Contents
- Part 1 Executive Summary
- Part 2 Performance reporting
- Part 3 Corporate governance and accountability
- Part 4 Appendices
- Part 5 Financial Management
Annual Report 2007–2008
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Annual Report 2007–2008
Annual Report 2007–2008 » Chapter 7: Outcome 3
Services and assistance that: help children to have the best possible start in life; promote healthy family relationships; help families adapt to changing economic and social circumstances, and take an active part in the community; and assist families with the costs of children.
Outcome 3 has two contributing outputs:
| Families and children have choices and opportunities | (a) 2007–08 Final Estimates $’000 |
(b) 2007–08 Actual Expenses $’000 |
(b) – (a) Variation $’000 |
2008–09 Budget $’000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administered expenses | ||||
| Appropriations Act 1 | 308,076 | 299,049 | –9,027 | 165,110 |
| Appropriations Act 2 | 55,827 | 52,713 | –3,115 | 17,970 |
| Special Appropriations | 16,864,004 | 16,893,531 | 29,527 | 18,173,894 |
| Subtotal | 17,227,907 | 17,245,292 | 17,385 | 18,356,974 |
| Department outputs | ||||
| Appropriated revenues | 552,441 | 540,737 | –11,704 | 511,277 |
| Other non‑tax revenues | 3,569 | 5,360 | 1,791 | 3,568 |
| Subtotal | 556,010 | 546,097 | –9,913 | 514,845 |
| Total for Outcome 3 | 17,783,917 | 17,791,389 | 7,472 | 18,871,819 |
| Staffing years FaHCSIA (including the Social Security Appeals Tribunal)* |
818 | 821 | – | 447 |
* Note: The reduction in staffing numbers is due to the MOG changes resulting in a transfer of functions to DEEWR.
Case study—A new, more balanced way of working out child support*Melanie and Nguyen have three children, aged nine, seven and five. The children live mostly with Melanie, but Nguyen cares for them four nights a fortnight. Melanie has an adjusted taxable income of $30,000 and Nguyen of $50,000.
The new child support formula recognises the provision of care as a contribution to the costs of the children. Parents such as Nguyen, who provide between 14 and 34 per cent care, are taken to have met 24 per cent of the costs of the children and their child support payments are adjusted accordingly. This means the new formula better recognises the costs a parent incurs in providing care for their children.
The new child support formula also treats both parents’ incomes more equally in working out child support payments. Previously, a resident parent could earn about $45,505 before their income would be taken into account. The amount was much less for non‑resident parents—$15,378. From 1 July 2008, under the new formula, any income either parent earns above $18,252 will be taken into account in working out payments.
Under the new child support formula, Nguyen will pay around $100 a week less child support to Melanie. Nguyen will pay less child support because he is meeting some of the costs associated with caring for the children through providing care for them between 14 and 34 per cent of the time. Melanie’s adjusted taxable income of $30,000 is also considered in the calculation of child support payments.
Importantly, under the changes to be introduced from 1 July 2008, Nguyen will no longer be entitled to share the child related component of FTB Part A for his children. Instead, Melanie will receive all the FTB Part A payment, which will work out to around an additional $140 a week directed to her household. In Melanie’s case, the additional FTB Part A will make up for the reduction in her child support payments.
* This case study is a scenario and is not based on actual persons, living or dead.
FaHCSIA supports families and children by developing and implementing policies and programs affecting families, including: family payments, parenting support, child support, family relationship services and Indigenous family violence prevention.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA developed and implemented the following measures to assist families:
Where families caring for a family member with disability need support, the Government funds community‑based organisations through the Family Relationship Services Program to assist them.
Under the FRSC initiative, delivered in Victoria by Eastern Access Community Health (EACH), assistance was provided to a family when a parent who had been caring for their adult disabled son was no longer able to carry on this caring role.
The elderly parent, with four adult children, was caring for their disabled son at home. The son has full cognition and is very aware of what is going on, but is confined to a wheelchair and needs support with lifting and transfers. The parent has been diagnosed with a progressive illness that will soon affect their caring ability.
Since diagnosis, the other siblings have realised that family arrangements would have to change. They felt they needed to find out information around planning for the future.
All the siblings met with an FRSC Coordinator who provided them with the resource Planning for the Future: People with Disability and discussed what was needed in the form of further referrals for legal and financial advice. All siblings reported that their disabled brother was feeling stressed about the situation with their parent and felt that he needed to speak with a counsellor about his concerns.
