1 Family and Child Connect Service - a strategic and practical perspective Presenter: Erica Russ QCEC Student Protection In-Service Day, Friday 15 May 2015

2 Agenda Transition to independence for young people in care Introduction of Family and Child Connect Strengthening Families Protecting Children Framework for Practice Introduction and expansion of intensive family support services

3 Stronger Families Reform Program aims to build a new child and family support system that will have a greater focus on supporting families to provide a safe and secure home for their children.

4 19 January amendments to Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) came into force, allowing particular prescribed entities to share information about children with service providers 19 January first seven Family and Child Connect services commenced operations Expanded intensive family support services to support roll out of Family and Child Connect Family and Child Connect 4

5 Family and Child Connect catchments July 2015 Browns Plains/ Beaudesert Rockhampton/ Gladstone/ Emerald Moreton Bay Ipswich Maryborough/ Bundaberg Kingaroy Jan 2015 Toowoomba Roma Sunshine Coast (incl Gympie) Townsville Gold Coast Logan Beenleigh/ Bayside 2016 Mackay Cairns Mt Isa/Gulf Cape York/ Torres Strait Brisbane North Brisbane South Brisbane South West

6 Local level alliances (LLA) Family and Child Connect also leads local-level alliances of government and non- government services within the community to ensure vulnerable children and their families receive the right mix of services at the right time.

7 Implementation of reforms – Family and Child Connect, and legislative changes Information sessions delivered with external stakeholders (including education) Train-the-trainer sessions delivered to partner agencies – key staff then trained internally Online and hard copy resources developed to inform the general public and professionals of this new pathway 7

8 Referrals to Family and Child Connect 19 Jan – 31 Mar 2015 FaCC Source Child Safety – RIS Child Safety – CSSC Education Health Police Other Other govt agency Self-referral Total Beenleigh Bayside Gold Coast Logan Roma Sunshine Coast Toowoomba Townsville Total

9 Early learnings from Family and Child Connect referrals Referrals and referrer behaviour –Concept of multiple and/or complex needs –Information sharing –Enabling referrers –Understanding of ‘new’ service 9

10 Impact of implementation on education Target audience: students enrolled in state schools students enrolled in non-state schools 77,482 teaching and non-teaching staff in state schools teaching staff in non-state schools. Positive feedback Issues arising Meeting program intent of Family and Child Connect and expanded intensive family support services 10

11 Intensive secondary family support services Significant investment in to roll out improved and expanded family support and domestic and family violence services state-wide Aimed at families who are likely to require statutory involvement if support is not provided Reduced demand for statutory child protection services will be seen in approximately five years

12 Referrals to intensive family support services 19 Jan – 31 Mar 2015 IFS service Source Child Safety – RIS Child Safety – CSSC FaCC Education Health Police DFV service Other govt or NGO agency Self-referral Total Beenleigh Bayside Gold Coast Logan Roma Sunshine Coast Toowoomba Townsville Total

13 How things are working on the ground?

14 Strengthening Families Protecting Children Framework for Practice

15 Transitioning to independence Next Step After Care services Supporting young people transitioning to independence from care – able to be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling or texting 1800 NextStep ( ), or visiting the Next Step After Care website Next Step After Care Sortli a free mobile app for young people to help them with their transition to independence.

16 Resources families/resourceshttp:// families/resources children/how-to-prevent-abuse/family-and-child-connectwww.communities.qld.gov.au children/how-to-prevent-abuse/family-and-child-connect -government-partners/queensland-child-protection-guidehttps:// -government-partners/queensland-child-protection-guide

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