The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is redesigning the Family Preservation service system in New South Wales to improve the outcomes, experience, suitability, and accessibility for families who want to access and would benefit from working with a Family Preservation service. This discussion paper outlines the proposed Family Preservation design, which has been informed by research, data, community voice, and contextual and experiential evidence.

The paper sets out the vision for the Family Preservation system and seeks feedback on key elements of the proposed design. It builds on previous consultations and Family Preservation stakeholder engagement workshops held over the past 18 months and invites the views of DCJ operations teams, Family Preservation service providers, peak bodies, and interested stakeholders. Submissions to this consultation will inform upcoming decisions about the Family Preservation recommissioning process.

The paper identifies a number of proposed changes - some of these proposals will need to be settled in advance of procurement activity in the second half of 2024, some will need to be settled to include as provisions in contracts with service providers (that will commence from 1 July 2025), and others will be developed and iterated through the life of the new contract period and beyond. Throughout the paper, the DCJ has asked specific discussion questions on the elements that need to be settled first, and indicated when further consultation will be conducted on elements that can be settled later. The Department has also indicated where some questions are for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) only, and where all stakeholders will want or need to respond to all questions.

Stakeholders are invited to provide submissions and respond to any or all the proposed design and discussion questions outlined in this paper. Submissions close Friday 17 May 2024.