Draft TEI Program Specifications

The TEI and FCS programs have been brought together in recognition of the similarities in the role, purpose and common target groups of both programs. The TEI evaluation in particular highlighted the opportunity to achieve better integration and a more connected early intervention sector by merging TEI and FCS into one DCJ early intervention program.

Bringing the programs together also presents an opportunity to streamline and simplify reporting in Data Exchange (DEX).

Other benefits include less administrative burden in contracting and more flexible service delivery between the programs. This change will also increase awareness across TEI and FCS service providers which will assist in supporting clients as their needs change. The TEI program will now consist of three program activities:

1. Community Strengthening
2. Family Connect and Support (FCS)
3. Wellbeing and Safety

Further information about these three program activities is available in section 1.3 of the TEI Program Specifications. 

The FCS evaluation interim report demonstrated the FCS program is performing well and meeting the needs of families, so there are minimal changes to the FCS program. Changes to FCS include removing the weighted referral system and creating greater flexibility around service delivery, including in the assessment and overall timeframes for service delivery, to better support the needs of families.

Some changes have also been made to FCS service types to streamline and simplify reporting. 

Program streams are now referred to as program activities. The three program activities are ‘Community Strengthening’, ‘Family Connect and Support’ and ‘Wellbeing and Safety’. This updated terminology aligns with the DEX reporting system.

Both the TEI and FCS evaluations highlighted the opportunity to simplify program reporting. ​ The current program activities have been merged and service types under all program activities streamlined to help reduce duplication and simplify reporting and contracting requirements.

FCS and TEI service providers should still be able to identify the services they deliver in the updated service type descriptions.

A new service type called ‘Youth individualised support’ has been added. It involves providing case management or individualised support to a young person. This has been added as a distinct service type because of the unique needs of young people. 

The TEI program team have consulted with other areas of DCJ (including district commissioning and planning teams) in developing the draft Program Specifications.

Consultation with the sector and relevant peak bodies, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal staff from all TEI and FCS service providers, will take place from 5 June – 27 September to further enhance the Program Specifications, prior to finalisation.

There will also be an opportunity to update the Program Specifications after the final evaluation reports are delivered. If there are significant findings that haven’t already been addressed in the Program Specifications, DCJ will consult with service providers on further amendments. 

1 July 2025.

TEI service providers should use the current TEI Program Specifications and FCS service providers should use the current FCS Program Specifications up until this date.  

See here for the current TEI Program Specifications and current FCS Program Specifications.

Resources are available on the DCJ website (under key TEI program resources) to support service providers in developing program logics.  This includes individual program logic templates (with examples) and an e-learning module.

These resources are being updated with the new evidence and program logic requirements. The updated resources are expected to be available in mid to late 2024.

The new program logic templates, that are part of the updated TEI Program Specifications, are also user friendly and contain some pre-populated sections to assist ease of use.

The Family Connect and Support (FCS) program activity differs from the other program activities as it is a specific and unique program model implemented uniformly across NSW.

Further, the FCS evaluation interim report provided a strong rationale for maintaining the FCS program activity as a specific service model as it is found to be performing well and meeting the needs of families.

You can read the FCS evaluation interim report here. FCS service providers are not required to develop an individual program logic for their FCS service delivery because the model is the same across the state and this is reflected in the program-wide program logic at Appendix A of the Program Specifications. 

Yes, if a service provider delivers services across multiple program activities (e.g. Community Strengthening and Wellbeing and Safety) and/or to multiple target groups (e.g. young people AND families and children under the Wellbeing and Safety program activity), service providers will be required to complete more than one program logic.

The exception is Family Connect and Support (FCS) providers, who are not required to develop a program logic for their FCS service delivery.

For more information, see section 3.3 of the Program Specifications.

The new program logic templates, that are part of the updated TEI Program Specifications, are also user friendly and contain some pre-populated sections to assist ease of use.

The new Program Specifications elevate the importance of cultural safety in service design and delivery, including aligning practice to evidence in the Cultural Safety and Wellbeing Evidence Review. Culturally relevant outcomes and reporting will be included in the Program Specifications after consultation with the ACCO sector and Aboriginal staff from non-ACCO service providers.

Supporting the cultural safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal people is a key requirement of the program that all service providers must embed into their service delivery.

For more information about the program’s requirements regarding delivering culturally safe services for Aboriginal people, see section 6.2 of the Program Specifications

Supporting the cultural safety and wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities is a key requirement of the program.

The new Program Specifications outline the importance of supporting the safety and wellbeing of CALD children, young people, families and communities through the delivery of culturally-safe services to achieve positive outcomes for clients.

For more information about the program’s requirements regarding delivering culturally safe services for CALD communities, see section 6.2 of the Program Specifications. 

Core components are program components that are common across evidence-informed programs. 

The Preventing Child Maltreatment (PCM) Evidence Review identified 5 core components that are common across evidence-informed programs shown to prevent child maltreatment. They make up standardised program components that can be delivered by any program for families at risk of child maltreatment. The core components can be delivered in a flexible way, by service providers, that suits local communities and differing client cohorts. 

For more information on the PCM core components, see the Evidence Portal or section 3.3 of the Program Specifications.

Core components were also identified in the Youth Socioemotional Wellbeing Evidence Review . These are the common activities across evidence-informed programs that have been shown to foster socioemotional wellbeing outcomes for young people.

Further information on this core components approach can be found on the DCJ Evidence Portal.

Resources are available on the DCJ website (under key TEI program resources) to support service providers in developing program logics.  This includes individual program logic templates (with examples) and an e-learning module. Updated resources will be available in mid- late  2024.

The Preventing Child Maltreatment (PCM) Evidence Review identifies that all five core components that need to be delivered in order to prevent child maltreatment. Therefore, children and families who require support from services in the Wellbeing and Safety program activity should have access to services that deliver all five of the core components. However, not all core components need to be offered by the one TEI service provider. If there is a core component that a TEI service provider does not deliver, they can refer onto or partner with another service in their LGA who is delivering that core component.  The other service provider does not need to be a TEI service - they could be an early intervention service who is part of the broader early intervention network, another DCJ funded program, or another program that receives Commonwealth funding.

These referral pathways should be reflected in individual program logics.

It is anticipated these will be published in mid-late 2024. 

Yes, there will be an opportunity to update the Program Specifications after the final evaluation reports are delivered. If there are significant findings that haven’t already been addressed in the Program Specifications, DCJ will consult with service providers regarding further amendments.