service
– recruitment and retention strategies for the maternal and
child health workforce
– career opportunities and pathways
– human resource management procedures
– contingency plans for workforce shortages.
• To assist with human resource planning, the local government
or governing authority regularly reviews:
– retention of workforce
– workforce leave accruals
– work–life balance strategies
– organisation performance, including productivity and quality
of service delivery
– staff satisfaction.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
Examples of evidence
• evidence of human
resource plan
• evidence of linkages
between the human
resource plan and the
strategic plan
• workforce analysis
• workforce survey
• exit interviews
• evidence of staff health–
wellness program
• evidence of strategies
to support retention (for
example, scholarships and
mentoring programs)
Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
3. Performance development and continuing education
a) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service supports
performance
development of the
maternal and child
health workforce.
• Each position within the Maternal and Child Health Service has
a position description outlining:
– mandatory/recommended qualifications or professional
registration (see Standard 4 Criterion 1)
– key performance indicators
– skills and knowledge
– values and personal skills
– lines of accountability
– roles and responsibilities.
• The maternal and child health workforce is aware of, and has
access to, their individual position description.
• The maternal and child health workforce (with the exception of
administration workers) is provided with appropriate clinical
supervision, and supported by experienced and relevant workers
and/or mentors.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has a performance review
system that supports each individual staff member to remain
competent and accountable and identifies areas for improvement
and training needs, in conjunction with that staff member.
• Performance review commences within three months of
employment with the Maternal and Child Health Service,
with formal reviews occurring at least yearly.
• The performance review:
– is based on the staff members job description
– includes the active participation of the staff member,
their manager and, if appropriate, clinical supervisor
– identifies strengths in performance
– involves setting goals
– is an ongoing process and provides opportunities for regular
feedback throughout the year
– is documented
– provides opportunities to provide feedback on the Service and
the coordinator
– is assessed and documented.
• The maternal and child health workforce has access to career
opportunities, including opportunities for leadership and
management positions (see Standard 5 Criterion 2a).
• position descriptions
• evidence of access to
position description
• models for clinical
supervision and evidence
of provision of clinical
supervision
• documentation of
performance development
review
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
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Standard 4 – The Maternal and Child Health Service is delivered by a competent and professional workforce
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
supports a learning
and development
system to support a
competent maternal
and child health
workforce (see
Standard 2 Criterion
1 and Standard 2
Criterion 1).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service supports training and
development of its workforce through a range of strategies,
including:
• provision of professional
development
– development of a professional development program
– provision of training and development
– mentoring
– peer review/shadowing and/or
– support to attend external training and development
(see Standard 4 Criterion 2b and Standard 4 Criterion 3a).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has documented policies
and procedures on learning and professional development.
• The policies and procedures include:
– process for applying for attend learning and development
courses outside of Maternal and Child Health Service
– support provided by the Service.
• The maternal and child health workforce is consulted by the
Service regarding its training development requirements.
• The maternal and child health workforce contributes to the
supervision and teaching of nursing and other relevant students.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• evidence of mandatory
training inclusive of
maternal and child health
training
• evidence of professional
development of staff
• policies and procedures
• survey of workforce on
training needs
• annual planning day
Standard 5:
Responsive and
accountable service
delivery
The Maternal and Child Health Service,
supported by local government or
the governing authority, provides a
responsive and accountable service for
children, mothers and families through
effective governance and management.
Rationale
Governance incorporates the systems by which the Maternal and Child Health
Service is managed, and supports responsive and accountable service provision.
Effective leadership and management are required so as to provide a framework for
governance within the Maternal and Child Health Service and the local government or
governing authority. Lines of accountability and management structures support an
accountable and responsive service.3, 49 Effective management ensures the Maternal
and Child Service and its workforce meet legislative requirements, through clear
understanding of these requirements being communicated to the workforce, and
supported through policies and procedures.
The foundation of corporate governance is supported through development of,
and adherence to, strategic and operational plans, underpinned by effective
communication and change management strategies. Governance is assisted by well
constructed and effective policies and procedures, which are current, appropriate,
relevant, and accessible to the maternal and child health workforce. These plans,
strategies and policies should be integrated within the plans, strategies and policies
of the local government or governing authority, rather than stand alone documents
solely for the Maternal and Child Health Service.50
Criteria for Standard 5
1. Leadership and direction
2. Accountability
3. Information systems
1. Leadership and direction
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service has a planned approach to service
delivery and development, fostering the delivery of a safe and quality service.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service, including management and the
workforce, has a shared understanding of the Maternal and Child Health Service
vision and the future service direction and work together to implement the
strategic and operational plans.
2. Accountability
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service (and the local government or governing
authority) has a management structure to support the delivery of a safe and
quality service.
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43
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service complies with, and operates under,
the relevant legislative requirements and by-laws, and in accordance with the
Municipal Association of Victoria/DEECD Memorandum of Understanding.
(The Maternal and Child Health Line is funded by DEECD, and is not subject
to the Memorandum of Understanding.)
c) The Maternal and Child Health Service maintains effective policies and
procedures and other required documents and processes to provide a safe,
quality service and to comply with these Standards.
d) The Maternal and Child Health Service provides clinical and corporate
accountability.
