Local implementation and transition across NSW

A key driver of successful transition is implementation at the local level.

While Community Services activity has shifted from being organised along seven regions to 15 local districts, OOHC transition implementation remains organised along the former seven regions across NSW, with Regional Implementation Groups (RIGs) operating in each region.

RIG membership includes Community Services and all out-of-home care (OOHC) agencies providing services in that region. RIGs are co-chaired by the Community Services Regional Director and an NGO-nominated provider.

Each RIG has been actively implementing the transition locally according to its Stage 2 Regional Implementation Plans (RTP).

Hunter and Central Coast

Community Services Hunter & Central Coast region is a diverse region incorporating metropolitan, regional and rural areas.

The region covers four areas: Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Lower Hunter, Upper Hunter and the Central Coast. There are 11 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in the region.

Community Services carers wishing to arrange transfer to a non-government agency should telephone the Hunter and Central Coast Child and Family Regional Unit (CFRU) on:
(02) 4985 1558

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited OOHC agencies in the Hunter & Central Coast region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Hunter & Central Coast regional activities

The Hunter & Central Coast has a rich history of collaboration, which enhances its commitment to delivering on the OOHC reform. To enhance collaboration, the region has established several forums:

Regional Implementation Group (RIG)
Future Directions Forums (FDF)
Placement Matching Panel.

The Hunter & Central Coast RIG is made up of Community Services and NGO representatives and is responsible for implementing its Regional Transitional Plan (RTP).

The Region’s RIG membership evidences its collaborative partnerships and relational strengths. RIG membership represents key stakeholders in the out-of-home care transition:

OOHC NGOs
Ageing, Disability & Home Care
NSW Department of Education & Communities
NSW Health
Community Services (DCJ)
ACWA (Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies)
AbSec.

Hunter & Central Coast RIG members have frank, robust discussions about the transition. These stakeholder forums meet regularly to discuss transition opportunities and to create OOHC solutions focused on the best interests of children and young people.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring:
Hunter Central Coast Carer Transfer Information Line
Phone: (02) 4985 1558 or contact your local Community Services Centre (CSC).

Metro Central region

Metro Central is a culturally diverse region whose focus is on expanding strong interagency partnerships and understandings. The region covers Northern and Southern Sydney, the Inner West and South East Sydney and has 8 Community Service Centres (CSCs).

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited OOHC agencies in the Metro Central region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Metro Central regional activities

Metro Central has established a Regional Implementation Group (RIG) is made up of Community Services and NGO representatives and is responsible for implementing its Regional Transitional Plan (RTP). The region's wide-ranging RTP has 42 deliverables across seven key strategy areas.

Metro Central achievements

Approved guidelines for transferring case files and carer files implemented.
Information provided to children, young people and their carers to support informed choices.
New case management transfer procedures implemented.
Ensured children and young people in the Pathways of Care longitudinal study remain engaged in this research when they transfer.
Reviewed process for transfer of carers and children.

NGO placement subcommittee

A key feature of the Metro Central RTP is collaborative practice and joint decision-making. In addition to a residential care working group, the RIG is establishing: NGO placement subcommittee to drive placement transfers; carer development and retention sub-committee to ensure recruitment of carers children and young people need; a sub-committee to develop an enhanced focus on preservation and restoration.

Carer support and information

Metro Central has appointed an OOHC Carer Transfer Project Officer. This role is assisting Community Services and agency caseworker visits to carers to discuss transferring and carer concerns, liaising with agencies to discuss transfers and processes, and is planning four carer information events across the region between February and June 2013.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring, call the Metro Central Carer Transfer Information Line: (02) 8303 6350.

Metro South West

Community Services Metro South West is a dynamic and vibrant region that covers the Bankstown, Bowral, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Ingleburn and Liverpool CSCs. The region is characterised by a diverse range of multicultural communities.

The Metro South West region is committed to building a service system that supports better outcomes for children and young people that enter the statutory out-of-home care system.