The FRSC Coordinator organised for a counsellor, experienced in working with disabled people, to be contracted under the FRSC brokerage to work with the son. The counsellor worked with the disabled son over several months. This counselling enabled the son to talk about concerns for his future and about his parent’s health.
The siblings now have a better understanding of how to support their brother and of the situation with their parent. They have also been able to make other arrangements for the future, including the writing of a will. With input from their brother, they have worked out the things that he needs for his future care.
The Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP) funds community organisations to deliver a range of services to assist children, young people and adults to develop and maintain positive family relationships.
FaHCSIA provides funding to Mensline Australia through the FRSP.
Mensline Australia is a national program that provides professional telephone counselling support, as well as information and referral to men with family and relationship issues. The telephone service is available at all hours for the cost of a local call.
Many callers to the service are dealing with feelings of grief and loss which may be associated with divorce or separation. A recent caller to the service provided the following feedback:
‘I rang the helpline and found the counsellor to be very helpful. He was a great listener, because I said a lot for him to take in and he had the right things to say at the right times and he was able to reassure me. He also told me the hard things that I didn’t want to believe but knew to be true. Mensline Australia has given me greater confidence in myself and what I am trying to achieve. It’s great that these services are available. At 47, I am proud that I have been able to put aside the attitudes that I was brought up with and use this service. Thank you.’
The implementation of the Child Support Scheme Reforms has presented many challenges for the Department. In the lead‑up to implementation, extensive collaboration was required between relevant agencies to finalise policy details for regulations, operational guidelines and IT systems linkage between the Child Support Agency and Centrelink. To complete this work, inter-agency meetings were conducted to ensure consideration of all policy and related service delivery implications. Cross-agency working groups also reported monthly on activities to the central steering committee, to provide a coordinated approach to implementation.
Developing and implementing projects that address family violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities is a complex task. The logistical challenges of service delivery in remote communities—including staff recruitment and training, provision of premises and accommodation, transport, and climatic conditions—all need careful consideration when planning new services. These factors, combined with the time needed to engage communities in Family Violence Regional Activities Program (FVRAP) and Family Violence Partnership Program (FVPP) projects, can create lengthy lead times, which often result in project timeframes needing to be extended.
The Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP) online application is a secure, web‑based application accessed through the internet. The application records service delivery and is the means by which service providers and the Department assess performance against client targets. The continued development and implementation of the application, and the associated reporting portal during 2007–08, has been a challenge. FaHCSIA continues to work with the family relationship services sector to ensure it has effective and timely data that respects the privacy of all parties.
During 2007–08, the Department, in conjunction with the Attorney‑General’s Department and the sector, continued developing the FRSP performance framework to better measure the effectiveness of programs in addressing family matters. Identifying and measuring the direct, medium and longer‑term benefits associated with early intervention services continues to be a challenge.
Challenges have been faced in the delivery of the Communities for Children program in rural and remote areas due to difficulties in contracting or retaining service providers in areas where there are few providers available. In these instances, methods and timeframes for delivery have been renegotiated, with some service delivery being completed by the local non‑government organisation that is funded by the Department to manage Communities for Children in the area. In other cases, the retention of funds into subsequent financial years has been approved to allow activities to be completed once a local service provider has been identified.
In 2007–08, payment of the Baby Bonus was introduced as 13 fortnightly instalments, for under 18 year olds and income managed families, to ensure that assistance for parents of newborns will help address the challenges they face in caring for very young children.
Further targeting of the Baby Bonus was announced in the 2008–09 Budget. Payment in 13 fortnightly instalments will be extended to all families from 1 January 2009, in conjunction with the introduction of an income test on family income in the six months following the birth of a baby, or the adoption of a child under the age of 16 years. The income test will limit eligibility to families with an income of $75,000 or less in the six month period after the birth or adoption of a child (equivalent to $150,000 per year).
In May 2008, the Government announced an inquiry into Australia’s Future Tax System to review assistance to working families. The tax review will focus on improvements to the tax and transfer systems to ensure appropriate incentives for workforce participation and skill formation and will include an assessment of family payments.
In June 2008, FaHCSIA provided a detailed submission to assist the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into paid maternity leave. The Productivity Commission inquiry will identify paid maternity and parental leave models and assess their cost effectiveness and impact on families and business.
A measure was announced in the 2008–09 Budget to reduce Family Tax Benefit (FTB) debts caused by families not confirming their actual income for the financial year through the lodgement of their tax returns. Families who incur ‘non‑lodger‘ debts will lose access to their fortnightly FTB payments until they lodge outstanding tax returns, or inform Centrelink that they are not required to do so.
