Department for Family and Children’S Services
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Department for Family and Children’s Services Annual Report 2000/2001 Contents Letter to the In this report 1 Foreword from the Director General 2 Minister Portfolio agencies 4 c Portfolio structure and management 6 The Hon Sheila M Hale MLA Summary of portfolio outcomes, Minister for Community Development, outputs, achievements 2000/2001 Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth; and future directions 2001/2002 8 Disability Services; Culture and the Arts Population trends and issues 17 12th Floor Dumas House Human resources 19 2 Havelock Street Corporate governance 22 West Perth WA 6005 Family and Children’s Services 25 Customer profile 26 Ways of working 27 Dear Minister Responding to customers 33 Report on outputs 36 On behalf of the Department for Family and Children’s Family & Children’s Policy Office 50 Services and in accordance with section 62 of the Financial Customer profile 51 Administration and Audit Act 1985, I have pleasure in Ways of working 51 submitting for your information and presentation to Report on output 52 Parliament the Annual Report of the Department for Family Office of Seniors Interests 55 and Children’s Services for the financial year ended Customer profile 56 30 June 2001. Ways of working 57 Report on output 60 The report has been prepared in accordance with provisions Women’s Policy Office 62 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985. Customer profile 63 Ways of working 64 Report on output 66 Office of Youth Affairs 70 Customer profile 71 Ways of working 71 Jane Brazier Report on outputs 72 Accountable Officer Output based management 31 August 2001 measures 78 Performance indicators 85 Financial statements 107 Appendices 1 Acts administered by other authorities 133 2 Office locations 134 3 Funded services 2000/2001 138 4 Advisory committees 146 5 Sponsors 151 6 Awards 153 7 Publications 157 8 Evaluations and research 160 projects List of figures 163 In this report This 2000/2001 annual report presents the year’s work within the Department for Family and Children’s Services. It covers the work of the five agencies namely Family and Children’s Services, Family & Children’s Policy Office, Office of Seniors Interests, Women’s Policy Office and as of 9 March 2001 the Office of Youth Affairs. The terms ‘Department for Family and Children’s Services’, ‘Department’ and ‘portfolio’ are used in this report to refer to the five agencies as a whole. Individual agencies are referred to by their individual names as well as ‘department’ for Family and Children’s Services and ‘office’ for the other four agencies. Directory Family and Children’s Services Office of Seniors Interests (central office) 4th Floor May Holman Centre 189 Royal Street 32 St Georges Terrace East Perth WA 6004 Perth WA 6000 Tel (08) 9222 2555 Tel (08) 9220 1111 Tel 1800 622 258 (freecall STD) Fax (08) 9221 2247 Fax (08) 9222 2776 Seniors Telephone Information Service TTY (08) 9325 1232 1800 671 233 (freecall STD) Website www.fcs.wa.gov.au 1800 555 677 (National Relay Service and TTY) Website www.osi.wa.gov.au Family & Children’s Policy Office Level 13 Dumas House Women’s Policy Office 2 Havelock Street 1st Floor Hartley Poynton Building West Perth WA 6005 141 St Georges Terrace Tel (08) 9322 8922 Perth WA 6000 Tel 1800 100 205 (freecall STD) Tel (08) 9264 1920 Fax (08) 9322 8983 Fax (08) 9264 1925 TTY (08) 9321 7608 Women’s Information Service Website www.familyone.wa.gov.au Tel/TTY (08) 9264 1900 1800 199 174 (freecall STD and TTY) Websites www.wa.gov.au/wpdo www.freedomfromfear.wa.gov.au Office of Youth Affairs 7th Floor Albert Facey House 469 Wellington Street Perth WA 6000 Tel (08) 9476 2000 Fax (08) 9322 6544 Websites www.youthaffairs.wa.gov.au www.dotu.wa.gov.au www.cadetswa.wa.gov.au Department for Family and Children’s Services—Annual Report 2000/2001 1 Foreword from the Director General This is the final report for the Department for Family Through the Family & Children’s Policy Office the and Children’s Services. FamilyOne ambassador scheme was launched. High profile community leaders pledged to support the The Department was renamed the Department for FamilyOne business strategy as role models to others. Community Development on 1 July 2001 as a result of recommendations made by the machinery of The Office of Seniors Interests coordinated across a government taskforce. range of state government agencies the development of a comprehensive concessions package for seniors. The package will come into effect in the new Cooperation and collaboration financial year and provide an additional $10 million in state government concessions. Cooperation and collaboration have again been priority areas for the portfolio, in particular engaging In response to community need, the Women’s Policy the community and working across government. Office developed an information kit to help young women make informed decisions about issues The signing of the Supported Accommodation impacting on their financial independence. Assistance Program (SAAP) IV agreement in FYI: female, young and independent