Family Assist Fact sheet for caseworkers

Family Assist provides a private rental subsidy for up to five years for families with an identified housing need. It supports families undergoing restoration (reuniting children from out-of-home care into the care of their families); or preservation (supporting families to prevent entry of children into out-of-home care).

Family Assist is only available in:

• Sydney
• South East Sydney
• Dubbo, and
• Western NSW (from Bathurst west to Cobar, south to Forbes and north to Walgett and Bourke).

Family Assist helps families by:

• providing referrals to wrap around support services
• providing up to $850 to help search for and secure a property
• providing up to $5,000 to help set up a new home, build capacity and undertake employment, training and/or education
• after two years, gradually reducing the amount of subsidy we pay, to help build independence.

Who is Family Assist for?

Family Assist is for clients who:

• are at least 18 years old
• have an active restoration order or preservation case plan
• are referred by a caseworker from DCJ or a DCJ funded agency supporting restoration or preservation services, who will case manage the client while they receive the subsidy
• are engaged with their caseworker and willing to stay engaged
• are on low income
• live in NSW
• can sustain a tenancy, with or without support
• are homeless or at risk of being homeless or have unsuitable housing for their child/ren
• are committed to pursuing education, training and employment during the final three years of the subsidy.

How do I refer my clients?

Clients cannot apply for Family Assist. Referrals must be made by a DCJ caseworker or a DCJ funded NGO caseworker supporting restoration or preservation.

To refer a client complete the Family Assist referral form and return to Family.Assist@facs.nsw.gov.au along with:

• Consent to exchange information between support workers/service providers
• Income confirmation scheme online form, and
• a current restoration order, preservation case plan, court orders or family action plan.