It was also announced in the 2008–09 Budget that families’ tax refunds and FTB top‑up payments will be used to offset any type of FTB debt. To ensure that these debts can be resolved as quickly as possible once tax returns are lodged, the length of time that the Australian Taxation Office is able to transfer income details to Centrelink will be extended.
The Family Relationship Services Program early intervention service supports and strengthens families by providing an integrated set of service activities, such as information and support, counselling, education and assessment to enhance family relationships, assist in problem solving, prevent family breakdown and resolve conflict around separation.
The National Illicit Drugs Strategy (NIDS) Strengthening Families Program takes an early intervention and family-focused approach to dealing with the impacts of substance abuse on families. Following an independent evaluation this year, the Department has been working towards better connecting the work of the NIDS Strengthening Families Program to the broader family relationship and mental health sector. Eighteen community organisations currently deliver 19 projects that provide access to services for families experiencing drug and alcohol related issues.
The Government funds two programs specifically aimed at preventing and addressing Indigenous family violence—the Family Violence Partnership Program (FVPP) and the Family Violence Regional Activities Program (FVRAP). Both programs are ongoing and continue to assist and support Indigenous families and communities to break the cycle of violence. Current FVRAP projects are now funded for three years to allow the service providers to continue to deliver these services to the communities.
The Communities for Children program takes a place‑based early intervention and prevention approach to child protection and development. The program supports and strengthens Australian families, and works with local communities to build their capacity to deliver services locally and solve local issues.
Intensive Support PlaygroupsIntensive Support Playgroups (ISPs) are initiated and facilitated by skilled family support and early childhood workers who deliver mobile playgroup services across a number of sites in urban, regional, and remote areas. These playgroups provide a safe environment in which to promote positive early childhood development methods, contributing to increased child safety and wellbeing.
The Family Support Workers provide extensive support to families by linking them with a wide range of community services and addressing issues that are adversely impacting on the caregiver’s capacity to parent effectively.
Several remote communities in northern Australia are working collaboratively with service providers to successfully operate ISPs.
One particular community has provided the playgroup with a classroom venue, which they then cleaned and decorated. Playgroup attendance is now regular and the community are proud of their achievements. At this particular playgroup, a carer who attends with a two‑year-old family member is very happy as staff are encouraging the child to learn to read. The carer said that this was in turn encouraging the child’s mother to learn to read also.
In the 2007–08 Budget, an additional $13.8 million in funding over four years was allocated to the Playgroup Program as an incentive under the Expansion of Playgroups for Indigenous Families (EPIF) measure. In 2007–08, EPIF:
This measure extended funding for Assistance to Families at Risk of Overpayment, originally announced in the 2005–06 Budget, by an additional year. This funding allowed the Family Assistance Office to continue to assist families identified as at risk of incurring an FTB overpayment, to estimate their income, understand the FTB system and improve their awareness of payment choices.
This measure provided Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth with infrastructure funding of $2.2 million in 2007–08. This funding is further developing the collaborative and multidisciplinary network of researchers, policy makers and practitioners to draw together the knowledge and understanding needed to improve outcomes for children and youth.
This measure applies to Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Refer to the Outcome 1 performance report for details on this measure.
These measures apply to Outcomes 2 and 3. Refer to the Outcome 2 performance report for details on this measure.
The technology‑based interface between the Australian Taxation Office and Centrelink will be further developed to help ensure consistency in Family Tax Benefit processing by the Family Assistance Office, Centrelink, Medicare and the Australian Taxation Office.
This measure applies to Outcomes 2 and 3. Refer to the Outcome 2 performance report for details on this measure.
FaHCSIA family services support all families, including separated parents and blended families. FaHCSIA also administers and manages, on behalf of the Attorney‑General’s Department, a suite of post‑separation services.
These services include Family Relationship Centres, the Parenting Orders Program, Children’s Contact Services, Post-Separation Cooperative Parenting, and the Supporting Children After Separation Program.
This measure applies to Outcomes 2, 3, and 4. Refer to the Outcome 2 performance report for details on this measure.
This program continued to be funded under the Family Relationships Services Program (FRSP). The FRSP, as part of its men’s access strategy, developed the Father Inclusive Practice Project in 2007–08. This project developed a Good Practice Guide, in collaboration with a number of experts and 16 service providers from the FRSP and Early Childhood Program sector. The project aims to improve outcomes for families and children by supporting the delivery of services that are accessible and inclusive of the needs of fathers.
