The NSW Premier commissions David Tune AO PSM to carry out an independent review of the out-of-home care system in NSW.

The 2015 Independent Review of Out of Home Care (the review) found the system to be ineffective and unsustainable, failing to improve long-term outcomes for children or to arrest the devastating cycles of intergenerational abuse and neglect.

Mr Tune delivers the Final Report of the Independent Review of Out of Home Care in New South Wales.

The report outlines a vision for a whole-of-system reform to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people and families experiencing vulnerability.

This recommendation was approved by Cabinet and led to the establishment of Their Futures Matter.

Cabinet approves:

1. The introduction of child and family-focused cohort support packages.
2. The establishment of a single commissioning entity within FACS to direct and prioritise resource allocation and drive the reform.
3. The adoption of an investment approach to guide investment, target responses and ensure an evidence-focused system.

The NSW Government release their response to the Tune Review – Their Futures Matter: A new approach

Their Futures Matter Implementation Unit established

First meeting of the Their Futures Matter Implementation Board

Launch of MST-CAN® and FFT-CW® family preservation and restoration programs

Launch of LINKS Trauma Healing Service, a trauma-focused, evidence-based support program for children and young people in out-of-home care to decrease trauma symptoms, improve psychological wellbeing and improve behavioural and emotional functioning.

Launch of the first wraparound service solution for children under 12 years in residential out-of-home care

The 1^st Their Futures Matter Conference: Collaborating for Change is held in Sydney, bring together over 450 people from across the sector. Speakers included Dame Paula Rebstock DNZM, Chair of New Zealand Vulnerable Children’s Board, Michael Coutts-Trotter, Chair of the TFM Implementation Board and Secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services, and Kate Alexander, Executive Director, Office of the Senior Practitioner.

Launch of Aboriginal Evidence Building in Partnership project, an initiative to support promising Aboriginal programs to embed data collection mechanisms and evidence building capabilities within their organisations

Launch of Thriving Families NSW, an outcomes-based wraparound service solution designed to support young parents aged 25 and under experiencing vulnerabilities, and their children aged 0-5

Launch of A Place to Go, an outcomes-based wraparound service solution designed to support children aged 10-17 entering and exiting the juvenile justice system, with a focus on children and young people in remand

Detailed design commences for Futures Planning and Support, a tiered model of support for young people 17–24 years who have been in out-of-home care

A high-level conceptual framework completed for the access system redesign, including key design features and a strategic business case

Launch of Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO), a treatment program delivering an alternative to institutional, residential and group care placements for children and young people in OOHC with severe emotional and behavioural disorders.

Launch of OurSPACE, a support service for children and young people aged under 15, who are in statutory kinship care or foster care, and whose placements are unstable

Delivery of TFM Human Services Data Set, the largest human services cross-agency data set ever assembled in NSW, comprising 7 million anonymous service records from over 27 years, compiled from 10 NSW Government agencies

Delivery of the TFM Investment Model, which analyses cross-agency linked data to understand and anticipate the current and future needs of children, young people and families

The 2^nd Their Futures Matter Conference: Improving Outcomes Together is held in Sydney, with over 700 people from government and non-government organisations joining together to examine how we can improve life outcomes for children, young people and families experiencing vulnerabilities. Speakers included representatives from the Scottish Government, New Zealand’s Social Investment Agency, the Victorian Government, and journalist Stan Grant.

Public release of the Forecasting Future Outcomes: Stronger Communities Investment Unit 2018 Insights Report, a ground-breaking report providing powerful insights into projected service usage and future outcomes for population groups of children and families in NSW

Minister Gareth Ward announces the establishment of the NSW Stronger Communities Investment Unit and the NSW Stronger Communities Investment Coalition

Futures Planning and Support – Mid North Coast service to commence

First meeting of the NSW Stronger Communities Investment Coalition

Monitor and evaluate SCIU funded programs and pilots

Establish collaborative commissioning boards responsible for decision making and commissioning services based on the needs of the local community

Develop a framework and contestability model for government and non-government organisations to strategically commission

System and service responses commence for two approved population groups

Commence phase 3 of the redesign of child wellbeing and child protection system

Implement, monitor and evaluate System Transformation pilots

Release a four year roadmap and an implementation plan for System Transformation