3. Information systems
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service maintains accurate and appropriate
health information for the child and family.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service ensures child, mother and family
information is secure and safe.
c) The Maternal and Child Health Service maintains appropriate information
systems to support data use and accessibility.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
Standard 5 – The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the governing authority, provides
a responsive and accountable service for children, mothers and families through effective governance and management.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
1. Leadership and direction
a) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service has a
planned approach
to service delivery
and development,
fostering the
delivery of a safe
and quality service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by the local
government or governing authority, has a strategic and operational
plan to deliver and develop service delivery and, where applicable,
aligns these plans to the Council Plan, Municipal Early Years Plan,
Municipal Public Health Plan and DEECD Plan.
• The strategic and operational plans contain a minimum of:
• operational plan aligned
with the strategic plan
– key service objectives
– strategies for achievement of objectives
• annual planning day
– performance indicators.
• The implementation of the strategic and operational plans is
supported by change management processes.
• The strategic plan is reviewed and updated at a minimum every
three years.
• The operational plan supports the implementation of the strategic
plan, is updated yearly and accessible by the maternal and child
health workforce.
b)The Maternal
and Child Health
Service, including
management and
the workforce,
have a shared
understanding
of the Maternal
and Child Health
Service vision
and the future
service direction
and work together
to implement
the strategic and
operational plans.
• strategic plan is aligned
with the council plan,
Municipal Early Years
Plan, Municipal Public
Health Plan and DEECD
Plan, as applicable
• The maternal and child health workforce is aware of, and supports,
the Maternal and Child Health Service vision, mission and goals
and its strategic and operational plan.
• The maternal and child health workforce is involved in the
development of the Maternal and Child Health Service strategic and
operational plan.
• evaluation of key
performance indicators
on operational and
strategic plans
• operational plan
available to maternal
and child health
workforce
• annual planning day
• evaluation feedback
• attainment of key
performance indicators
within organisational
and strategic plans
• The maternal and child health workforce together implements the
operational plan and achieve the objectives within the plan.
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
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Standard 5 – The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the governing authority, provides
a responsive and accountable service for children, mothers and families through effective governance and management.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
• The Maternal and Child Health Service management structure has
identified roles within the structure and clear lines of responsibility
associated with the roles.
• organisational structure
2. Accountability
a) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service (and the
local government or
governing authority)
has a management
structure to support
the delivery of a
safe and quality
service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service supports performance
development within its management structure (see Standard 4
Criterion 3).
• The management structure of the Maternal and Child Health
Service supports career opportunities for maternal and child health
nurses (see Standard 4 Criterion 3).
• The management structure and processes associated with this
structure are reviewed regularly.
• Meetings of the Maternal and Child Health Service management,
and meetings involving the maternal and child health workforce,
are goal-orientated and has documented outcomes.
• The management structure supports and advocates for the
Maternal and Child Health Service within the local government or
governing authority.
• Communication strategies are defined, and demonstrate regular
communication and consultation between management and the
maternal and child health workforce.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• outline of role
definitions within the
structure
• performance
development needs
identified and met
for leadership and
management within
Maternal and Child
Health Service
• leadership and
mentoring programs
• evidence of regular
team meetings
and other forms of
communication
• communication policy
Standard 5 – The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the governing authority, provides
a responsive and accountable service for children, mothers and families through effective governance and management.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
complies with, and
operates under, the
relevant legislative
requirements and
by-laws, and in
accordance with
the MAV/DEECD
Memorandum of
Understanding.
(The Maternal and
Child Health Line is
funded by DEECD
and not subject to
the Memorandum of
Understanding.)
• The Maternal and Child Health Service meets the legislative
requirements of the following Acts and Regulations:
• evidence of legislative
requirements within
operational and
strategic plans
– Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 16
– Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 41
• staff training on
legislation
– Family Violence Protection Act 2008 43
– Health Records Act 2001 42
– Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 45
– Equal Opportunity Act 1995 44
– Health Act 1958 51 and various Regulations made under that Act,
including the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations
– Freedom of Information Act 1982 47
– Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 49
– Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 52
– Local Government Act 1989 54.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service is compliant with the
by-laws of its local government or governing authority.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service operates in accordance with
the MAV/DEECD Memorandum of Understanding and the relevant
Maternal and Child Health Program Resource Guide.*
• For the Maternal and Child Health Line only, the Line complies with
the Program Resource Guide and other requirements determined
by DEECD.
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Standard 5 – The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the governing authority, provides
a responsive and accountable service for children, mothers and families through effective governance and management.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
c) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service maintains
effective policies
and procedures
and other required
documents and
processes to
provide a safe,
quality service and
to comply with
these Standards.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by the local
government or governing authority, has policies and procedures
to support safe and quality service delivery, including delivery
of service and a process for regular review of the policies and
procedures (see Standard 6 Criterion 3).
• organisational plans
d)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
supports clinical
and corporate
accountability.
• The management structure of the Maternal and Child Health
Service work in partnership with the maternal and child health
workforce to ensure the delivery of a safe and quality service.
48
• Changes to practice, service and evidence are reflected in the
policies and procedures.
• performance
development reviews
• policies and procedures
in place, which are
regularly reviewed
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has a system for monitoring
compliance with its policies and procedures.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by the local
government or governing authority, has systems and processes to
support implementation and ongoing review of Maternal and Child
Health Program Standards.
• Lines of responsibility for clinical aspects of the Maternal and Child
Health Service are communicated to the maternal and child health
workforce and support the partnership between management
and the maternal and child health workforce in the delivery of the
Maternal and Child Health Service (see Standard 4 Criterion 3).
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• evidence of
communication of lines
of responsibility
Standard 5 – The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the governing authority, provides
a responsive and accountable service for children, mothers and families through effective governance and management.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
• The Maternal and Child Health Service maintains accurate health
information for the child and family information in accordance with
the Health Records Act 2001.42
• record maintained for
each child in accordance
with policies and
procedures
3. Information systems
a) The Maternal and
Child Health Service
maintains accurate
and appropriate
health information
for the child,
mother and family.
