Award of Specialised Family Support Services to Mercy Community Services SEQ

About

DCSSDS awarded a contract to Mercy Community Services SEQ Limited for specialised services and support to families requiring ongoing statutory intervention, focusing on family preservation and reunification as referred by Child Safety Service Centres.

The service maintains families where a child remains at home under ongoing intervention and monitoring, and assists in reunification from care placements where in the child's best interest.

Services operate under a case plan developed by the Child Safety Service Centre, which retains lead case management responsibility, with goals including reunification within 12 months, support for families on child protection orders, intervention with parental agreement, or support service cases.

Providers must work in partnership with Child Safety Service Centres and collaborate with informal family supports and other support services to address case plan goals and reviews in a timely manner within the family's local community.

A brokerage fund of up to 5% of total grant funding is available for purchasing specialist services or goods linked to the family's case plan.

The service provides tertiary family support to families with children and young people under 18 years, including unborn children, who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and are determined to be in need of protection.

The contract value is AUD 889,886, procured through a limited method.