Indigenous early childhood development. New Directions: mothers and babies services

Australian National Audit Office (2012)
Indigenous early childhood development. New Directions: mothers and babies services
Canberra: Australian National Audit Office

The Indigenous early childhood development national partnership (IECD NP) focuses on improving access to, and the use of, maternal and child health services. The New directions: mothers and babies services is a program under this partnership, funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA).

Service delivery under the IECD NP includes:

• antenatal and postnatal care
• standard information about baby care
• advice and assistance with breastfeeding, nutrition and parenting
• monitoring developmental milestones, immunisation and infections
• health checks and referrals prior to starting school.

This audit report examines how effective DoHA has been in administering the New directions: mother and babies services program.

The audit includes key findings on:

• program development and planning for effective service delivery
• program implementation
• performance monitoring and reporting.

Recommendations and DoHA’s response are also presented.

Abstract adapted from Australian National Audit Office summary

• Further information:
• View abstract: Indigenous early childhood development. New Directions: mothers and babies services
• View report: Indigenous early childhood development. New Directions: mothers and babies services (PDF – 1.7 MB)
• View media release: A better start for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and children
• View website: Australian National Audit Office