The region is dedicated to working collaboratively with the non-government sector, to build the capacity of new and existing agencies.

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited out-of-home care (OOHC) agencies in the Metro South West Region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Metro South West regional activities

Metro South West is dedicated to working collaboratively with the non-government sector to build the capacity of new and existing agencies, and support the OOHC transition.

To enhance collaboration, the region has established several forums:

Regional Implementation Group (RIG)
Metro Future Directions Forum (combined with Metro Central and Metro West)
Placement Matching Panel.

The Metro South West RIG is made up of Community Services and NGO representatives and is responsible for implementing its Regional Transitional Plan (RTP). The Region’s RIG is jointly chaired representatives from a non-government agency and Community Services.

Metro South West forums allow participation by members from non-government agencies, and foster development of positive working relationships and partnerships across the region.

The region is also committed to providing stakeholders with every opportunity to meet regularly in different forms to discuss transition opportunities.

Metro South West achievements

System established to identify carers, children and young people to transfer to relevant agency of choice.
Process in place for children and young people who are the subjects of the Pathways of Care longitudinal study to be identified at the point of transfer and remain engaged in the study when they transfer.
Temporarily quarantined staff to progress the transfer of carers.
Invited new providers in the region to attend the RIG since July 2012.
Hosted the first Future Directions Forum (FDF).
Established Placement Matching Panel that meets each month.
Hosted Carer Information Forums in Campbelltown and Liverpool.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring:
Metro South West Carer Transfer Information Line
Phone: (02) 8713 7982.

For further information about the transition, email: info@tponsw.com.au.

Metro West

Community Services Metro West region covers the Nepean, Cumberland and Blacktown/Baulkham Hills areas. The region covers the Western metropolitan areas from Hawkesbury in the south of the region, to Auburn and Katoomba in the West.

There are 9 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in the region.

The Metro West region has established strong collaborative relationships with carers and NGOs through such events and partnerships as a Regional Foster Care Advisory Group and local Community Services Centre (CSC) Carer Support Groups. Carer support events are held regularly every year.

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited agencies in the Metro West Region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Metro West regional activities

Metro West has established a Regional Implementation Group (RIG), which is made up of Community Services and NGO representatives and is responsible for implementing its Regional Transitional Plan (RTP).

Placement Matching Panel

Metro South West achievements

System established to identify carers, children and young people to transfer to relevant agency of choice.
Process in place for children and young people who are the subjects of the Pathways of Care longitudinal study to be identified at the point of transfer and remain engaged in the study when they transfer.
Temporarily quarantined staff to progress the transfer of carers.
Invited new providers in the region to attend the RIG since July 2012.
Hosted the first Future Directions Forum (FDF).
Established Placement Matching Panel that meets each month.
Hosted Carer Information Forums in Campbelltown and Liverpool.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring:
Metro South West Carer Transfer Information Line
Phone: (02) 8713 7982.

For further information about the transition, email: info@tponsw.com.au.

Metro West

There are 9 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in the region.

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited agencies in the Metro West Region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Metro West regional activities

Placement Matching Panel

Metro West was the first region to establish a joint Community Services/non-government agencies Placement Matching Panel. The Panel has looked at regional trends and identified children and young people with particular placement needs. Community Services and non-government agencies are now jointly working to identify the most appropriate placements and care for vulnerable groups.

Keeping carers informed

Successful transition requires carers make informed choices. To help carers with decision-making, Metro West has implemented the following carer supports:

two carer forums held to provide information to carers
development and distribution of carer information packages
establishment of a carer transfer information phone line, assisting carers with immediate responses to their transition enquiries.

These measures have paved the way for a promising beginning to the successful and positive transitioning of out-of-home care service delivery in the region.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring, call Metro West Carer Transfer Information Line: (02) 9354 1607.

Northern

Community Services Northern region is solution-focused in the interest of children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC), their families and their communities.

The region covers three areas: Far North Coast, Mid North Coast and New England, and has 14 Community Services Centres (CSCs).

