Budget fact sheets 2005 - Child, Youth and Family - differential response model test
The Government is investing $2.1 million to the end of the 2005/06 financial year to develop and test a differential response model for the delivery of statutory care and protection services by the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services (CYF).
This model will allow CYF to undertake a preliminary assessment of care and protection notifications received. The preliminary assessment undertaken will determine the most appropriate response needed which could include:
- a care and protection investigation by a CYF social worker
- a child and family assessment
- a referral to other organisations including non-government organisations (NGO) or other government agencies
- other actions or steps to give effect to the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989
- a decision that no further action is required.
Such a move will give CYF greater flexibility to respond more appropriately to the high numbers of care and protection notifications it receives, and will enable more timely and effective services to be delivered.
Testing of the differential response model will include:
- assessment tools and processes to accurately identify which clients need either an assessment or a care and protection investigation
- child and family assessment tools, along with preliminary assessment tools
- standards for conducting assessments
- assessing service provision availability and alignment
- monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
The differential response model will be trialled during 2005/06 at CYF’s call centre, and in 1-2 service delivery sites. A key component of the model is partnership with the NGO sector, and testing will include NGO partners. The operation and outcomes of the differential response model development process will be closely monitored and evaluated.
