Developing a Family Support Program
Consultation context
Important contextual information
In undertaking the consultation process, it is important that the current context from which the FSP is being implemented is recognised.
Key points to note are:
- The Government has provided a two year period, to June 2011, to transition to the FSP. This acknowledges that changing the different business rules currently applying to the three core service streams in respect of funding, standards of operation, data collection, reporting obligations and catchment areas will take time.
- FSP services are part of a wider service system that clients experience that connects with services funded by state, territory and local governments and the community sector. Developing a strong collaborative relationship across all sectors and levels of government will be important to establishing better service connections at the local level.
- The community sector and all levels of government benefit by working together to support children and families and bring a range of different strengths. There are however challenges in this relationship which should be acknowledged so that they can be addressed in program design and through processes such as the National Compact.
- The program is and will continue to be built on evidence around service delivery coming through independent research and evaluations such as the Evaluation of the New Family Law Reforms, National Evaluation of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy, and the Stronger Families in Australia Study, as well as information collected from providers on individual services.
- An overarching FSP Outcomes Framework with identified and measurable short, intermediate and long term outcomes will be developed building on current good practice and in consultation with the FSP sector.
- The Attorney-General’s Department has policy responsibility for the family law system, including Post Separation Services and Family Relationship Centres, to support the Government’s family law policy goals.
- With the current tight fiscal environment, the consultation is concerned with ideas and ways to better use existing resources.
- Streamlining Government administrative requirements and reducing red-tape through initiatives such implementing a common business model for reporting and performance will enable providers to have more time and resources to focus on service delivery for clients.
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