This measure applies to Outcomes 2 and 3. Refer to the Outcome 2 performance report for details on this measure.
This measure applies to Outcomes 2 and 3. Refer to the Outcome 2 performance report for details on this measure.
From 1 January 2008, Multiple Birth Allowance was extended to older children, rather than ceasing when the children reach the age of six. The allowance is paid either until the children turn 16 years of age, or until the end of the year they turn 18, for eligible full‑time students. During 2007–08, Multiple Birth Allowance was paid at the rate of $121.94 per fortnight for triplets, and $162.54 per fortnight for quadruplets and larger birth sets.
The Australian Government agreed to provide $500,000 to the Channel 7 Telethon Trust as its contribution to projects the Telethon supported in 2007–08.
The Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP) implemented a $10.3 million initiative to build on and expand the existing Social and Emotional Drought Counselling measure. More than $8 million was committed to establishing 24 Family Support Drought Response Teams (FSDRT). These teams will provide a more comprehensive suite of family relationship services to all rural families affected by the drought in exceptional circumstance declared areas across Australia. These services are provided free of charge.
The FSDRTs will provide family relationship counselling, education and skills training, crisis intervention, case management and other services to address issues such as mental health, family violence, substance abuse and relationship distress. They will also provide outreach support to families and work closely with other rural services to provide holistic and integrated assistance.
Indigenous Parenting Support Services (IPSS) is a Government election commitment to implement new Early Learning and Development Services—Parenting Support for Indigenous families. This $16.6 million initiative will strengthen parenting skills and support the development, learning and wellbeing of Indigenous children. The services will be integrated into existing platforms such as child care centres, schools, Aboriginal health centres and other related services, to provide Indigenous families with access to enhanced parenting support.
IPSS will increase the number of Indigenous families and children that have access to parent-child services, with a particular focus on families with children aged zero to two years. Services will be offered to Indigenous families in safe and informal settings and will provide referrals to other services as required. The services will help Indigenous parents overcome barriers to good family relationships and support them through their children’s transition to child care, pre‑school and primary school.
Under the auspice of the Attorney‑General’s Department (AGD), the evaluation of the New Family Law System commenced during 2007–08. The evaluation is being undertaken by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), and builds on pre‑reform data to provide a clearer picture of the impact of the law reform package.
The evaluation was expanded during the year to examine the combined impacts of the family law and child support reforms on Australian families. AIFS is due to provide interim reports to AGD and FaHCSIA on the evaluation and research activities by the end of 2009. The survey data will be supplemented by an analysis of administrative data that has been collected to measure and report on key components of the reforms.
The reforms to the child support system included resources to conduct research and improve knowledge about child support in Australia and to monitor the reforms. These activities are being combined to generate administrative and survey data that can form the basis of evaluative analyses of the reforms in the future.
A major survey of around 5,000 child support parents was conducted in 2007–08, by the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute within the Australian National University. The survey collected information about the circumstances of child support customers and their children before the new formula commenced on 1 July 2008, as well as broader information about the circumstances and attitudes of parents in the child support system.
The National Evaluation of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy 2004–09 is due to be finalised in 2008–09. See Output Group 3.1 and Output Group 4.4 for further information on the strategy.
Case study—Raising Children NetworkFaHCSIA funds the national parenting website, Raising Children Network (www.raisingchildren.net.au) under the parenting appropriation—Output Group 3.2. It is provided by a non‑profit consortium of the Parenting Research Centre, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Centre for Community Child Health, and the Smart Population Foundation.
Since its launch in May 2006, the website has attracted 8 million visits, with an average of 380,000 visits per month. The website is for parents, caregivers and professionals seeking comprehensive, quality-assured and user‑friendly information about raising children from birth to eight years of age.
The Raising Children DVD, a companion to the website, is provided to all new parents in the Government’s New Parent Pack. Together, the DVD and website offer inclusive and engaging information about parenting during the crucial early years of child development.
Professionals who work with families, or who plan, manage and provide service delivery, can access materials on ‘Working with Parents’—including practice resources, seminar papers, research articles and links to services and other professionals.
‘The Raising Children website is marked as one of my favourite websites so that I can quickly and easily refer to it, and encourage parents to refer to it, during consultations. I routinely promote the Raising Children Network website to parents at their child’s four‑week Key Age and Stage visit, so that they are aware the website provides current and accurate information for parents of young children. The topics I often access myself include: introduction to solids, recipes and meal ideas, appropriate use of child car restraints and travelling with babies and young children. The illustrations are great: bright and informative.’
Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Victoria