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Targeted Earlier Intervention program

Understand the Targeted Earlier Intervention program and its guidelines and policies.

What is the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) program?

“Effective prevention and early intervention is possibly the most promising strategy for changing the trajectories of children."

'Better systems, better chances' Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth 2015

Evidence shows that children’s life chances are affected by both their families and communities, and that both can be changed for the better. The TEI program delivers a wide variety of support to children, young people, families and communities.

Each local community has different priorities and needs and so the TEI program is flexible, responsive and locally based.

Services are delivered under two broad streams:

‘Community Strengthening’ – activities that build cohesion, inclusion and wellbeing across all communities, and empower Aboriginal communities.

‘Wellbeing and Safety’ – activities that support families and individuals, and provide opportunities for personal development.

The TEI program supports the people who need it earlier on, to make the biggest difference. This is an important step towards achieving the Premier’s priority of Protecting our most vulnerable children and Increasing permanency for children in out-of-home care by helping families to care for their children before they enter out-of-home care.

You can find out more about the TEI program through exploring our website.

TEI outcomes framework

What is the Targeted Earlier Intervention outcomes framework?

The Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) outcomes framework outlines how DCJ and service providers will work together to build evidence of TEI program outcomes. It provides a roadmap for linking the TEI program and any program activities to improved client outcomes.

The outcomes framework supports providers in measuring and displaying the contribution of their TEI work to achieving lasting change in peoples’ lives. It also ensures that DCJ invests in programs that deliver meaningful outcomes for the people we serve. A large part of this is developing a clear program logic and collecting and reporting data through the Data Exchange system (DEX).

What DCJ support is available to service providers?

DCJ have created a TEI specific program logic template to help you align your service to the outcomes framework. Your local DCJ district can also help you to create your program logic.

For more information on developing a Program Logic, see the Program Logic page.

Data collection and reporting is now managed through the Data Exchange system (DEX).

Your local district will also support you with using the Data Exchange system.

For more information on the Data Exchange system, see the Data Exchange page.

Commissioning in Targeted Earlier Intervention

Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) uses a commissioning approach to inform decisions about programs and activities. This is in line with DCJ’s strategic approach for delivering funded human services.

Commissioning at DCJ puts clients, communities and outcomes at the centre of human services. This means we design, implement and manage our services based on the needs and aspirations of our clients and communities, the intended outcomes and evidence of what works to achieve those outcomes.

Commissioning leverages the strengths of all stakeholders. It emphasises working together - clients, community, service providers, government and other service partners - from conception to delivery of services, monitoring and evaluation.

Commissioning TEI services helps us to:

  • understand the needs and aspirations of our clients and the communities we work with
  • determine how to best meet these needs and aspirations
  • make decisions about how to design, fund, resource, deliver, manage and evaluate ongoing service delivery, programs and systems to achieve the best outcomes with the available resources.
  • work together with clients, communities and service partners

We need to be sure that the services we provide make a difference to the people we serve.

When DCJ procures TEI services, we use the NSW Human Services Agreement (HSA), which involves three contracting documents:

  1. Agreement for funding of services, standard terms
  2. Agreement for funding of services, schedule (sample TEI schedule)
  3. TEI program specifications

Program logic – how we’ll deliver the right support

Program logic – Delivering the right support

All TEI service providers are required to develop a program logic within their first year of service delivery.

A program logic is an important component of evidence-based practice. The program logic provides a framework for monitoring and evaluating service activities and helps service providers link program activities with client outcomes.

The program logic is a living document that is reviewed annually. It should be kept up to date as local priorities and service activities change, and needs to be reviewed annually.

Will my program logic be assessed?

Your program logic will be assessed by your local district. This is to ensure service providers adequately understand TEI objectives and all program logics developed in the TEI program are high-quality.

Your local district will use this guide: Assessing a program logic. This includes clear criteria to promote best practice and consistency in the TEI program.

What DCJ support is available?

TEI Program Logic E-module

We have developed a 15 minute Program Logic e-module to help you to develop your program logics: Developing a program logic e-module

Download the TEI program logic template and examples to help you complete the e-module.

Program Logic resources

See these other useful resources for further assistance:

If you have any questions or comments about these resources please contact: TEI@facs.nsw.gov.au

Real examples of program logics from service providers

The Data Exchange – how we’ll know what works

The Data Exchange – how we know what works

What is the Data Exchange (DEX)?

DEX is the reporting platform used in the TEI program. It is a web-based platform hosted by the Department of Social Services.

DEX has the flexibility to capture information across the entire TEI continuum, helping ensure service delivery information and client outcomes are reported in a consistent way. All TEI services report data through DEX.

Who can I ask for help?

