❓ Question regarding improved outcomes, costings, and implementation timeline for family and domestic violence refuge service delivery in WA following a departmental review. The answer outlines a service system approach led by specialist emergency response services and identifies key areas of responsibility. Costings are under negotiation, and implementation is planned to commence in 2014.
AnsweredQoN 728Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Summary Report "Review of the Family and Domestic Violence Refuge Service System in Western Australia" where it states "The Department has undertaken a review of the family and domestic violence service system in WA to improve outcomes for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence", and I ask: (a) what are the expected improved outcomes for service delivery at each of the shelters and refuges in Western Australia; (b) have the improved outcomes been costed; and (c) when will these improved outcomes be implemented?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2014
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
29 days
(a) The Summary Report 'Review of the Family and Domestic Violence Refuge Service System in Western Australia' recommended a service system approach across metropolitan domestic violence services lead by three lead emergency response services.
These 24/7 Specialist Emergency Response Services would have five key areas of responsibility:
· 24/7 response (even when refuges are at 100 per cent capacity).
o develop strategies and responses aimed at ensuring priority access to Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Accommodation and Support Services for women and children who are the subject of threats of extreme violence.
o Provide primary point of contact for the Western Australia Police, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support's Crisis Care Unit and Entrypoint (the new Homelessness Assessment and Response Service).
· Coordination and facilitation - provide a lead role to move FDV Accommodation and Support Service Providers away from a service model in which individual services provide unconnected, separate responses to one in which services work collaboratively and provide an integrated service system response.
· Risk assessment and risk management - undertake initial risk assessment of women and children referred to the service and address any immediate safety concerns. Take responsibility for ensuring consistent practice and response to family and domestic violence risk assessment, safety planning and information sharing between FDV Accommodation and Support Services.
· Follow-up
o liaise with FDV Accommodation and Support Services to ensure women and children receive the most appropriate service response.
o Ensure the facilitation of appropriate referrals across regions, including raising issues and encouraging open dialogue in order to address any gaps or barriers that may prevent provision of the service.
· Referral
o Facilitate appropriate referrals across the service system.
o Provide documented information of any service gaps or blockages that cannot be resolved to the Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) Inc for discussion and resolution.
In remote regions the need for outreach services was identified, due to the low number of women accessing accommodation and the short periods of stay in safe houses.
(b) Negotiations are currently occurring with services in regional and metropolitan regions to develop costings.
(c) It is envisaged the service delivery changes will commence being developed through the recontracting processes in 2014.
These 24/7 Specialist Emergency Response Services would have five key areas of responsibility:
· 24/7 response (even when refuges are at 100 per cent capacity).
o develop strategies and responses aimed at ensuring priority access to Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Accommodation and Support Services for women and children who are the subject of threats of extreme violence.
o Provide primary point of contact for the Western Australia Police, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support's Crisis Care Unit and Entrypoint (the new Homelessness Assessment and Response Service).
· Coordination and facilitation - provide a lead role to move FDV Accommodation and Support Service Providers away from a service model in which individual services provide unconnected, separate responses to one in which services work collaboratively and provide an integrated service system response.
· Risk assessment and risk management - undertake initial risk assessment of women and children referred to the service and address any immediate safety concerns. Take responsibility for ensuring consistent practice and response to family and domestic violence risk assessment, safety planning and information sharing between FDV Accommodation and Support Services.
· Follow-up
o liaise with FDV Accommodation and Support Services to ensure women and children receive the most appropriate service response.
o Ensure the facilitation of appropriate referrals across regions, including raising issues and encouraging open dialogue in order to address any gaps or barriers that may prevent provision of the service.
· Referral
o Facilitate appropriate referrals across the service system.
o Provide documented information of any service gaps or blockages that cannot be resolved to the Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) Inc for discussion and resolution.
In remote regions the need for outreach services was identified, due to the low number of women accessing accommodation and the short periods of stay in safe houses.
(b) Negotiations are currently occurring with services in regional and metropolitan regions to develop costings.
(c) It is envisaged the service delivery changes will commence being developed through the recontracting processes in 2014.
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