Figure A1 lists the community-based service providers funded by the Department of Health & Human Services in 2013–14 to deliver Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams (Child FIRST) and Integrated Family Services (IFS).
Figure A1
Community-based Child FIRST and IFS service providers in 2013–14
Provider |
|
|---|---|
Aborigines Advancement League Inc Anglicare Victoria | |
Adequate and timely performance reporting enables the Department of Health & Human Services (the department), as the funder, to be assured that Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams (Child FIRST) and Integrated Family Services (IFS) are effectively delivering the services they are being paid to deliver and that the needs of vulnerable families are being met.
Effective partnerships and governance are characterised by mutual trust and accountability, clear roles and responsibilities, a common purpose, and regular monitoring and review of these arrangements. These features are critical to the coordinated and efficient delivery of Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams (Child FIRST) and Integrated Family Services (IFS), given that multiple organisations are involved in responding to vulnerable children and families.
Planning for integrated services at the strategic and local levels needs to be informed by a sound understanding of the changing demand drivers that contribute to vulnerability, gaps in service supply, and how well resources are allocated and prioritised.
The 1996 VAGO report,Protecting Victoria's Children: The role of the Department of Human Services, identified ongoing strain in the statutory child protection system. It recognised that effective prevention and early intervention strategies were key to preventing children from entering the child protection system.
 John Doyle Auditor-General |
Audit team Michele Lonsdale—Engagement Leader Fei Wang—Team Leader Melinda Gambrell—Analysts Aina Anisimova—Analysts |
Ordered to be published
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER May 2015
PP No 34, Session 2014–15
In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 we provided a copy of this report to the Department of Health & Human Services, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (including Caritas Christi Hospice), Northern Health, Mercy Health (Werribee Campus) and Central Gippsland Health Service with a request for their submissions or comments.
Carers and families play an essential and irreplaceable role in the palliative care system. Without them, patients would miss out on high levels of support, care and comfort. Carers and families can also bear significant physical and emotional strain.