❓ Question regarding the Department for Child Protection and Family Support's (DCPaFS) oversight and funding of the Busselton Women's Refuge, including assessment of the board, tendering process, transfer of funds, auditing, and current occupancy. The Minister's response clarifies the funding arrangements, monitoring processes, and transition of management.
AnsweredQoN 2043Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Busselton Women's Refuge, and I ask: (a) what assessment was undertaken by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support (DCPaFS) before it funded the Busselton Women's Refuge to ensure the Busselton Women's Refuge Board had the required knowledge and expertise to run a women's refuge; (b) why wasn't the running of the Busselton Women's Refuge put out to tender to get the best possible operator to run the refuge; (c) when the South West Women's Refuge was called on to take over the management of the Busselton Women's Refuge, what action did the DCPaFS take to ensure all monies (including community donations) held by the Busselton Women's Refuge were transferred to the South West Women's Refuge to provide the South West Women's Refuge with the funds it needs to run the Busselton Women's Refuge; (d) has the DCPaFS notified the Department of Commerce that the Busselton Women's Refuge Inc no longer manages a refuge: (i) if no to (d), why not; (e) what regular auditing was undertaken by the DCPaFS on the Busselton Women's Refuge; (f) will the Minister table the agreement between the DCPaFS and the Busselton Women's Refuge in relation to the Busselton Women's Refuge, and the agreement between the DCPaFS and the South West Women's Refuge in relation to the Busselton Women's Refuge: (i) if no to (f), why not; (g) will the Minister table all funding acquittal reports lodged by the Busselton Women's Refuge: (i) if no to (g), why not; and (h) how many women are currently being cared for at the Busselton Women's Refuge?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 December 2014
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
41 days
(a) The Department's interim contract arrangement was via a grant agreement with the City of Busselton for the provision of the Busselton Women's Refuge (BWR). The City of Busselton subcontracted the provision of the service to the Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc. through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Department has worked in partnership with the City of Busselton and the Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc. to develop the service model for the BWR and to build the capacity of the service provider. Further, the Department assisted the service to access training around governance, understanding family and domestic violence and the Specialist Homelessness Services Data Collection.
(b) As resources for this election commitment were still being finalised initial funding for the refuge was identified from within the Department's existing budget. Now that funding has been approved for a Family and Domestic Violence Accommodation and Support Service in Busselton, the service will go out to Open Tender in accordance with the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy.
(c) On 15 July 2014, a meeting involving all stakeholders was held to develop a transition plan and discuss obligations, responsibilities and timelines. Stakeholders included the City of Busselton, Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc., South West Refuge - including a representative from the Board of Management, Department of Housing and the Department.
Any donated monies were negotiated between the Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc. and the South West Refuge Inc.
(d) No. The Department is not required to notify the Department of Commerce when a service ceases.
(e) The Department has regularly monitored the delivery of the service through active contract management including formal and informal means, regularly meeting with BWR, compliance reporting and service reviews.
(f) No. There was no grant agreement with BWR , the Department's Grant Agreement was with the City of Busselton.
(g) The funding acquittal report for the Busselton Women's Refuge is due by 31 January 2015 and will be lodged by the City of Busselton. The acquittal report can be tabled if required.
(h) The service is well utilised. As at Friday 31 October 2014 there were five families accommodated at Geographe House.
The Department has worked in partnership with the City of Busselton and the Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc. to develop the service model for the BWR and to build the capacity of the service provider. Further, the Department assisted the service to access training around governance, understanding family and domestic violence and the Specialist Homelessness Services Data Collection.
(b) As resources for this election commitment were still being finalised initial funding for the refuge was identified from within the Department's existing budget. Now that funding has been approved for a Family and Domestic Violence Accommodation and Support Service in Busselton, the service will go out to Open Tender in accordance with the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy.
(c) On 15 July 2014, a meeting involving all stakeholders was held to develop a transition plan and discuss obligations, responsibilities and timelines. Stakeholders included the City of Busselton, Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc., South West Refuge - including a representative from the Board of Management, Department of Housing and the Department.
Any donated monies were negotiated between the Busselton Women's Refuge Group Inc. and the South West Refuge Inc.
(d) No. The Department is not required to notify the Department of Commerce when a service ceases.
(e) The Department has regularly monitored the delivery of the service through active contract management including formal and informal means, regularly meeting with BWR, compliance reporting and service reviews.
(f) No. There was no grant agreement with BWR , the Department's Grant Agreement was with the City of Busselton.
(g) The funding acquittal report for the Busselton Women's Refuge is due by 31 January 2015 and will be lodged by the City of Busselton. The acquittal report can be tabled if required.
(h) The service is well utilised. As at Friday 31 October 2014 there were five families accommodated at Geographe House.
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