Free up agents to save kids

Baseline data in NSW indicates that in September last year, 975 families had participated in the Department of Community Services-funded early intervention program.

Of these families, only 39 per cent were managed by DOCS, with 61 per cent managed by DOCS-funded non-government organisations and community-based organisations, even though these non-government service providers received only a fraction of the funding DOCS allocated for its own in-house programs.

Greater outsourcing of family services makes sense on several levels. Non-government providers are already outperforming government-operated services. At a lower cost, they are delivering more services and helping a greater number of families from spiralling into crisis and abuse.

Outsourcing the provision of family services would also clarify the role of child protection authorities and allow them to target resources where they are most needed.

Case workers would be able to concentrate on their primary task: securing the safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable children in the community.