Northern region has a spirit of creative collaboration, in the way that embraces and embodies a sense of equality, inclusion, social justice and solution-focused innovation.

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited OOHC agencies in the Northern Region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Northern regional activities

The transition of OOHC services in the Northern region continues a long wave of a long history of close interagency relationships. These relationships have their roots in a shared passion for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children, young people, families and communities.

The vision for transition in the Northern region is of an inclusive collaboration that capitalises on the diversity, passion, knowledge and expertise of its members, aimed at providing excellence in OOHC across the whole service system.

Northern region has established a RIG, which is made up of Community Services and NGO representatives and is responsible for implementing its Regional Transitional Plan (RTP).

Northern region achievements

High rate of success of Aboriginal children and young people transitioning to Aboriginal agencies.
Establishment of an Aboriginal Placement Panel generating early positive outcomes for children, young people and families.
Establishment of Residential Care Forums for the five Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal agencies pursuing excellence in the provision of care for ‘high needs’ children and young people.
Supporting accreditation of all preferred OOHC providers.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring, call the Northern Region Carer Transfer Information Line: (02) 6686 1990.

For further information about the transition, email: info@tponsw.com.au.

Southern

Community Services Southern region is divided into two networks, Illawarra and Southern Highlands, and covers six areas: Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Bega, Batemans Bay, Cooma, and Tablelands. There are 10 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in the region.

Ultimately, the Southern region is focussed on stable, successful placements that are culturally appropriate and close to family and community.

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited out-of-home care (OOHC) agencies in the Western region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Delivering OOHC reform — Southern regional activities

Southern region has a well-established partnership between Community Services and non-government OOHC staff. Key stakeholders work collaboratively to meet the individual needs of children and young people in care and are committed to the transition of OOHC to the non-government sector.

Collaborative meetings

Growth Management Group (GMG) meetings are held monthly with all funded OOHC agencies, allowing agencies and Community Services to monitor placement vacancies and issues that may effect the transition.

Southern region has established a Regional Implementation Group (RIG) and Future Directions Forum (FDF), which are held monthly to implement its Regional Transitional Plan (RTP). The FDF is made up of Community Services and non-government representatives, and include all OOHC agencies funded in the region, as well as representatives from Connecting Carers NSW, ACWA and AbSec.

Joint panels

The following panels are attended by Community Services and non-government agency staff:

Placement Matching Panel
Intensive Residential Funded and Exceptions Placement and Support Regional Review Panel.

An Aboriginal Placement Matching Panel is also planned.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring, call the Southern Region Carer Transfer Information Line: (02) 4222 8467.

Western

Community Services Western region is geographically diverse and covers approximately 70 per cent of NSW, in remote, rural and urban settings. The region is driven to providing a child-centred out-of-home care (OOHC) sector, recognising where possible, children and young people should remain within their community to maintain culture, identity and a connection to the community.

Western region covers the following networks: Riverina/Murray, Central West and Orana/Far West and has 24 Community Services Centres (CSCs).

Community Services carers are encouraged to transfer to one of the accredited OOHC agencies in the Western region, which can be found on the Fostering NSW website.

Western region is dedicated to offering wrap-around supports to children and young people in care though government and non-government organisations. Additionally, Western region is strongly focused on increasing restorative practices that support families and keep children within their family and kin network.

Delivering OOHC reform — Western regional activities

Establishment of the Regional Implementation Group (RIG) and Future Directions Forum (FDF).
Signing of a partnership agreement between Barnardos and Miyan Munga (Aboriginal organisation) to provide foster and kincare services for Aboriginal children in Cowra and Orange.
Established a joint Community Services/NGO project focusing on restoration.
Establishment of the Western Regional Placement Matching Panel.
Establishment of two Community Services Child & Family Regional Units (CFRU).
Soon to establish an Aboriginal Working Group.

Find out more

To discuss your options for transferring :
Western Region Carer Transfer Information Line
Phone: (02) 6937 9456

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Last updated: 21 Oct 2019