Annual Report 1983-84 Wtlrar: SF^VICES Western I.'31 \Pv Australia T5 JUL 1937 1983 - 1984 , ™.403 Oxford St
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Western Australia Annual Report 1983-84 wtLrAR: SF^VICES Western I.'31 \pv Australia t5 JUL 1937 1983 - 1984 , ™.403 Oxford St., Department for Community Welfare Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1984 PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT Photo Front Cover - Youths participating in a Departmental Camping Activity. 1 THE HON. K.J. WILSON MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Sir: In accordance with Section 11 of the Community Welfare Act 1972-78, I hereby submit a report on the work of the Department for Community Welfare for the year ended 30th June, 1984 K.A. MAINE DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY WELFARE. APPRECIATION The thanks of the Department go to all Governmental and semi-Governmental bodies, religious and community organisations and individuals who, by their active participation or by their friendly support, have contributed in any way to the welfare of those for whom the Department has responsibility in the State of Western Australia. 3 CONTENTS Page APPRECIATION 3 INTRODUCTION 5 FIELD SERVICES 10 Metropolitan Field Services 10 Northern Country Field Services 15 Southern Country Field Services 22 Specialist Services 30 Adoptions 30 Adoptions — International 31 Family and Substitute Care Unit 32 Community Based Offenders Programme (inc. Children's Suspended Proceedings Panel) 33 Children's Protection Service 37 Early Childhood Service 39 Family Court Counselling and Welfare Service 42 Aboriginal Accommodation Service 43 Homemaker Service 44 Parent Help Centre 45 Student Unit 46 Emergency Services 46 Youth Activity Services 47 Hostels 48 Crisis Care Unit 49 INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES 52 Longmore Remand and Assessment Centre 53 Longmore Training Centre 54 Riverbank 55 Nyandi 56 McCall Centre 58 Koorana 60 Community Support Hostels 61 SUPPORT SERVICES 62 Financial Statement 63 Financial Statement from Auditor General 63 Maintenance and Relief Branch 65 Planning and Research Unit 67 Legal Section 68 Community Services Training Centre (Inc. Staff Selection and Training) 70 Welfare Services Library 72 Metropolitan Children's Court 72 Psychology Branch 74 Property Section 75 Catering 75 Records 75 Personnel and Staff 76 Computer Services Section 76 STATISTICS Index 77 4 INTRODUCTION The financial year 1983/84 has been one of review and The working party was established as a result of the vital preparation for change. Most importantly the Welfare need for co-operative efforts of both the government and and Community Services Review, the Seaman Land private sectors in order to achieve an effective range of Inquiry, the Parliamentary Select Committee into supports to low income families in the community who Adoption Legislation Amendments Bill 1983. the review are at risk through financial stress. of Juvenile Justice Practices within the Department by Doctor David Thorpe, together with a government With the Working Party still to complete its task, its initiated review into the delivery of emergency financial interim deliberations have already begun to influence aid, have contributed to this very busy year for the financial assistance provisions within the State. The Department. concessional model of assistance, whereby support is provided according to set criteria rather than by In September 1983, the Hon. Minister for Community discretionary process, is but one issue to receive Welfare, Mr. Keith Wilson, instituted the establishment attention. of the Welfare and Community Services Review, the purpose of which was to review the State's welfare Whilst the above and other reviews have been in policies. progress, the dynamic aspect of a large welfare organisation has continued to be evident. Changes have The terms of reference of the Welfare and Community occured in the Department's Field Services, particularly Services Review are:— in relation to the delivery of the services. The demand for Departmental services evident over the past few 11 To study and report upon the nature and adequacy years has continued. In an effort to cope with demands of welfare policies and practices in Western Australia and to maintain available services, many Divisions have with special reference to the structure and mode of adopted a team approach with some specialisation to the operation of the Department for Community handle work flow. This has been well accepted and has Welfare services. generally proved to be a most successful approach. 2) To identify priority areas of welfare policy and A major change in direction of dealing with young service delivery and recommend appropriate offenders has been establishment of the Community measures for their development in the future (to the Based Offenders Programme, designed to promote an end of the eighties). alternative method of dealing with offenders to that of institutionalization. 