• The minimum information to be included within the health record is:
– the identity of the maternal and child health worker who made
the record and had contact with the child and family
• health record audit
– information on assessment, information provided, referrals and
recommendations made and other aspects of the consultation
– be legible and dated.
• On becoming aware of a child moving into its service catchment,
the Maternal and Child Health Service with the mother’s or family’s
consent makes contact with the previous Service for transfer of
health record in a timely manner.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has policies and procedures
regarding health information in accordance with the Local
Government Records Act 1998, Health Records Act 2001 and
Information Privacy Act (2000)
– management of health information
– information privacy
– security of health information
– how the child and family can access their health information
– documentation requirements
– confidentiality and privacy
– transfer of information when the child moves between Maternal
and Child Health Services
– destruction of health records.
• In the event of an emergency, management of health information
is outlined in the emergency management plan (see Standard 6
Criterion 3).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service encourages mothers and
families to bring the Child Health Record when accessing the
Maternal and Child Health Service, and when accessing other
health services.*
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49
Standard 5 – The Maternal and Child Health Service, supported by local government or the governing authority, provides
a responsive and accountable service for children, mothers and families through effective governance and management.
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
ensures child and
family information
is secure and safe.
• Health information is secure and accessible only by relevant and
authorised workers.
• electronic records are
password controlled
• Health information is maintained safely and securely:
• paper records are
locked and in a fireretardant storage facility
– until the child is 25 years of age
– for seven years following the last contact with the Maternal and
Child Health Service.
Please see Standard 4 Criterion 2 for details on maintaining
workforce information in a secure and safe manner.
c) The Maternal
and Child Health
Service maintains
appropriate
information
systems to support
data use and
accessibility.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides access to
information systems, which is timely and appropriate.
• accessibility of
computers and printers
• Information technology systems are appropriate for the collation of
data, and health information.
• evidence of training
• Training and development in the use of information technology is
available to the maternal and child workforce, and ongoing support
is provided.
• For information technology systems, the Maternal and Child Health
Service must ensure:
– secure access
– there is backup of the information
– internet connected computers have a hardware/software
firewalls
– data integrity
– antivirus software is installed.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• evidence of information
technology support
system
• compliant with:
– backup of
information
– hardware/software
firewalls
– data integrity
– antivirus software.
Standard 6:
Quality and safety
The Maternal and Child Health Service
delivers a quality and safe service.
Rationale
Quality improvement is the method through which the effectiveness of activities
within the Maternal and Child Health Service are reviewed, and changes identified
in order to improve service delivery. The process for identification of areas for
improvement, implementation of strategies to support improvement and review
of these strategies is supported through a quality improvement framework.
The framework assists in identification of the process or activity to be improved,
understanding of the issues behind the process or activity to be improved,
implementation of an improvement strategy, evaluation of the strategy and
sustaining the strategy.25 The framework supports the delivery of a quality and
safe service.
The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe service for the child and family
by ensuring the environment in which services are provided supports the health,
safety and wellbeing of the workforce providing the Service and for each child,
mother and family accessing it. The environment is also accessible by each child,
mother and family wishing to engage with the Service. This is provided through
occupational health and safety compliance, emergency management, infection
control, and the provision of suitable equipment and environments for the Service.
Criteria for Standard 6
1. Improving performance
2. Safe and accessible environment for the child and family
3. Safe practice and environment for the maternal and child health workforce
4. Provision of support for service delivery
1. Improving performance
a) Quality processes within the Maternal and Child Health Service support
improvement in health and wellbeing outcomes for the child and family and in
delivery of the service.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service has a clinical risk management system to
maintain and enhance the safety and quality of the service provided to the child
and family.
c) The child and family accessing the Maternal and Child Health Service have
opportunities to express their views on the service.
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51
2. Safe and accessible environment for the child, mother and family
a) The environment of the Maternal and Child Health Service is safe
and accessible for the child and family.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service supports safe practice and a safe
environment for the child and family accessing the service, and its workforce,
through effective infection control guidelines.*
3. Safe practice and environment for the maternal and child health workforce
a) The Maternal and Child Health Service provides a safe environment for its
workforce through management of, compliance with, and occupational health
and safety legislative requirements.
b) The Maternal and Child Health Service provides a safe environment for its
workforce through emergency management.
c) The maternal and child health workforce upholds its duty of care to ensure its
work is delivered in a manner that is not harmful to the health and safety of
themselves or others.
4. Provision of support for service delivery
The Maternal and Child Health Service supports quality service delivery through
appropriate and maintained equipment and environments.
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Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
1. Improving performance
a) Quality processes
within the Maternal
and Child Health
Service support
improvement in
outcomes for the
child and family.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service is supported by a quality
improvement framework, which is continuous and supports
improvement in the service delivery to, and outcomes for, the
child and family.
• The quality improvement framework aligns with local government
‘best value’ processes.
• The quality improvement framework supports the DEECD Service
Improvement Plan.
• quality improvement
framework
• quality improvement
activities, including
outcomes
• incident reports
• data monitoring
• The quality improvement framework monitors, manages and
improves safety, effectiveness, appropriateness, acceptability,
access and efficiency of the Maternal and Child Health Service.
• Activities conducted within the quality improvement framework
are documented and have an appropriate documented review
process.
• The quality improvement framework is applied across the six
Maternal and Child Health Standards.
