I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, representing the Minister for Social Justice, a question regarding foster care and FAYS.
The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: While the issue of child protection and the problems within FAYS have received significant exposure lately, there are also other significant providers within the child welfare and protection system operated by non-government sector agencies. The contract for the provision of alternative care services closes on 30 October. I have been contacted by people with significant expertise in this field who have expressed alarm at the uncertainty driven by the approach of the Department of Human Services to the tender process. They claim that they have not been adequately consulted on the provision of alternative care in spite of being recognised experts in the field. Furthermore, they are concerned that the contract has not been designed to provide adequate funding. In addition, they state that an organisation known as Life Without Barriers has recently been granted a contract to provide alternative care services to children with disabilities without going through a tender process. My questions are:
1. Will the minister confirm that LifeWithout Barriers is receiving funding for the provision of foster care services?
If so, what were the circumstances of it receiving funding?
2. Is the minister aware of the low morale levels of people working in the non-government child protection field which has led to the haemorrhaging of several leaders and, therefore, a loss of knowledge and experience?
3. Can the minister state what number of carers will be supported by the new contract, and will it be adequate to meet the demand?
4. How have levels of funding for the new contract been altered from the existing contract in terms of carer support, training and other factors?
The Hon. T.G. ROBERTS (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): I will refer those important questions to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.
Monday 16 February 2004
In reply to Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (20 October 2003).
The Hon. T.G. ROBERTS: The Minister for Social Justice has advised:
1. Will the minister confirm that Life Without Barriers is receiving funding for the provision of foster care services? If so, what were the circumstances of it receiving funding?
‘LifeWithout Barriers’ is receiving funding for the provision of services to children and young people who are under the Guardianship of the Minister for Social Justice and who have particularly complex needs. In 2001-02, ‘Life Without Barriers’ and a range of other providers entered into a tender process for the purchasing by the Department of Human Services (DHS) of individual packages of care for these children and young people.
This tender process resulted in thirteen organisations, one of which was ‘Life Without Barriers’, meeting the pre-qualification criteria for the provision of these services. These thirteen organisations have entered into a written service agreement with the DHS, and form a preferred provider panel for the provision of individual packages of care to children and young people with high and complex needs.
2. Is the minister aware of the low morale levels of people working in the non-government child protection field which has led to the hemorrhaging of several leaders and, therefore, a loss of knowledge and experience?
Generally, the non-government sector has been delighted with the additional funding this Government has committed to alternative care services. Not surprisingly, the necessary reconfiguration of alternative care services in South Australia, which includes the current open tender for provision of Statewide alternative care services, led to a number of concerns being raised by some existing service providers. The Department of Human Services and the Chair of the Alternative Care Advisory Committee worked with the nongovernment sector to address those concerns. The Australian Services Union (ASU) also raised concerns on behalf of their members about job security if there are changes to service providers.
As a consequence, the DHS, the ASU and non-government provides have been working cooperatively to ensure the retention of skilled staff within the alternative care sector.
3. Can the minister state what number of carers will be supported by the new contract, and will it be adequate to meet the demand?
Alternative care funding is more aligned to placement numbers than numbers of carers. However, under section 43(3) of the Family and Community Services Act 1972, there are statutory limits to the number of children who may be placed in one placement at any time (3 children). Therefore, there is an expectation that funded agencies will recruit, assess, train, support and review sufficient numbers of carers to meet placement estimates and uphold statutory requirements.
4. How have the levels of funding for the new contract been altered from the existing contract in terms of carer support, training and other factors?
As previously mentioned, numbers of carers supported by agencies are determined in line with placement requirements rather than carer numbers per se. Additional funding has been made available to strengthen carer supports and capacity through the Statewide Carer Advocacy Service, a Statewide Recruitment Service and a carer body for peer support. Standards regarding carer support, training and other factors will be developed by the department and the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alternative Care.
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