• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Part A - Information about Family Relationship Services
  • 1. FRS Overview
    • 1.1 Eligibility
    • 1.2 Selection
    • 1.3 Consortia and Subcontracting
    • 1.4 Funding
    • 1.5 Reporting and Assessment
  • 2. Service Delivery Components of the Program
    • 2.1 Program/Sub-program
  • 3. Responsibilities, Accountabilities and the Way we Work with the Sector
    • 3.1 Departmental Responsibilities and Accountabilities
    • 3.2 Funding Recipient Responsibilities and Accountabilities
  • 4. Performance Management and Evaluation
    • 4.1 Performance Measurement
    • 4.2 FRS Performance Framework
    • 4.3 Performance Recognition and Improvement
    • 4.4 FRSP Online
    • 4.5 Quality Assurance and Risk Management
    • 4.6 Service Assessments
    • 4.7 Site Visits
    • 4.8 Financial Accountability
    • 4.9 Evaluation and Research
  • 5. Privacy and Confidentiality
    • 5.1 Freedom of Information
    • 5.2 Security of Information
  • 6. Complaints
• Part B - Information about the Family and Parenting Services (FPS) and Family Law Services (FLS) Streams
  • 7. Program Management and Service Delivery Details
    • 7.1 Participants/ Clients/Recipients
    • 7.2 Funding
    • 7.3 Program Links with Other Agencies and Services
    • 7.4 Eligible Activities
    • 7.5 Approved FRS Services
      • 7.5.1 Family and Parenting Services – Prevention and Early Intervention
      • 7.5.2 Family Law Services – Information and Post-separation
    • 7.6 Information Technology
    • 7.7 Information Technology Support
  • 8. Contact information
• Appendix A. FRS Administrative Approval Requirements
• Appendix B. FRSP Online Protocols
• Appendix C. Operational Framework for Family Relationship Centres
  • Part One
    • Role of Family Relationship Centres
    • Assistance provided by Family Relationship Centres
    • Client Service Delivery Principles
    • Staffing, Training And Competency
    • Facilities
    • National Network
    • Principles for Engagement with Community and Other Organisations
  • Part Two - Guidelines
    • Guidelines Relating to Referrals from the Child Support Agency
    • Guidelines for Access to Centrelink
    • Guidelines on Client Service Delivery
    • Guidelines on Safety Policies, Procedures and Critical Incidents
    • Guidelines for working with the Family Relationship Advice Line
    • Guidelines for Engagement with the Community and Other Organisations and Individuals
    • Referral Guidelines for Family Relationship Centres and the Family Relationship Advice Line
    • Guidelines for Referrals to Legal Advice by Staff in Family Relationship Centres
    • Service Charter and Complaints
    • Service Charter Template
• Appendix D. Supporting Children after Separation Program - Description and Operational Requirements
• Appendix E. National Find and Connect Service for Forgotten Australians and former child migrants -Service Description
• 9. Glossary

Family Relationship Services Guidelines

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• Next: Introduction

Foreword

Family Relationships Services (FRS) is a national program funded at over $231¹ million (excluding GST) annually by the Australian Government (Commonwealth) through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the Attorney-General's Department (AGD).

This significant investment is intended to improve family functioning and safety and support families in transition to minimise the emotional, social and economic costs of disruption to family relationships. FRS providers support individuals, couples and families, including extended family members. This is delivered through a suite of prevention, early intervention, and post-separation services providing information, referral, counselling, education and dispute resolution.

In February 2009, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs announced the new Family Support Program (FSP). The FSP will bring together FaHCSIA's existing family, parenting and children programs, including FRS into one streamlined program.

FSP operates in the context of a number of broader Commonwealth priorities, in particular:

• the social inclusion agenda
• the national framework for protecting Australia's children, Australia's children: safe and well
• the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and
• the National Compact between the Commonwealth and the non-profit sector.

The transition to the FSP will be undertaken in partnership with the family support sector and is expected to be completed in 2011. This is an exciting opportunity for the sector and Commonwealth. We look forward to working together to better support families, nurture children and build strong, resilient communities.

1. This figure includes funding for Family Law Services, Post Separation Services and Early Intervention Services through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the Attorney-General's Department (AGD).

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