• Maternal and child health workforce contributes to, and
participates in, the quality improvement framework.
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Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal and
Child Health Service
has a clinical risk
management
system to maintain
and enhance the
quality and safety
of service provided
to the child and
family.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service operates through a clinical
risk management system that identifies, monitors
and reviews clinical risks.
• clinical risk management
system
• The clinical risk management system covers potential or actual
incidents that may occur within the Maternal and Child Health
Service, or which place the child or family at risk in their own
environment.
• The elements of the clinical risk management system covers:
– identification of risk
– processes for notification of a ‘near miss’ or incident internally
and, where appropriate, externally
– assessment and review of the risk and contributing factors
to the risk
– processes for improvement in service delivery as a result
of the identification of the risk.
• The clinical risk management system is incorporated into
the Maternal and Child Health Service quality improvement
framework.
• The clinical risk management system is incorporated into the local
government or governing authority’s risk management system.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• review process for clinical
risk management system
• child protection protocol
Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
c) The child, mother
and family
accessing the
Maternal and Child
Health Service have
opportunities to
express their views
on the service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has policies and procedures
to allow the child, mother and family to provide feedback
regarding the service, which are aligned with Australian Council
for Safety and Quality in Healthcare Better Practice Guidelines on
complaints management for health services.55, 56
• policies and procedures
for complaints
management
• Policies and procedures include a minimum of:
– processes for the child and family to provide feedback
– processes for Maternal and Child Health Service to assess and
respond to feedback, and resolve issues
– escalation process, should the issue not be able to be resolved
at a local level.
• information on feedback
process clearly identified
to families
• information available
on the local government
or governing authority
website
• survey of families
• feedback from children
• The procedure is written in a style and language that is
appropriate for the mother and family accessing the Service.
• The feedback process is communicated and accessible to the
mother and family utilising the Service.
• The feedback provided by the child and family is incorporated
into the Maternal and Child Health Service quality improvement
framework.
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Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
2. Safe and accessible environment for the child, mother and family
a)The environment
of the Maternal
and Child Health
Service is safe and
accessible for the
child and family.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides an environment
which is:
– compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 52,
53
and Regulations 2007
– managed in accordance to relevant Australian Standards,
Victorian legislation, and codes of practice.
• The physical environment of the Maternal and Child Health
Service is easily located by the family and has:
– external signage to allow for easy identification
– disability access and facilities in accordance with
Commonwealth and Victorian legislation and Australian
Standards
– an appropriate waiting area
– appropriate area(s) for consultation.
• The physical environment of the Maternal and Child Health Service
for group and other activities within the community are:*
– easily located by the family
– clearly identifiable by the family
– appropriate for the activities to be undertaken by the Service.
Please see Standard 4 Criterion 1c for requirements of maternal
and child health workforce to ensure safety for the child and family
accessing the Maternal and Child Health Service.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• environment survey
• evidence of updated
signage and easily
identifiable maternal
and child health centre
• maternal and child health
centre identified in
Melways and on google
maps
• access for children and
families with a disability
Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal
and Child Health
Service supports
safe practice and a
safe environment
for the child and
family accessing
the service, and
its workforce,
through an effective
infection control
system.*
• The Service has documented infection control procedures,
aligned with the Commonwealth Government Department of
Health and Ageing Infection control guidelines for the prevention
of transmission of infectious diseases in the health setting.57
• policies and procedures
• Within the infection control procedures, the minimum content is:
– hand hygiene
– changeover procedures between visits *
• number of staff
immunised
• Department of Health and
Department of Human
Services alerts distributed
to health and family
support workforce
– management of blood or body fluid spills
– management of blood or body fluid exposure
– personal protective equipment *
– management of wastes.*
• The infection control procedures are relevant for each Maternal
and Child Health Service setting.
• The infection control procedures are accessible by the maternal
and child health workforce in each Maternal and Child Health
Service setting.
• The Service provides:
– personal protective equipment for its workforce
– resources for hand hygiene
– other resources as required that are compliant with
Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing
Infection control guidelines for the prevention of transmission
of infectious diseases in the health setting.
• The maternal and child health workforce has its recommended
immunisation for Hepatitis B, Influenza, Pertussis, Measles,
Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (Chickenpox) if seronegative.24
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Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
3. Safe practice and environment for the maternal and child health workforce
a) The Maternal and
Child Health Service
provides a safe
environment for its
workforce through
management of,
and compliance
with, occupational
health and
safety legislative
requirements.
Please note:
Environment includes
vehicles used within
the Maternal and Child
Health Service.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides an environment
that is:
– compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 52, 53
and Regulations 2007
– managed in line with relevant Australian Standards, Victorian
legislation, and codes of practice.
• The Service has policies and procedures governing occupational
health and safety, compliant with the Occupational Health and
Safety Act 2004 and Regulations 2007.
• The Service has policies and procedures governing occupational
health and safety, compliant with the Occupational Health and
Safety Act 2004 and Regulations 2007.
• Within the policies and procedures, the minimum level of content
is:
– management and reporting of incidents, including potential
incidents, in relation to occupational health and safety
– risk assessment of the environment
– working environments, including centre areas, waiting areas
and office areas
– violence and aggression towards the maternal and child health
workforce
– manual handling
– service delivery for the family who may provide a safety risk for
the maternal and child health workforce
– home visiting
– working alone in the maternal and child health centre.
• The policies and procedures are relevant for each setting
within the Maternal and Child Health Service (see Standard 1
Criterion 2a).
