Coordinated Early Intervention Services
The Family Support Network is a key component of the Earlier Intervention and Family Support (EIFS) suite of programs which are provided by the Department of Communities in partnership with the community sector. These programs aim to meet the needs of families facing complex challenges and those most at risk of involvement with the child protection system.
The Family Support Network (FSN) model operates in four corridors across the metropolitan area:
- Cannington/Armadale
- Perth/Midland
- Mirrabooka/Joondalup
- Fremantle/Rockingham
FSNs are either led by or delivered in partnership with an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) to ensure culturally secure services prioritise the needs of Aboriginal families. They work with families to identify and improve their cultural needs and include natural support networks and wider community links that encourage and assist families to thrive in their communities.
FSNs are designed to help families by:
- Identifying needs and goals to support parenting skills to safely care for their children at home
- Receiving an integrated and coordinated service response to divert them from the child protection system
- Developing and strengthening culturally safe support networks
The FSN service model has two streams: Assessment and Coordination; and Intensive Case Management.
Assessment and Coordination referrals are accepted from Communities, other state government agencies, FSN lead and partner agencies, non-partner agencies in the community and directly from families themselves. Parents, carers and young people can self-refer.
Intensive Case Management referrals are made by Communities for families who require intensive support to keep their children safely at home. This stream prioritises Aboriginal families and children.
The FSN model operates through the following lead and partnership agencies.
Communicare Group Ltd in partnership with Langford Aboriginal Association Inc and Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation
Parkerville Children and Youth Care Inc in partnership with Koya Aboriginal Corporation (Koya)
Background
Western Australia’s first Family Support Network (FSN) began in December 2011. The service included an FSN lead agency and partner agencies that provided integrated and coordinated secondary family support services to improve outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and families, and prevent the need for child protection intervention.
In 2016, the Building Safe and Strong Families: Earlier Intervention and Family Support (EIFS) Strategy (PDF, 6.93MB) was released. The EIFS Strategy provides the framework for a coordinated response between the Department of Communities, other state government agencies and the community services sector, to provide earlier intervention and support for families facing complex challenges and those most at risk of involvement with the child protection system.
The EIFS Strategy also aims to respond to the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, through the delivery of intensive, coordinated, culturally safe and responsive services to support vulnerable Aboriginal families to keep their children safely at home, or to support families to reunify safely with their children.
The FSN program is a key component of the EIFS Strategy.
The EIFS suite of programs provide services and supports for families with differing levels of complexity and need. The EIFS programs have been designed to complement each other and deliver a range of services for families across the spectrum of their family support needs, and within a particular geographic location.
More information about the EIFS Strategy can be found at here.
The FSN model operates through the following lead and partnership agencies.
Communicare Group Ltd in partnership with Langford Aboriginal Association Inc and Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation
Parkerville Children and Youth Care Inc in partnership with Koya Aboriginal Corporation (Koya)