The Helping Out Families initiative is aimed at strengthening services in the community to respond more effectively and earlier to families who are in need of support.
The initiative includes the establishment of new services, as well as providing additional funding to existing organisations that support children, young people and their families.
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How will it work?
A key component of the initiative is the new Family Support Alliance service.
The Family Support Alliance service is a local non-government organisation that will receive referrals from Child Safety Services and engage with families to identify their strengths, needs and level of support they require.
The Family Support Alliance service will then refer families (with their consent) to the most appropriate service/s based on their identified needs.
These services form part of an Alliance of services who will work together to ensure that families receive the support they need.
What is the role of the Family Support Alliance service?
Three Family Support Alliance services have been established in:
- Eagleby/Nerang/Beenleigh
- Logan
- Gold Coast (31 January 2011).
The Family Support Alliance services work in collaboration with other service providers under a shared practice framework to ensure consistency in identifying and responding to the needs of referred children, young people and their families.
Participation with the Family Support Alliance service is voluntary. Referred families will be contacted to provide their consent to participate before the Family Support Alliance service will engage with them to identify their needs and refer them to the most appropriate service/s.
What is the role of the Intensive Family Support services?
If the family has more than one need they would like assistance with, they may be referred to a non-government organisation called the Intensive Family Support Service.
The Intensive Family Support services will operate in three locations and receive referrals from Family Support Alliance services, Department of Education and Training, Queensland Health, Queensland Police Service and other non-government agencies.
The Intensive Family Support services will provide the following types of support:
- practical in-home support, such as assistance with parenting, home management, budgeting, meal preparation and life management skills
- individual and family counselling
- referrals for families to specialist services, when required.
Child Safety Services contact information
If you suspect a child is experiencing harm, contact Child Safety Services to report suspected child abuse.
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