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides equipment
required by the maternal and child health workforce to comply
with the policies and procedures governing occupational health
and safety.
• The occupational health and safety procedures are accessible by
the maternal and child health workforce.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides regular training
for its workforce in all aspects of occupational health and safety.
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• policies and procedures
evident
• environment survey
• Occupational Health and
Safety incident reporting
system
• training of maternal and
child health workforce in
Occupational Health and
Safety requirements of
the Service
• occupational health and
safety representative
• other evidence
of providing safe
environment, for example
advanced driver training
• occupational health and
safety meetings, and/or
occupational health and
safety as standing agenda
item for staff meetings
Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
b)The Maternal
and Child Health
Service provides a
safe environment
for its workforce
through emergency
management.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service has a documented
emergency management plan covering a minimum of:
• emergency management
plan
– general emergency within a maternal and child health centre
• evacuation plan
– fire within the maternal and child health centre
• training of maternal and
child health workforce in
Emergency Management
(for example, fire drill)
– medical emergency within the facility and, if applicable, within
the child’s home
– pandemics within the general community
– bushfire (for Maternal and Child Health Services in settings
at risk of bushfire)*
• availability/location of
Emergency Management
plan
– escalation plan for staff safety issues for sole practitioners.
• review of issues reported
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides equipment to the
maternal and child health workforce to enable the execution of
the emergency management plan.
• The emergency management plan is accessible by the maternal
and child health workforce.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides regular training
for its workforce in the emergency management plan.
c) The maternal
and child health
workforce upholds
its duty of care to
ensure its work
is delivered in a
manner that is
not harmful to the
health and safety
of themselves or
others.
• Maternal and child health workforce reads and understands the
policies and procedures relating to safe practice and environment.
• Maternal and child health workforce understand their rights and
responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
2004 and Regulations 2007.52, 53
• Maternal and child health workforce implements a range of
practices that ensure safe practice within the Maternal and Child
Health Service environment.
• evidence of knowledge
of safe practice and
environment policies and
procedures
• policies and procedures
accessible by staff
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Standard 6 – The Maternal and Child Health Service delivers a safe and quality service
Criteria element
Performance criteria
Examples of evidence
4. Provision of support for service delivery
The Maternal and
Child Health Service
supports quality
service delivery
through appropriate
and maintained
equipment and
environments.
• The Maternal and Child Health Service provides appropriate
equipment to provide a safe and quality service.
• hazard management
policy and procedures
• The Maternal and Child Health Service maintains equipment in
accordance with manufacturer and other relevant guidelines.
• evidence of regular
reviews and safety audits
of equipment, including
electrical equipment
• The maternal and child health centres and venues used
for group consultations meet local building standards and
recommendations in relation to space and accessibility.
• The maternal and child health centres meet local building
standards and recommendations, including:
– Australian Standard 3590.2–1990 Screen-based workstations –
Workstation furniture
– Australian Standard 1668.2–2002: The use of ventilation and
air-conditioning in buildings – Ventilation design for indoor air
contaminant control
– Australian Standard 1680.1–1990: Interior lighting – General
principles and recommendations.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• weights and measures
standard within local
government policy
• evidence of compliance
with Standards
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25.Department of Education and Early Childhood (2008), Blueprint for Education
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29.Maternal and Child Health Special Interest Group (1999), Standards of professional
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30.Armstrong F (2005), ‘Magnet hospitals – What’s the attraction?’, Australian
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35.Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008), Code of ethics for midwives
in Australia,
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Codes%20Project/New%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20fo%20rMidwives%20
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lenceprotectionact2008.aspx, accessed September 2009.
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Better%20Practice%20Guidelines%20July2004.pdf, accessed September 2009.
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57.Department of Health and Ageing (2004), Infection control guidelines for the
prevention of transmission of infectious diseases in the health care setting,
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outcomes/default.htm, accessed September 2009.
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66
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
Appendix A: Development of
Maternal and Child Health
Program Standards
Introduction
Program Standards for the Maternal
and Child Health Service were initially
developed in 1995. These Standards
consisted of twelve standards and were
developed to provide a Maternal and
Child Health Service with a customer
focus, consistent service delivery,
quality service provision, and to
support evaluation of the Service.
KPMG were engaged by DEECD in March 2009 to review and contemporise the
Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards. Activities undertaken to
review and contemporise the Program Standards included a review of the previous
Program Standard, review of relevant policy documents, literature on Maternal and
Child Health and Program Standards, and extensive consultation throughout the
Maternal and Child Health Service and other key stakeholders. The activities were
overseen by a Project Reference Group appointed by DEECD.
The process for development of the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards is
outlined in Figure 2.
Stage 1
Project initiation
Stage 2
Desktop review and
preliminary consultation
Stage 3
Statewide consultation
Stage 4
Refine draft of Standards
Project plan
Draft standards
Final Program
Standards
Figure 2: Development of the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards
(March–October 2009)
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Project Reference
Group
A Project Reference Group was
established to support the
development of the Standards.
Members of the reference group
are presented in the following
table.
