This report was commissioned as part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)’s Roadmap for Reform, a systematic approach to improving the Victorian child and family system.

This Policy Brief outlines a different approach for addressing the complex nature of childhood vulnerability in communities experiencing high levels of disadvantage – a place-based collective impact approach.

This Policy Brief identifies an urgent need to change this paradigm and formulate a comprehensive, sustainable and evidence-informed plan to effectively promote and improve the mental health of children and the adults they become.

Optimising early childhood development requires a holistic approach to policy, programs and services that builds understanding of this important period and advances integrated polices and evidence-informed practices.

This Policy Brief outlines a decision-making framework that recognises the importance of the relationship between service providers and clients, and the need for evidence-based interventions to be aligned with client needs, priorities and values.