Reform Q&A

What was the Independent Review of Out of Home Care in NSW?

In November 2015, the NSW Government commissioned David Tune AO PSM to carry out an independent review of the out-of-home care system in NSW. The Review was commissioned in response to the growth in the out-of-home care population and continuing poor outcomes for our most vulnerable children and families.

The purpose of the Review was to:

• create a future vision and long-term strategy for out-of-home care in NSW
• understand the demand drivers, including the entry and exit pressures on the system
• propose solutions for the unsustainable growth in the number of children in out-of-home care and the out-of-home care budget
• understand the causes of overrepresentation, and poorer outcomes, of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care
• propose solutions to improve outcomes for these children and young people
• review the ongoing appropriateness of programs funded by the Keep Them Safe reforms.

What did the Review find?

The Independent Review concluded that despite significantly increased government expenditure, the number of children and young people in out-of-home care has doubled over the past 10 years and continues to increase. The system is failing to improve long-term outcomes for children and to stop the devastating cycles of intergenerational abuse and neglect. Outcomes are particularly poor for Aboriginal children, young people and families.

The drivers of demand for out-of-home care are complex – including socioeconomic disadvantage, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and mental health issues – and cut across the portfolio responsibilities of many agencies.

However, current expenditure is focused on programs that are provided within agency silos and are difficult for clients to navigate. Moreover, interventions are often neither evidence-based nor tailored to meet the multiple and diverse needs of vulnerable children and families.

The Review identified the following issues:

• The current system is not client-centred. It is designed around programs and service models instead of the needs of vulnerable people
• Affected children and families have needs that cross the boundaries of government agencies, which are failing to meet their complex needs
• The Department of Family & Community Services (FACS) holds primary accountability for very vulnerable families but has little influence over the drivers of vulnerability or the levers for change
• Expenditure is crisis driven, not well-aligned to the evidence and does not effectively target clients.

Why is this reform different?

Their Futures Matter is different to reforms attempted in the past in key aspects. The reform:

• applies an investment approach to service design and delivery to direct funding, effort and resources to those with the greatest needs, significantly reforming service delivery for vulnerable children and their families
• uses data to identify the most vulnerable groups to prioritise their specific needs
• employs evidence to ensure that children, young people and families are receiving the best possible services
• introduces child- and family-centred wrap-around support packages
• establishes a single commissioning entity responsible for driving the reform process
• aligns cross-government funding and resources to form a single view of the services a child, young person or family receives, with coordinated assistance driven by their needs.

What is the investment approach?

Their Futures Matter will implement an investment approach to direct and prioritise whole-of-government funding, resource allocation and service targeting.

The investment approach is built on whole-of-government data, best available evidence, outcomes monitoring and continuous improvement. The approach aims to improve life outcomes for vulnerable children and families in NSW. It will ensure that the efforts of Government are directed to areas of greatest need, with the services and resources required for the best outcomes for vulnerable people.

How will we support families to stay together?

These system reforms will be supported by increased investment in evidence-based services.

The NSW Government has committed to an increase in funding for services for vulnerable children and families, including an additional 900 places for families in intensive family preservation and restoration services, half of which are dedicated to Aboriginal families. These programs , with a proven track record of successful implementation elsewhere, improve long-term outcomes for families and provide a targeted and holistic response for:

• families with children at imminent risk of entering care
• families with children in care for whom restoration is identified as a case plan goal.

How can I find out more?

For more information about Their Futures Matter, sign up to our newsletter or email TheirFuturesMatter@facs.nsw.gov.au