Developing a Family Support Program
Foreword
On 16 February 2009, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs,
the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, announced the Australian Government was bringing together a range of families, parenting and children’s services under the national Family Support Program (FSP) to streamline administrative arrangements and provide more flexibility to better assist families improve outcomes for themselves and their children.
The Minister expects the Family Support Program to build on the strengths and achievements of individual services and to further strengthen the capacity of providers to offer more flexible, responsive and coordinated support for families and children, particularly at the local community level. This recognises the work already underway in family relationship services and Community for Children sites.
To develop the way forward the Department has prepared this discussion paper for consulting with state/territory and local governments and the FSP sector. The paper:
- acknowledges the complexity of modern family structures and day to day life
- cements the principles of strengthening family resilience and working in the best interests of children across a broader suite of family and children’s programs
- embraces tailored and coordinated service delivery as a recognised means of better meeting the needs of families and children
- takes forward the Commonwealth’s new emphasis that vulnerable families, domestic violence and child protection are everybody’s business
- recognises that new ways of working require further changes in program design and delivery
- seeks the views of the sector and services in the spirit of collaboration.
The consultation process values all feedback, written and face to face. In particular we are interested in hearing:
- whether the operating environment as set out in this paper reflects what you consider should be in place to deliver an effective program
- what practical changes need to be made or considered together to create this environment
- what are the priorities that need to be in place by July 2011
- what are the longer term activities required to enhance the program and its operating environment
- about the challenges you see in better linking services and organisations at the local level to improve outcomes for families and children.
The Department is also keen to hear from you about how well the draft FSP vision will meet the needs of families and children, particularly those that are disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Through this consultation process, the Department will gather your views to present an outcomes paper to the Minister that articulates a proposed program operating environment for her consideration.
Please take the time to contribute to the development of a program where children and families can benefit from more coordinated and responsive services and be better equipped to manage life challenges in the future.
Glenys Beauchamp
Deputy Secretary
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs
22 May 2009
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