Award of First Step Care Foster and Kinship Short-Term Placement Services in Far North Queensland

About

DCSSDS awarded a contract to Centacare North Queensland for the delivery of specialised foster and kinship care services under the First Step Care model, providing 20 short-term placement places for children and young people aged 0-15.

The service focuses on placements of up to three months while clear exit plans to kin or longer-term care arrangements are identified, with carers recruited and supported primarily in Cairns, Innisfail, Atherton Tablelands, and Mossman.

Referrals are made via the Far North Queensland Placement Services Unit, and placements are reviewed at two months with extensions beyond three months only under exceptional circumstances.

The contract value is AUD 882,017 and was procured through a limited procurement method.