For help with MyGovID and RAM: call the support line on 1300 287 539

For general Data Exchange support: contact dssdataexchange.helpdesk@dss.gov.au or 1800 020 283 (8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday)

For TEI specific questions: talk to your local DCJ district contact first, or email us at TEI@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

DEX resources and information

  • The Data Exchange Protocols: is a manual that describes the different elements of the Data Exchange and how services are expected to use the platform
  • The TEI Data Collection and Reporting Guide: outlines the minimum data set needed for the TEI program and how TEI services are expected to measure and report client information
  • The Data Exchange Quick Start Guide: provides an overview of the key steps you should follow to access and start using the Data Exchange
  • InDex: A handy index of Data Exchange (DEX) resources for the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) program

Data Exchange Resources

Getting onto the Data Exchange

Start reporting

Consent and Privacy

Measuring and reporting client outcomes

Real examples of measuring outcomes from service providers

Using the Data Exchange Reports

If you have any questions or comments about these resources please contact: TEI@facs.nsw.gov.au

Webinars

2020 Data Exchange Webinar series

In 2020, we ran a webinar series to help service providers understand how to access and use the Data Exchange. Recordings of these webinars and the powerpoint slides that were used are below:

Understand need in your local area

Each community has different priorities and needs. The TEI program is flexible, responsive and locally based, so that people can get the right support.

DCJ has developed three resources to support service providers in understanding their local area.

  1. District data profiles - A detailed profile of your local district. It includes demographic, housing, child development, community safety and child protection information. Where possible, we present this information at the local government area (LGA) level.
  2. Local priorities ­- An evidence-based snapshot of the main priorities in your district.
  3. Their Futures Matter data pack - An infographic presenting relevant data at both the District and LGA level. Data is taken from the Forecasting Future Outcomes Stronger Communities Investment Unit 2018 Insights report.

Find out more about your local district below:

Central Coast

Far West

Hunter

Illawarra Shoalhaven

Mid North Coast

Murrumbidgee

Nepean Blue Mountains

New England

Northern NSW

Northern Sydney

Southern NSW

South Eastern Sydney

South Western Sydney

Sydney

Western NSW

Western Sydney

Sector Support

The Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) program supports the people who need it earlier, to make the biggest impact. The delivery of this support relies on TEI funded services who are on the ground engaging with TEI clients, working with them to make a difference in their lives.

To assist our service providers in making TEI as effective as possible, assistance is currently provided in the following forms:

Change Together

Change Together is a learning program for non-government practitioners working with children and families who are receiving Targeted Earlier Intervention, Family Connect and Support or Family Preservation services funded by the Department of Communities and Justice. The program provides free training to complement the professional learning of individual non-government organisations. For more information on Change Together can be found here.

Other training

Fams has partnered with the Governance Institute of Australia and CCWT to offer access to training opportunities to TEI services. View further information about these training opportunities.

Stay up to date

Keep checking these webpages as we will be updating them regularly.

TEI Inform

Subscribe to our TEI Inform newsletter to receive email updates. You can read previous editions below:

Your questions answered

Archived updates

Key dates

30 September  2019

DCJ announces recommissioning for the TEI program.

November 2019

Key recommissioning information available to TEI service providers:

  • local priority data
  • TEI program guidelines
  • TEI outcomes framework
  • TEI program data collection and reporting guide
  • TEI district local recommissioning plan
  • TEI program logic.

November 2019 to

March 2020

District-led TEI recommissioning information sessions held for TEI service providers.

Contract negotiations held with TEI service providers.

31 March 2020

Contract negotiations are finalised

1 July 2020

TEI contracts commence and first quarterly payment released.

Key TEI resources

TEI program overview

  • TEI program specifications - sets out the intended program outcomes, the program target group and examples of activities that might be delivered under the program. Service providers must comply with the TEI program specifications.
  • TEI program fact sheet - explains the TEI program and the recommissioning process.
  • TEI outcomes framework - underpins the whole TEI program and explains how we will work together to build evidence and improve outcomes.

TEI contracts

TEI program logic

Real program logics from service providers

Privacy

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

The Data Exchange

Measuring and Reporting Outcomes

Real examples of measuring outcomes from service providers

Using the Data Exchange Reports

Data Exchange Webinar Series

Local data

  • Local data packs - select your local district to access data about your area. You can use this data to develop your program logic.

Sector Development Organisations

TEI Commissioning

Targeted Earlier Intervention Program 2020-2021 NSW Annual Report

The Targeted Earlier Intervention Program 2020-2021 NSW Annual Report is the first state-wide report for the TEI Program. It presents quantitative data reported by TEI service providers from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. It provides key information about service delivery, client cohorts, and client and community level outcomes.

Targeted Earlier Intervention Program 2020-2021 District Annual Reports are also now available:

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Last updated: 13 May 2022