The Building Safe and Strong Families: Earlier Intervention and Family Support Strategy (the Strategy) provides a framework for the alignment of the service system to meet the current needs of families most vulnerable to their children entering out-of-home care. Importantly it builds on the strategies and services that have been effective in meeting the needs of vulnerable families and sets out a plan to re-align those that need to be more targeted and effective.
The Strategy focuses on four key areas with a range of actions under each:
1. Delivering shared outcomes through collective effort
A system that is aligned and accountable to achieving shared outcomes for vulnerable families, with a focus on Aboriginal children and families.
2. A culturally competent service system
A system that is safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal families.
3. Diverting families from the child protection system
A system that identifies families that are vulnerable to involvement with the statutory child protection system, and provides early and intensive support.
4. Preventing children entering out-of-home care
A system that prioritises and aligns the Department’s workforce and resources to prevent the most vulnerable children from entering out-of-home care.
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CPFS REFORm news!
contracts for the intensive family support service and family support networks have been awarded
More than 10 towns representing over 60% of the regional population in Western Australia will now have access to intensive in-home support services as part of the Department’s reform of child protection services.
The expansion of the Intensive Family Support Services to regional areas and enhanced Family Support Networks in the metropolitan area will support efforts to divert at-risk children and families from the care system and deliver improved outcomes.
The latest service awards have created new ties with 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations who will support culturally responsive, safe and secure services to better meet the needs of Aboriginal families, who are unfortunately over-represented in the child protection system.
The intensive support services will include the coordination and provision of general life skills, education, safety and protective skills which will support children to remain safely in their home, as well as support reunification, and will be available across all metropolitan and regional districts.
As part of the new contract for Family Support Networks, at-risk families will receive an intensive case management response and in-home practical supports.
Intensive Family Support Services
|
Service Location (District) |
Successful Respondent and Partner Agency |
|
Armadale |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Cannington |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Fremantle |
UnitingCare West in partnership with Kinship Connections Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Joondalup |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Midland |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Mirrabooka |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Perth |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Rockingham |
UnitingCare West in partnership with Kinship Connections Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
East Kimberley |
Key Assets the Children's Service Provider (Australia) Limited in partnership with Wunan Foundation and Ngnowar Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation |
|
West Kimberley |
Centacare Kimberley Association Inc in partnership with Australian Childhood Foundation, Derby Aboriginal Health Services*, Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Services* and MercyCare |
|
Pilbara |
MacKillop Family Services Ltd in partnership with Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation*and Mawankarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Murchison |
Mission Australia in partnership with Yulella Aboriginal Corporation* and Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
South West |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation* and Lamp |
|
Peel |
UnitingCare West in partnership with Kinship Connections Aboriginal Corporation* |
|
Great Southern |
Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation* in partnership with Anglicare WA Inc |
|
Wheatbelt |
Wanslea Family Services Incorporated in partnership with Kaata-Koorliny Employment and Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation (KEEDAC)* |
|
Goldfields |
Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Anglicare WA Inc* |
Family Support Network Lead Agency
|
Service Location |
Successful Respondent and Partner Agency* |
|
Mirrabooka / Joondalup |
Mercy Community Services Incorporated in partnership with Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation |
|
Perth / Midland |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation |
|
Cannington / Armadale |
Centrecare Inc in partnership with Wungening Aboriginal Corporation |
|
Fremantle / Rockingham |
Communicare Inc in partnership with Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation |
*ACCO – Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.