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Name
Title
Organisation
Anne Colahan
Manager Maternal and
Child Health Service
DEECD
Kerry Connolly
Maternal and child health
nurse
Victorian Association of
maternal and child health
nurses
Cheryl Cripps
Maternal and child health
nurse
City of Frankston
Nicki Doyle
Senior Manager
KPMG
Irene Ellis
Lecture Child Family and
Community Nursing
RMIT University
Marcia Gleeson
Professional Officer
Australian Nursing
Federation (ANF)
Sharon Goldfeld
Senior Medical Advisor
DEECD
Fred Halliday
Associate Director
KPMG
Ann Hindell
Director of Nursing
Tweddle Child + Family
Health Service
Megan
Leuenberger
Research Officer
DEECD
Geoff Loftus
Manager, Family Services
Monash City Council
Karen Mainwaring
Acting Manager
MCH Line
Alison Nuske
Senior Program Policy Advisor
DEECD
Sarah Pitney
Enhanced Maternal and Child
Health Nurse
Port Phillip City Council
Jenny Proimos
Senior Medical Advisor
DEECD
Anthony Raitman
Assistant General Manager
DEECD
Lael Ridgway
Lecture Child Family and
Community Nursing
La Trobe University
Helen Rowe
Advisor
Municipal Association of
Victoria (MAV)
Frances Sheean
Regional Lecturer
La Trobe University
Anita Siassos
Program and Service Advisor
Northern Region
Edward Swan
Senior Manager
KPMG
Helen Watson
President
MCH Coordinators’ Group
Consultations to inform development of
Program Standards
During the development of the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards,
KPMG undertook three phases of consultation. The three phases were preliminary
consultations with identified stakeholders, statewide consultations, and consultations
with key stakeholders, including mothers who have accessed the Service.
Preliminary consultations with stakeholders identified by the DEECD occurred in
April 2009. The stakeholders consulted were:
• Dr Sharon Goldfeld (Senior Medical Advisor Child and Adolescent Health)
and Joyce Cleary (Manager, Statewide Outcomes), DEECD
• Maternal and Child Health Team, DEECD
• Marcia Gleeson (Professional Officer), Australian Nursing Federation
• Lael Ridgway (Lecturer), La Trobe University
• Clare Hargreaves (Senior Policy Manager) and Helen Rowe (Maternal and Child
Health Policy Advisor) Municipal Association of Victoria
• Ann Hindell (Director of Nursing), Tweddle, and involved in the development of
previous Program Standards).
Consultations with the maternal and child health workforce, and managers of the
Maternal and Child Health Service were undertaken in June and August 2009; and
consultations with mothers who have accessed the Maternal and Child Health
Service were undertaken in July 2009. The following consultations occurred:
• Northern Metropolitan Region
• Southern Metropolitan Region
• Eastern Metropolitan Region
• Western Metropolitan Region
• Gippsland Region
• Grampians Region
• Loddon Mallee Region
• Barwon South West Region
• Hume Region
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• Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service
• Maternal and Child Health Line
• Key Ages and Stages Pilot Sites at Yarra Ranges, Wyndham, Wodonga and Bayside
• consultations with mothers who have accessed the Maternal and Child
Health Service.
Documents of relevance to the Program
Standards
The following documents are of relevance to, and used as a resource for the
development of the Maternal and Child Health Program Standards:
Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development 25
In 2008, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development released
the Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development, which sets out the
Government’s five year agenda for learning and development from birth to adulthood.
The Blueprint outlines a comprehensive approach to outcomes for children and young
people from birth to adulthood. It identified four priorities:
1. Increase access to high-quality early childhood health,
education and care services
2. Strengthen public confidence in the education system
3. Integrate services for children and families
4. Improve outcomes for disadvantaged young Victorians.
Victoria’s Plan to Improve Outcomes in Early Childhood15
The DEECD released Victoria’s plan to improve outcomes in early childhood, as one
of Victoria’s proposals to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) under the
National Reform Agenda. Victoria’s plan to improve outcomes in early childhood
is an integrated reform package that will drive sustained improvements in early
childhood outcomes. The plan identified four key policy directions:
• improving antenatal care
• strengthening the health, development and learning of 0–5 year-olds
• enhancing provision of early childhood education and care services
• improving the early years workforce.
A series of actions have been designed in response to each of these four policy
directions to develop an integrated, high-quality and accessible early childhood
service system.
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Key Ages and Stages Framework18
The Key Ages and Stages Framework sets out evidence-based activities for the
10 Key Ages and Stages consultations provided by the Universal Maternal and
Child Health Service. The framework includes:
• an emphasis promotion of health and development across a range of domains
• Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) as a primary tool to engage
parents in discussion about the development of their child
• Brigance screen as a secondary screen where concerns are identified through
the PEDS
• relevant health information handouts for each Key Ages and Stages consultations
• interventions that include a safe sleeping checklist, Quit smoking intervention,
screening for maternal health and well-being and the presence of family violence.
Victorian Children’s Outcomes Framework58
Has been developed to provide a common basis for setting objectives and planning
across the whole of government. The outcomes framework sets out 35 aspects of
child health and wellbeing, learning and development, and safety that are essential
to all children. This framework also recognises that children do not achieve positive
outcomes in these areas without the support of confident, capable parents,
a strong community and a society which provides the services they need. For this
reason, the outcomes framework relates to both the individual child and their social
and family context. For this reason, the outcomes framework relates to both the
individual child and their social and family context.
National Public Health Strategic Framework for Children 2005–200814
The National Public Health Partnership (NPHP) is a subcommittee of the Australian
Health Ministers’ Advisory Council that provides an opportunity to coordinate public
health activity around Australia. It also ensures a continuing emphasis on public
health priorities and the promotion of public health agendas. One of the public
health priorities of the NPHP is child health, which is being addressed through the
National Public Health Strategic Framework for Children.
The National Public Health Strategic Framework for Children is based on health
promotion and early intervention approaches. It aims to strengthen the capacity
of the health sector and the wider community to respond to a range of public
health issues identified in national strategies for children aged 0 –12 years,
including maternal health and wellbeing during the antenatal period.
