An integral part of protecting our most vulnerable children is actively working with families to maintain a safe home environment, and preventing children and young people from being at risk of significant harm.
As you may already know, Family Connect and Support is an early intervention, prevention and case coordination service for families who would benefit from extra support to prevent their issues from becoming worse.
This program will support families to access specific services that address the current challenges and underlying issues the family maybe experiencing. The purpose of Family Connect and Support is to intervene earlier and link families with the right supports. The Family Connect and Support program is the redesign of Family Referral Service (FRS) and has built upon many of the strengths of the FRS service model. This universal and voluntary state-wide service recently transferred to DCJ with service delivery commencing on 1 January 2021.
Help for families to make positive change and improve their wellbeing
Family Connect and Support matches families to the right support, while providing an entry point into the service system for vulnerable families across NSW. It is a ‘no judgement’ service that helps families identify, and build on, their strengths and resources. This includes empowering families to tap into their own informal support networks.
Family Connect and Support (FCS) builds on the great features in Family Referral Service (FRS) and can help by linking families to local services for support with:
- understanding and managing a child’s behaviour
- budgeting and money matters
- alcohol, drug or gambling problems
- access to housing, health care or other community and government services
- building strong family relationships
- keeping everyone safe at home.
Anyone can make a referral to a local Family Connect and Support Provider. Contact details can be accessed via the website, where you can also find out more information. You can contact the program team at FamilyConnectandSupport@dcj.nsw.gov.au with any general enquiries.