involved June 2001 confirmed the continuing partnership until considerable collaboration across government and 2005 between the state and commonwealth community organisations. governments on the provision of support through this program to people who are homeless or at risk of In support of young people throughout Western homelessness. Australia, the Office of Youth Affairs worked in partnership with an array of state government Through the Building Blocks initiative two home agencies to develop Action: A State Government Plan visiting programs were established during the year. for Young People, 2000-2003. A cooperative program between the Health Department and Family and Children’s Services, Building Blocks services are based on the most recent Volunteering international findings in the area of early childhood development. Volunteers continued to play a major role across the portfolio. Over 600 people volunteered their time, Strong Families, an initiative developed by Safer WA skills and expertise to support services delivered by to bring about better outcomes for families, was the Department. In addition many staff, like others in implemented during the year. The pilot program the community, volunteered to work for organisations promoted the streamlining and coordination of in a wide range of roles. government services to families at risk of experiencing difficulties. In recognition of the International Year of Volunteers 2001, a special ‘Valuing Volunteers’ category was Creating Connections 2000-2005, a five year plan for included in the Community Services Industry Awards families and communities in Western Australia, 2001. This category will recognise best practice in forged new partnerships between government managing programs or services delivered to the agencies, local government authorities, community community by volunteers when it is awarded in and business organisations. November 2001. 2 Department for Family and Children’s Services—Annual Report 2000/2001 Future directions The creation of the new Department for Community Development will reflect the government’s vision to improve the social wellbeing of Western Australians. Greater emphasis will be placed on developing the capacity of individuals, families and communities to shape their own lives positively. This will be facilitated by effective collaboration within government, building networks and developing partnerships with local government, the community and business sectors. This policy shift is the government’s response to complex social issues which are emerging not only in this state but throughout Australia and the developed world. I look forward to working with staff and the wider community over the next year to make this vision a reality. We have an exciting opportunity to make a valuable difference to the quality of life in Western Australia. Jane Brazier 31 August 2001 Department for Family and Children’s Services—Annual Report 2000/2001 3 Portfolio agencies Family and Children’s Services The prime responsibilities of Family and Children’s Services are to promote responsibility and growth in family and community life, and to contribute to the care and protection of those children who are unable to be cared for by their families or other guardians. The department provides a range of services from those designed to meet the specific needs of vulnerable families and children to those which benefit the whole community. The department provides services directly as well as through purchasing services from the not for profit sector. Family & Children’s Policy Office A key function of the Family & Children’s Policy Office is to develop strategies to improve the quality of life and promote the interests of all Western Australian families and children. This is achieved through alliances with government agencies, businesses and the community to facilitate development and implementation of projects to improve the wellbeing of families and children. The office provides executive support to the Family & Children’s Advisory Council. Office of Seniors Interests The Office of Seniors Interests is a specialist policy, research and communications office, the primary focus of which is Western Australian seniors (people aged 60 years and over). The office also works with future seniors (the baby boomers, people aged 45 years plus) to identify their needs and help government and the community plan to meet these emerging needs. The office works across government and the community as a catalyst for change, a knowledge networker, ideas broker, enabler and advocate for older people. Key functions include developing policy including advice to government; research, analysis and evaluation; providing services such as the Seniors Card; funding non government organisations to provide services to improve the quality of life of older people; and community education and consumer advocacy. 4 Department for Family and Children’s Services—Annual Report 2000/2001 Women’s Policy Office The Women’s Policy Office provides advice, analysis, coordination, policy development and implementation on a broad range of matters affecting the status of women in Western Australia.