3) To consider the role and functions of Government and non-government organisations in the welfare Following on from the recommendations of the field in Western Australia and recommend how their Edwards' Report on "The Treatment of Juvenile respective contributions could be enhanced. Offenders", practices relating to the admission and discharge of children from institutions are now 4) To advise the Minister of any other related matters substantially governed by two principles put forward in arising from or having relevance to the above terms the Edwards Report, namely:— of reference. An Advisory Board to the Review consisting of twelve 1) Offenders and non-offenders should be clearly and members, chaired by Bishop Michael Challen. released completely separated and dealt with separately. in May its First Report of the Review which dealt with aspects of that term of reference dealing with the 2) The Children's Courts (and not the Department) organisational structure of the Department for should determine whether children found guilty of Community Welfare. The Final Report which will deal offences should be detained in custody. with all Terms of Reference will be presented to the Government in September 1984. and will make wide range recommendations to the Government concerning The change in practice was initiated in a move towards welfare policies and service delivery. Information has a more justice oriented model, largely based on the need been collected from nearly two and a half thousand to safeguard the rights of children against inappropriate persons, tapping a broad range of community opinion. detention. Another major undertaking this year was the Changes in Institutional Services over the past year have establishment of a Working Party with both seen the closure of three institutions and the provision Government and voluntary sector representation, to of residential care for children by the "Community review matters relating to the administration and Support Hostels" system which now comprises seven distribution of State concessions and emergency decentralised hostels with administrative services based financial aid. at Bridgewater. 5 It has been a very difficult year for staff with the prevailed during this time. While work loads and implementation of new initiatives, and concerns over pressures have risen and we have all felt the added possible changes to services resulting from the many exposure to external examination and criticism, we have inquiries into existing policies and practices. nevertheless maintained a most positive motivation towards improvements and the desire to contribute It is to the credit of staff that in coping with the towards the teamwork that is essential, if good ideas are uncertainties of the past year, they have continued to to be turned into better programmes and services in the provide dedicated service and co-operation in future. introducing various changes and new initiatives. To all. I express my gratitude for a job well done. I also wish to compliment Departmental officers for their personal K.A. Maine contribution to the high level of morale that has Director 6 Guide to the Department THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR SPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES MAGISTRATES TRAINING CENTRE WELFARE SERVICES LIBRARY INTERNAL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AUDIT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SUPPORT SERVICES INSTITUTIONAL FIELD SERVICES SERVICES SUPPORT ADMINISTRATION CHIEF OF INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES SERVICES DEPUTY CHIEF OF INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES CHIEF OF WELFARE CHIEF OF WELFARE SERVICES SERVICES INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES SPECIALIST FIELD SERVICES SERVICES 7 Divisional and District Offices of The Department for Community Welfare Key • Divisional Offices • District Offices Divisional Boundary Metropolitan^-' \ nNarrogin Offices Bunburyy* OCollie Perth r>/ \g Midland Busselton Gnowangerup • Belmont Fremantle Mirrabooka 200 kms Rockingham CnTith^"^ Albany J Innaloo (Waneroo) 2>OUin Victoria Park (Gosnells) West Division Guide to Field Services ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FIELD SERVICES CHIEF OF WELFARE SERVICES CHIEF OF WELFARE SERVICES DIVISIONS SPECIALIST PRINCIPAL SOCTAL PRINCIPAL SOCIAL PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WORKER WORKER SUPERINTENDENT WORKER COUNSELLING EARLY PARENT PARENT ABORIGINAL HOSTELS AND WELFARE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HELP ACCOM. — METRO NORTHERN SOUTHERN FAMILY COURT SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE CENTRE SERVICE I I PROJECT INNALOO DIVISION WANNEROO MURC H1SON DIVISION GREAT SOUTHERN DIVISION CH1LDRENS CRISIS STAFF COMMUNITY BASED - PERTH DIVISION PANEL CARE SELECTION OFFENDERS — P1I.BARA DIVISION — CENTRAL DIVISION UNIT AND TRAINING PROGRAMME VICTORIA PARK DIVISION EAST K1MBER1.EY GOLDFTELDS CiOSNELLS DIVISION DIVISION • SOUTH WEST •—WEST K1MBERLEY DIVISION DIVISION MIDLAND'