OzChild: Transforming practice through a shared mindset

Service: Strengthening practice

Our work with OzChild

OzChild engaged us to design and implement their National Overarching Practice Framework. The result was an evidence-informed practice innovation that provides a shared way of working for everyone at OzChild, from practitioners to leaders.

Uncover practice strengths to maximise impact

About this work

A unified approach to improving practice

OzChild is a leading child welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people, and families experiencing significant challenges. OzChild employs 700 staff, carers and volunteers, who support more than 10,000 children, young people, and family members each year.

OzChild asked us to help design their National Overarching Practice Framework (‘the Framework’). With nine core practice principles that shape the thinking, actions, and decisions of the organisation, the Framework elevates consistency and improvement in practice. It also helps drive OzChild’s journey towards its organisational strategy and desired outcomes for families.

We applied our PracticeWorks® methodology to help design and implement the Framework.

What we did

Collaboration at every step

During this project we:

Facilitated staff workshops to identify OzChild’s organisation-wide ‘theory of change’ and the shared outcomes it strives.
Led a rigorous 12-month staff consultation process to ensure the Framework was practical and usable across all programs and organisational levels. Carer surveys were also conducted.
Used evidence-informed strategies, action plans, and consultation to support the successful implementation of the Framework.
Up-skilled leaders with coaching skills to support their staff to embed the Framework in their practice. This included delivering a coaching model, training, one-on-one coaching, and group coaching to build leaders’ capacity.
Supported OzChild’s journey in developing a continuous practice improvement system for tracking progress, celebrating strengths and achievements, and meeting needs.

What we delivered

Evidence-informed practice innovation

The role of an Overarching Practice Framework is to provide a unified and strengthened practice approach across an organisation’s practice.

In their Framework, OzChild wanted a ‘shared mindset’ to guide work and interactions in all roles and levels, from practitioners to leadership to the board.

The breadth of the Framework’s impact ‘on the ground’ is clear: the united approach strengthens daily interactions with families and stakeholders, shapes recruitment and onboarding processes, and guides communications. It is also evident in the ongoing learning journeys of staff and the organisation in culturally responsive and safe ways of partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

Backed by a continuous practice improvement data system, the Framework elevates evidence-informed practice and decision-making.

I am incredibly appreciative of the level of support and expertise that has been provided by the Parenting Research Centre over the past 12 months. [The team] has been responsive, professional, and generous with their time, knowledge and support.

Kylie Williams, Director of Practice Development and Implementation, OzChild

This collaboration has been instrumental in assisting the organisation to navigate implementation seamlessly and effectively. We look forward to a continued partnership with PRC.