The year at at a glance

DoCS plays an important role in the NSW community and children and families are a major priority for the NSW Government. In recognition of this, an additional $1.2 billion in funding was granted to the Department in 2002 to be rolled out in escalating amounts between 2003 and 2008.

This extra funding is helping DoCS strengthen its work in four key areas – prevention and early intervention, child protection, out-of-home care and organisational performance.

By the end of 2006/07, DoCS received $846.5 million from the reform package:

$393.5 million to improve out-of-home care, including additional caseworkers and better services for children and young people who cannot safely live at home
$270.2 million to improve the child protection system (including extra caseworkers and support services) and to introduce the Brighter Futures early intervention program, and
$182.8 million to meet increased costs for crisis support and improve support for caseworkers including training, legal services, information systems, research and enhanced frontline accommodation.

Achievements

By 30 June 2007, DoCS had filled 650 additional caseworker positions from the reform package and will continue recruiting
DoCS occupied 27 new sites as part of the ongoing expansion and upgrade of caseworker accommodation
Almost 60 per cent of the budget – or $667.5 million – was used to buy contracted services for clients, mainly from non-government organisations. DoCS’s Funding Policy continues to be rolled out with the help and support of our community partners and peak bodies.
Performance based service contracts for Brighter Futures were finalised and, in April 2007, DoCS started another call for expressions of interest for out-of-home care services. Worth more than $600 million, the aim is to increase the range of placement and service options available for children and young people who cannot live safely at home
In 2006/07 and 2007/08, $8.8 million a year is being provided to more than 530 community-based preschools to improve their viability as part of the Government’s $85.5 million Preschool Investment and Reform Plan
The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 and Adoption Act 2000 were reviewed and an options paper was released to promote discussion on proposed amendments to the legislation
Phase 1 of the Permanency Planning Demonstration Project was completed. The Project improves caseworker skills so that sound, early decisions can be made about whether young children in care can be restored to their parents or whether other permanent options are preferable, such as care by a relative or adoption.