The Framework provides a framework for emerging health issues and focuses on
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strengthening the capacity of systems to support communities, families, parents
and professionals to support the health of children. The role of health services in
the care of children is also a key focus of the framework.
National Headline Indicators for Children’s Health, Development and
Wellbeing Report23
In 2005, Australian Health Ministers’ Conference and the Community and Disability
Services Ministers’ Conference approved the development of a set of national,
jurisdictionally agreed Headline Indicators. Headline Indicators are a mechanism
to assist policy and planning by measuring progress on a set of indicators that are
potentially amenable to change over time by prevention or early intervention. They
are designed to allow comparison of state and territory data, and data from subpopulations of children, including:
• children with a disability
• children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• children living in disadvantage
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion59
Developed at the first International Conference on Health Promotion held in Ottawa,
Canada in 1986, the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion identifies the prerequisites
for health, methods to achieve health promotion through advocacy, enabling and
mediation, and five key action areas for health promotion. These areas are:
• building healthy public policy by placing health on the agenda of policy makers
at all levels, including legislative, economic, taxation and organisational change
• creating supportive environments through the provision of living and working
conditions that are safe, stimulating, satisfying, enjoyable and that provide a
positive benefit to health
• strengthening community action by empowering communities to exert ownership,
control and action over their own endeavours and destinies
• developing personal skills through the provision of information and education
related to health and life skills
• reorientating health services to focus on prevention instead of solely treatment
and cure.
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Jakarta Declaration on Leading Health Promotion into the 21st Century60
In 1997, the 4th International Conference on Health Promotion was held in Jakarta.
This conference identified new directions for health promotion in the 21st century.
The direction encompasses:
• promotion of social responsibility for health
• increasing investments for health development
• consolidation and expansion of partnerships for health
• increasing community capacity and empowering the individual
• securing an infrastructure for health promotion.
Standards of Professional Practice for maternal and child health nurses29
The Standards of Professional Practice for maternal and child health nurses were
developed by the Maternal and Child Health nurses Special Interest Group. Eight
standards of professional practice have been identified for maternal and child
health nurses. These standards are covering:
• professional role
• child health
• maternal health
• family health
• communication
• primary health care
• health promotion and health education
• nursing research.
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Appendix B: List of evidence
A summary of the key performance criteria and examples of evidence within the
Program Standards is listed below. The examples of evidence for each criteria
are examples only, and not mandatory. They do, however, provide guidance on
appropriate evidence to support attainment of the criteria.
Summary of required policies
The following policies and details within the policies are identified within the
Program Standards as required in order to meet the criteria within the Program
Standards. The policies may be standalone policies designed specifically for
the Maternal and Child Health Service, or may be part of policies developed and
applicable to services other than the Maternal and Child Health Service within
the local government or governing authority, or the local government or governing
authority as an organisation-wide policy.
• Service delivery, including:
– service delivery for children and families
– family partnership approach to service delivery.
• Feedback on service delivery, including:
– processes for families to provide feedback
– responsiveness of the Maternal and Child Health Service to feedback
– process for Maternal and Child Health Service to assess and respond to feedback
and resolve issues
– escalation process should the issue not be able to be resolved at a local level.
• Occupational Health and Safety, including:
– risk assessment of the environment
– working environments, including centre areas, waiting areas and office areas
– vehicle safety,
– violence and aggression towards the maternal and child health workforce
– manual handling
– service delivery for mothers and families who may place the safety of the
maternal and child health workforce at risk
– home visiting
– working alone in the clinic setting.
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Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
• Emergency Management Plan, including:
– general emergency within the maternal and child health centre
– fire within the maternal and child health centre
– medical emergency within the centre and, if applicable, within a child’s home
– pandemics within the general community
– bushfire (for Maternal and Child Health Service in settings at risk
of bushfire)*
– escalation plan for staff safety issues for sole practitioners.
• Infection control, including:
– hand hygiene
– personal protective equipment
– handling and disposal of ‘sharps’
– management of wastes
– changeover procedures between visits
– management of blood or body fluid spills
– management of blood or body fluid exposure.
• Human resource management policies:
– information about the Maternal and Child Health Service
– information on the duties of the position
– human resource management practices
– education and training relevant to the commencement of the position
– legislative requirements of workforce
– procedures and processes of the Maternal and Child Health Service.
• Performance development, including:
– process for applying to attend learning and development courses
– support provided by the Maternal and Child Health Service to attend courses.
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Summary of processes, systems and plans
The processes, systems and plans may be designed specifically for the Maternal
and Child Health Service or may be part of processes, systems and plans developed
and applicable to services other than the Maternal and Child Health Service within
the local government or governing authority, or the local council or governing
authority as organisational processes, systems and plans.
The following processes, systems and plans are identified within the Program
Standards as required in order to meet the Program Standards criteria:
• identification, engagement and referrals to associated services for vulnerable
children and families
• strategic plan
• operational plan
• organisational structure
• communication strategy between the maternal and child health management and
the health and family support workforce
• process for regular review of all policies, processes and procedures
• clinical risk management system covering:
– identification of risk
– processes for notification of a ‘near miss’ or incident, internally and, where
appropriate, externally
– assessment and review of the risk and contributing factors to the risk
– processes for improvement in service delivery as a result of the identification
of the risk.
