Service Analysis and Business Development

• Background
• Service Analysis and Business Development
• SABD Staff

Background

Preschools are an integral part of children’s services in New South Wales. Children’s services provide crucial developmental opportunities for children, helping them to prepare for future life, and building their social and emotional well-being. There are 775 preschools in NSW, and the majority of these are in the community-based sector.

The Preschool Investment Reform Plan (PIRP) announced by the Premier in May 2006 represents an $85 million investment in strengthening the community-based preschool sector in NSW. The Plan aims to improve access to children’s services in NSW by making it more affordable, and making it easier for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in a program in the year before starting school.

The Plan is supported by a reform program to ensure that children’s services are sustainable and to help them respond to the changing environment and needs of the sector.

Matrix on Board and the Miller Group were contracted to deliver the Service Analysis and Business Development (SABD) component of the PIRP.  This support is being provided to nominated Department of Community Services (DoCS) funded and licensed preschools and long day care Services across New South Wales.  

Methods used by Matrix to provide SABD support include as per DoCS specifications:

• Develop and Disseminate an SABD Resource Manual – including practical tools and templates
• Provide a Helpdesk service (phone and email support to services identified by DoCS)
• Develop and deliver guided workshops across the State
• Provide a one or two day one on one support session with a SABD trained consultant

In total the project provided support to 307 children’s services.  Of these services 93 will receive guided workshop support, 76 will receive intensive support and 38 will receive super intensive support. The breakdown is as follows: