The Territory Families Strategic Plan 2017-2020: Half Year Report 1 July – 31 December 2018 shows that steady progress is being made to implement major reforms and improvements to services across child protection, domestic and family violence, youth justice services, senior’s recognition and multicultural affairs.

Territory Families Chief Executive Ken Davies said that the public release of the half year strategic report made sure that the agency was accountable and transparent.

“Our Half Year Report shows that some of the fundamental building blocks of a new family services system – the laws, the case management system and our partnerships – are taking shape,’’ he said.

“Improvements to core practice and policy have assisted the agency to respond more effectively to challenges that have been presented.

“This report outlines our focus, defines the actions we are taking and ensures that the work we are doing is quantifiable so that we can clearly see where we are making a difference and where we can continue to improve.”

Mr Davies said that strong partnerships with government, non-government organisations, Aboriginal organisations and community groups had assisted Territory Families to develop and deliver improved services to better meet the needs of children and families in the Northern Territory.

“Creating strong and meaningful partnerships across the sector and community has been crucial to us being able to facilitate stronger community engagement, enhanced support services to families and facilitate the roll out of a new youth program put in place by Government,’’ he said.

The Report highlights Territory Families’ achievements, progress towards our goals, and delivery status of the key actions for 2018‑19 over the second six months of the Strategic Plan’s lifecycle.

Of the 45 key actions contained in the Strategic Plan, 11 have been completed, 21 are in progress and still being developed and 13 are ongoing and will be carried over into normal business operations.

Some of Territory Families’ key achievements over the past six months include:

• Funding partnerships with Aboriginal Controlled Organisations to increase the number of kinship carers and improve outcomes for Aboriginal children

• Expanding our partnership with Charles Darwin University to improve staff capability and provide employment options to local graduates

• Establishing and delivering the Regional Youth Services Fund  for new Regional Youth Program Coordinators in Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek to improve support for activities and programs that address the needs of vulnerable young people

• Implementing the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework Action Plan 1:  Changing attitudes, intervening earlier and responding better

• Transforming the Out of Home Care model so children and young people have a say in decisions that affect them and in the design of policy and legislation.
  

• Implementing the Northern Territory Concession Scheme and Seniors Recognition Scheme.

The Strategic Plan currently includes key actions that Territory Families will deliver in 2018-19. These will be reviewed and updated key actions will be identified for 2019-20.

Territory Families media contact:

Amy Sloan
8999 5082
0447 863 5671