❓ A parliamentary question regarding the rollout, accessibility, data security, and funding implications of a new online homelessness services portal in Western Australia, and the government's response.
AnsweredQoN 6367Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to your announcement of 3 August 2020 regarding a new homelessness services portal, and ask: (a) will all homelessness providers have access to the database; (b) what procedures will be put in place to ensure the confidentiality of homeless clients; (c) how much funding has been provided for each of the past three years towards the Entrypoint homelessness assessment and referral service; and (d) will funding for Entrypoint cease once the database is established?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 October 2020
Responded by
Minister for Community Services
Response time
9 days
(a) All homelessness providers will have access to the publicly available features of the Online Homelessness Services Portal (the Portal) that provides accommodation and support service information. Initially, homelessness providers funded by the Department of Communities (Communities) will have access to the database and case management functions, however it is anticipated over time the range of features that can be accessed will broaden to include other services that people experiencing homelessness may need or be in contact with, such as hospitals and financial counsellors.
(b) The Portal will be a secure platform for the sharing of confidential client data and information with informed consent. Strict client consent and confidentiality procedures will be co-designed in partnership with service providers and service users to ensure personal information is kept secure and informed consent of clients is obtained before their personal information can be accessed and shared.
(c) Over the past three years, State Government funding for the Entrypoint homelessness assessment and referral service has totalled $2.3 million:
(d) The creation of the Portal will not replace the need for a telephone-based homelessness assessment and referral service. Future funding for Entrypoint will be considered as part of Communities’ broader approach to the redesign of the homelessness service system and the recontracting of all specialist homelessness services.
(b) The Portal will be a secure platform for the sharing of confidential client data and information with informed consent. Strict client consent and confidentiality procedures will be co-designed in partnership with service providers and service users to ensure personal information is kept secure and informed consent of clients is obtained before their personal information can be accessed and shared.
(c) Over the past three years, State Government funding for the Entrypoint homelessness assessment and referral service has totalled $2.3 million:
(d) The creation of the Portal will not replace the need for a telephone-based homelessness assessment and referral service. Future funding for Entrypoint will be considered as part of Communities’ broader approach to the redesign of the homelessness service system and the recontracting of all specialist homelessness services.
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