New Contracts Boost Aboriginal-Led Family Support

• 18contracts awarded to deliver Family Support Network and Intensive Family Support Services across Western Australia
• Services will support families at risk of involvement with the child protection system
• Aboriginal-led and Aboriginal-partnered services will ensure children remain connected to country, community and culture
• Part of the State Government's ongoing commitment to earlier intervention and prevention to keep children and young people safe at home

The State Government has announced new Earlier Intervention and Family Support (EIFS) programs across Western Australia - delivering a record level of Aboriginal-led support for children and families.

Eighteen new contracts have been awarded to deliver the Family Support Network (FSN) and the Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) programs to support children and families at risk of involvement or involved with the child protection system.

The programs are being delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) or in partnership with an ACCO to provide culturally responsive services that prioritise the needs of Aboriginal families.

The FSN provides two streams of support for families across the Perth metro area, including assessment and co-ordination and intensive case management.

The IFSS is an intensive in-home support service operating in metropolitan and regional locations including the Perth metropolitan area, Goldfields, Great Southern, Mid West/Gascoyne, West Kimberley and the Wheatbelt.

The new FSN and IFSS contracts complete the recommissioning of the State Government's EIFS programs to ensure ACCOs are at the centre of the programs to deliver culturally appropriate services.

The recommissioned programs are in addition to the Aboriginal In-Home Support Service, which provides support for Aboriginal families across the Perth metro area to keep children and young people safely at home with family, returned safely to family, and connected to Country, culture and community.

All four programs are being delivered by the State Government in partnership with the community services sector under the Earlier Intervention and Family Support Strategy.

The programs are a key part of the State Government's commitment to earlier intervention and prevention to keep children out of the child protection system and safe at home.

The new contracts build on the State Government's commitment to supporting ACCO-led service delivery of Earlier Intervention and Family Support Services, in line with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

As stated by Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski:

"Today's announcement means there will be more Aboriginal organisations delivering important family support services in WA than ever before.

"This represents a major step forward in the State Government's early intervention approach - ensuring Aboriginal leadership is at the heart of our work to keep children safely at home.

"We know we deliver the best outcomes for Aboriginal children and families with ACCO-led and ACCO-partnered services.

"The Cook Labor Government has invested more than ever in child protection to support Western Australia's most vulnerable children and young people.

"We are committed to providing a culturally safe, responsive system that works together to support vulnerable families and prevent child protection involvement."

Family Support Network contracts:

Intensive Family Support Services contracts: