2017-2018 TERRITORY FAMILIES ANNUAL REPORT z How to Contact Us Mail PO Box 37037 WINNELLIE NT 0821 PO Box 1352 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 PO Box 1035 KATHERINE NT 0851 PO Box 758 NHULUNBUY NT 0881 PO Box 617 TENNANT CREEK NT 0861 www.territoryfamilies.nt.gov.au Phone Child Protection hotline 1800 700 250 Complaints and feedback 1800 750 167 [email protected] Adoptions (08) 8922 5519 Foster Care Recruitment hotline 1800 814 599 Information Sharing 1800 288 424 Media 0475 953 571 [email protected] Territory Families Offices Alice Springs (08) 8955 6001 Arafura (08) 8922 8474 Arnhem (08) 8987 0400 Barkly (08) 8962 4334 Casuarina (08) 8922 7111 Darwin City (08) 8999 2737 Katherine (08) 8973 8600 Palmerston (08) 8999 4789 z The Honourable Dale Wakefield MLA Chief Executive Officer Minister for Territory Families Level 7, Darwin Plaza Parliament House 41 Smith Street Mall DARWIN NT 0800 DARWIN NT 0800 T 08 8999 2737 F 08 8999 2833 E [email protected] Dear Minister Territory Families 2017–18 Annual Report In accordance with the provisions of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act, I am pleased to submit to you the Territory Families 2017–18 Annual Report. Pursuant to the Public Sector Employment and Management Act, the Financial Management Act and the Information Act, I advise that, to the best of my knowledge and belief: a. proper records of all transactions affecting the agency are kept and that the agency’s employees observe the provisions of the Financial Management Act, the Financial Management Regulations and the Treasurer’s Directions b. agency procedures provide proper internal control, and a current description of those procedures is recorded in the Accounting and Property Manual, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Management Act c. no indication of fraud, malpractice, major breach of legislation or delegation, major error in or omission from the accounts and records exists d. in accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of the Financial Management Act, the internal audit capacity available to the agency is adequate and the results of internal audits have been reported e. the financial statements in this annual report have been prepared from proper accounts and records and are in accordance with the Treasurer’s Directions f. in accordance with the requirements of Section 28 of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act, all public sector principles have been upheld g. with respect to my responsibilities under Section 131 of the Information Act, procedures within the agency complied with the archives and records management provisions prescribed in Part 9 of the Information Act. Yours sincerely Ken Davies Chief Executive Officer September 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Chief Executive Officer................................................................................1 PART 1 - Territory Families.............................................................................................................3 Functions and Objectives of Territory Families...................................................................4 Agency Structure........................................................................................................................5 Our Regional Focus....................................................................................................................6 01 Our Strategic Plan......................................................................................................................7 Our Values...................................................................................................................................8 Our Principles.............................................................................................................................9 Key Events.................................................................................................................................10 Our People................................................................................................................................12 Our Workforce.........................................................................................................................14 Our Leadership.........................................................................................................................15 Year at a Glance........................................................................................................................16 PART 2 – 2017-18 Performance..............................................................................................18 Provide early support to children, young people and families.....................................19 02 Safeguard the wellbeing of children, young people, families and the community...........24 Partner to empower change.................................................................................................38 Encourage and celebrate inclusive, diverse and connected communities.................44 Ensure the structures, systems and legislation support our vision..............................52 Value and invest in our people.............................................................................................68 Reform Management..............................................................................................................78 PART 3 – Financial Performance...............................................................................................80 The Budget................................................................................................................................81 EOFY Financial Statements...................................................................................................90 03 Appendix: Funding to external partners...............................................................128 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER The past year has been a productive time for Territory This report is a reflection and acknowledgement of Families and we have achieved many of the goals we the progress that has been made by our Agency as set for ourselves. This report provides an account of our we undertake comprehensive reform of our child activities and financial performance for the year 1 July protection and youth justice systems, following the 2017 to 30 June 2018. recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory Families is now a well-established Agency with Territory. Territory Families is proud to host the a strong and contemporary outlook that brings together Reform Management Office which coordinates the a range of policy, advocacy and frontline service delivery Northern Territory Government’s response to the Royal functions. Our role is to support the delivery of care Commission’s recommendations through the Safe, and protection services for children and young people Thriving and Connected Implementation Plan. through enhanced family support and youth justice services which provide alternative pathways to break the We are changing the way we work to support families cycle of re-offending. and communities to protect and care for their children before reaching crisis point, by ensuring they have access We are investing in the most vulnerable children, to the appropriate advice and assistance. In 2018, this particularly in the early years to enable positive outcomes. aim was supported through the launch of the Family We are investing in families to give them the best chance and Children’s Enquiry and Support (FACES) hotline. We of turning a difficult situation around and investing in have boosted the delivery of youth activities and after- an evidence based youth justice system that empowers hours services, established coordinator positions in Alice young people to make good choices. Springs, Palmerston and Tennant Creek. We are working on establishing new positions in Katherine and Darwin, We continue to support the Northern Territory with a focus on the northern suburbs and Tennant Creek multicultural community by providing funding to ensure a coordinated and planned approach to the opportunities through the Multicultural Grants Program delivery of youth activities and after-hours services. and we are making a difference to the wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 25 years through initiatives Territory Families knows that success relies on working that include school holiday programs funding and NT in partnership with Aboriginal and non-government Youth Week activities. organisations and communities. Aboriginal children are vastly over-represented in both out-of-home care We are listening to senior Territorians and have provided and youth detention. The leadership and expertise an improved concession scheme that assists with the of Aboriginal organisations and communities will be cost of living in the NT. We are fostering more inclusive required at all levels of this reform, including through communities through projects that progress key reforms the tripartite forum between the Northern Territory, the and administer grants and scholarships to provide Australian Government and Aboriginal organisations. equal opportunities for all Territorians to reach their full potential. We are overhauling our case management system and investing in new technology for Territory Families staff This Agency is leading the way in the reduction of to increase the time staff can spend with children and domestic, family and sexual violence