DoCS Connect
DoCS Connect is a secure internet-based portal that provides mandatory reporters, partner agencies and non-government organisations with an easier, paperless way to engage with DoCS.
It was launched in December 2007 for the Brighter Futures program. It improves service delivery to clients by streamlining business transactions between DoCS and its funded Brighter Futures partners.
what are the changes and who will they affect?
Further enhancements and new functionality were introduced to DoCS Connect on 10 May 2008.
These new features are aimed to further streamline data collection for the Brighter Futures evaluation.
A number of new functions replace many of the paper-based processes. They include:
-
request and report services provided to families
Lead Agencies are able to request services for families they manage and report every quarter on the intensity and duration of the services provided. -
family survey
A family’s participation in the Family survey can be recorded and the system will generate reminders to notify the caseworker when a survey is due for the family. -
brokerage and face-to-face case management
As part of case management, agencies are required to report the actual brokerage amount spent per child per quarter and the time allocated to face-to-face case management.
Lead Agencies can now report through DoCS Connect. -
new reports
Two new reports are available in DoCS Connect to assist in case management work.
These are a report of all families who are on the eligibility list for longer than the specified period and a report of all families that have not completed the family survey within a specified period.
what support is available to DoCS Connect users?
Support is available to Lead Agencies through various channels:
- an information package about the changes and updated Service Provision Guidelines were provided to Lead Agencies
- Lead Agencies can use the ‘iHelp’ function which provides a step-by-step guide to assist users in the system
Also available are links to ‘Help’ and ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)' - for more complex technical assistance, users should call the DoCS Connect Service Desk on 1300 760 641. The Service Desk is available between 7am – 7pm Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays).


