Berry Street Web Docs Berry Street Annual Report 2011 | Page 28

Our Knowledge

One of the enduring drivers at Berry Street is our commitment to
constantly look at how we can improve. Our Knowledge goal is
that we generate and use knowledge, evidence and innovation
to enhance policy and service responses.
This means that we have a responsibility to: understand changes in the economic, social
and political environment; capture the practice wisdom of our staff; gather evidence of
the success of our programs; keep up to date with new developments and ideas; and
ensure that we have the right networks and communication tools.

Highlights included:
• The commitment that 1% of our salary budget will be directed to evaluating our
programs. We have contracted the Australian Centre for Child Protection to help
us develop a framework and key outcome measures. With the help of a person
seconded from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, we piloted an approach
in our Home Based Care programs
• We commissioned an independent review of our kinship care program, in partnership
with Anglicare Victoria. This review has confirmed the value of contracting this work
to community service organisations, as well as suggesting some program and policy
improvements
• In conjunction with Deakin University, we developed an evaluation process for our
Berry Big Adventure and our Health and Wellbeing program in the North and West
• We also commenced work on: a sexual health and education project (with the
generous assistance of a private donor); continued work on developing our Out
of Home Care manuals; reviewed our service charter and policy framework; and
brought staff together for practice forums
• Our new Excellence Framework was endorsed by the Board. This is part of our
commitment which goes beyond minimum external accreditation requirements
to achieving a level of excellence in everything we do. Our Excellence Framework
will encourage sound decision-making based on the commitment, knowledge and
skills of our people and innovation informed through systems of data collection,
evaluation and outcomes measurement

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