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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-17 Daily Xml
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Stronger Together Program

300 The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO ().14 September 2023).

1. What are the key achievements of the Stronger Together program since it began in January this year?

2. How much funding is provided to the Stronger Together program in 2022-23 and 2023-24?

3. How many families have been referred to the Stronger Together program?

4. How many families have been part of the program since it's started?

5. How many families have had successful outcomes since the program has started?

6. How many families have not been successful in this program?

7. What supports or services are being provided to the families that have been unsuccessful in this program?

8. What supports or services are being provided to families with successful outcomes from this program?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister Human Services has advised:

The Department of Human Services funded Anglicare SA Ltd $686,914 (GST exclusive) in 2022-23 and for the 2023-24 financial year, will provide $1,391,000 (GST exclusive) for the Stronger Together program.

Stronger Together is an intensive family service for families whose children are at imminent risk of placement in out of home care. The service aims to keep children safe and well in their family, community and culture, and where possible, prevent the need for children to go into care. The service works with families to improve safety and wellbeing, family functioning and address risk factors that put pressure on families (domestic violence, homelessness, parental mental health, and drug and alcohol issues).

Since the commencement of the program in 2023, 25 families have been referred to the program. The service has helped families create meaningful and sustainable change by giving families the tools to they need to succeed in the future. For many of the families, the intergenerational cycle of dysfunction and trauma has been disrupted, creating a brighter future for the next generations.

Stronger Together assists families to achieve successful outcomes by providing practical and therapeutic support in the home including:

Provision of practical assistance in times of need, financial support and budgeting.

Coaching and mentoring skills in caregiver coping, positive parenting, behaviour management, communication, problem solving and household functioning.

Building an understanding of child development and attachment.

Supporting social and emotional competence of children and young people.

Building understanding of safe, healthy family relationships.

Building positive social and community networks.

As the program commenced in 2023 outcome data is only available to date. Of the 25 families, eight (8) families have been supported with outcomes achieved. These families are now connected with ongoing support.

A number of other families are currently engaged and supported within the service.

Since commencement there have been a small number of families disengaged from the service or were escalated back to Department for Child Protection or children were removed (due to parents not able to maintain safety for their children despite additional support).

When considering unsuccessful outcomes, it is important to acknowledge that the families in this program present with imminent high level complex risks.

The program often connects families with key supports such as education, health services (including mental health services), childcare, substance use support, DV support, etc.

Some families are not at a point in their life journey where they are motivated or willing, or able to address the underlying issues behind the child protection concerns. For families who are not ultimately able to keep their children safe at home they will still experience a therapeutic service and engagement with support in a trauma-informed way to help overcome difficulties.

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