South West Sydney Family Referral Service

1. South West Sydney Family Referral Service The Final Frontier: A collaborative approach to child protection in NSW

2. Background • Keep Them Safe – NSW Govt response to Wood Royal Commission • The Key Recommendation – The establishment of regional intake and referral services to support families, children and young people who fall below the statutory threshold. South West Sydney Referral Service

3. Whatis a FRS • A single point of entry to improve access to services for children, young people and families • Initial needs assessment for a young person or family to identify the most appropriate response • Sustained contact to improve the success of referrals • ‘Active Holding Response’ South West Sydney Referral Service

4. The Pilot Project • Recommendation from the Wood Report proposed that Child Protection Case Workers be placed in FRS to assist with above ROSH cases where children and young people are assessed as being in need of a response in less than 10 days. • The Pilot commenced on July 1st 2013. The geographic reach is the same that covered by Campbelltown CSC: Wollondilly; Camden and southern Campbelltown (Leumeah – Glen Alpine) South West Sydney Referral Service

5. Referral Process South West Sydney Referral Service

6. Referral Process South West Sydney Referral Service

7. `The Figures to Date… South West Sydney Referral Service • From July 1st 2013 – February 28th 2014, 139 families referred by Campbelltown CSC to SWS FRS • The Source of referrals: • 84 referrals were accepted into the Pilot • 46 referrals declined by the FRS due to lack of capacity 9 families were unable to be engaged • 8 referrals are pending engagement • 8 referrals were escalated and were closed by the FRS and returned to the CSC for further action

8. Collaborative Approach THE PILOT : • Aims to provide a link to access and reconnect families in their communities • Involves placing a Community Services Case Worker who sits at the FRS. • Has demanded considerable adjustments to be made on both sides and is a unique collaboration. • Assists families who may have not received an intervention. South West Sydney Referral Service

9. FRS Perspective on the pilot • To make this work we have had to respect each other’s roles and expertise • FRS has access to better quality information -via CS worker accessing KIDS • Different perspectives • FRS is a voluntary program and families can decline support, where as FACS is mandated. • Greater chances families will be more open to a voluntary service than ‘DOCS’ South West Sydney Referral Service

10. Pilot’s Strengths • Families who come through the CP pilot into the FRS, traditionally would have fallen through the service system gaps. • Educating families on the role of FACS can take away the “stigma” – it’s a softer response to addressing child protection issues with families. • If a family chooses not to engage with the FRS, the referral is sent back to CS where a decision ismade on whether to escalate the matter; with non pilot referrals if the family chooses not to engage there is no follow up. • It gives families opportunity to learn about the services and supports available to them and they can self refer into the FRS at any time. • 88% successful engagement rate South West Sydney Referral Service

11. Summary • In partnership the FRS, Community Services and the family are able to explore the whole picture and determine a referral plan that has the greatest potential to prevent the family’s situation escalating and requiring a statutory response. • It gives families opportunities to learn about the services and supports available to them; there are positive outcomes for families who may have otherwise fallen through the gaps of the service system. South West Sydney Referral Service

12. South West Sydney Family Referral Service 1300 244 826