• occupational health and safety incident reporting system
• personal file for each maternal and child health worker, containing:
– information about the Maternal and Child Health Service
– information on the duties of the position
– human resource management practices
– education and training relevant to the commencement of the position
– legislative requirements of workforce
– procedures and processes of the Maternal and Child Health Service.
• human resource plan, including:
– current and future workforce requirements, including the skills and capabilities
currently within the Service and the skills and capabilities required by the Service
– recruitment and retention strategies for maternal and child health workforce
– career pathways
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– human resource management procedures
– contingency plans for workforce shortages.
• review of human resources management and planning, including:
– retention of workforce
– workforce leave accruals
– work–life balance strategies
– organisation performance, including productivity and quality of service delivery
– staff satisfaction.
• position descriptions for each maternal and child health position, including:
– mandatory/recommended qualifications or professional registration
– key performance indicators
– skills and knowledge
– values and personal skills
– lines of accountability
– roles and responsibilities.
• performance development review system, which:
– is based on the staff member’s job description
– includes the active participation of the staff member, their manager and,
if appropriate, clinical supervisor
– identifies strengths in performance
– involves setting goals
– is an ongoing process and provides opportunities for regular feedback throughout
the year
– is documented
– provides opportunities to provide feedback on the Service and the coordinator
– is assessed and documented.
Examples of data collection
The following data list is an example of data that may be collected and reviewed to
inform the Maternal and Child Health Service on achievement of the criteria of the
Program Standards:
• Maternal and child health attendance rate
• number of outreach services provided for non-attendees of the Maternal and Child
Health Service
• number of referrals to the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service
and other services
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• utilisation of service, when services are provided outside of traditional working
hours or on weekends
• participation rates for children, mothers and families
• Key Ages and Stages targets versus actual visits
• Headline Indicators, including:
– mortality rate for infants less than one year of age
– proportion of children on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Registrar who
are fully immunised at two years of age
– proportion of infants exclusively breastfed at four months of age.
• number of opportunistic immunisations
• referrals to other agencies, including reason for referral, number of referrals
• activities undertaken and total services hours provided through flexible service
component of the Universal Maternal and Child Health Service
• breastfeeding rates (fully and partial)
• incident reporting
• number of staff immunised.
Examples of audits
The following audits, and content within the audits, are examples that may be used
in order to inform the Maternal and Child Health Service on the achievement of the
criteria within the Program Standards.
• Health record audit, including reviews of:
– maintenance of record for each child accessing the Maternal and
Child Health Service
– outcomes of monitoring, intervention and health promotion
– service delivery based on determinants of health
– health and wellbeing of mother and family monitored with each contact
– information provided to mother and family
– compliance with the Health Records Act 2002.
• Audit of referrals made by the Maternal and Child Health Service, including:
– reason for referral
– services to which the child, mother and/or family are referred
– detail contained within the referral.
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Contents
Terms and definitions
3
• Audit of referrals made to Maternal and Child Health Service, including:
1 Introduction
6
1.1 Maternal and Child Health Service: Vision, mission, goals and principles
1.2 Overview of Maternal and Child Health Service
8
– reason for referral
2
10
Example surveys
11
12
The following are a list of example surveys, and content within the surveys, that
may be utilised in order to inform the Maternal and Child Health Service on the
achievement of the criteria within the Program Standards.
Background
2.1 An evidence-based framework
2.2 Structure of the Program Standards
2.3 Purpose and use of the Program Standards
2.4 Assessment against the Program Standards
3 The Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards
– information on organisation/provider making the referral
– quality of information provided within the referral.
• Survey of families, including views and feedback on:
13
Standard 1: Universal access
– Maternal and Child Health Service in general
– access to the Maternal and Child Health Service
– information available on the Maternal and Child Health Service
Standard 2: Optimal health and development
20
Standard 3: Partnerships and collaboration
28
Standard 4: Competent and professional workforce
33
Standard 5: Responsive and accountable service delivery
43
Standard 6: Quality and safety
51
– appropriateness of referral
References
61
– quality of information within the referral
Appendix A: Development of Maternal and Child Health Program Standards
67
– other relevant information to improve referrals from the Maternal
and Child Health Service.
Appendix B: List of evidence
74
– culturally competent service delivery for families
– partnership approach to service delivery.
• Survey of services which Maternal and Child Health Service offers referrals to,
including views and feedback on:
• Environmental survey, including:
– review of accessibility of the Maternal and Child Health Service
by children and families
Published by the Programs and Partnerships Division
Office for Children and Portfolio Coordination
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Melbourne
Published October 2009
ISBN 978-0-7594-0582-0
© State of Victoria 2009
The copyright in this document is owned by the State of Victoria. No part may be reproduced by any process
except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, NEALS (see below) or with permission.
An educational institution situated in Australia which is not conducted for profit, or a body responsible
for administering such an institution, may copy and communicate the materials, other than third-party
materials, for the educational purposes of the institution.
– risk assessment of environment in relation to children and families and the
maternal and child health workforce.
Other suggested evaluations and activities
The following additional evaluations and activities are suggested in order to inform
the Maternal and Child Health Service on the achievement of the criteria within the
Program Standards:
• Evaluation of health promotion activities undertaken by the Maternal and Child
Health Service
• Evaluation of key performance indicators associated with the strategic and
operational plans
• Review of activities to strengthen community capacity.
Authorised by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,
2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.
Also published on http://www.education.vic.gov.au
2
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service
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Maternal and Child Health Service
www.education.vic.gov.au/
ecsmanagement/mch/policy/default.htm
Maternal and Child
Health Service
Maternal and Child Health Service
Program Standards
Maternal and Child Health Service Program Standards