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ANGLICARE urges NSW Govt to make Wood recommendations a reality

ANGLICARE Sydney has welcomed the release of the NSW Government’s plan to implement 106 of the 111 recommended by Justice James Wood in his Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW.

A key theme within the report’s recommendations is a greater role for the non-government sector in the provision of vital services such as out of home (foster) care for children.

ANGLICARE Sydney is calling on the NSW Government to implement the report’s recommendations without delay.

ANGLICARE Sydney’s Director of Community Care, Ian Jackson, says that ANGLICARE Sydney and other non-government organisations in NSW have a strong track record in the delivery of specialised services for children at risk.

“The non-government sector is well positioned to undertake additional responsibilities in early intervention, family support services, and out-of-home care as well as assisting in the delivery of a more effective child protection and child well-being approach.

However, Mr Jackson says there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed in undertaking an effective transfer of some services from the Department of Community Services (DoCS) to the non-government sector.

“Many of our programs are already stretched and under resourced. It is vital that the additional resources required are available for the expansion of programs whilst maintaining the high quality of service delivery that the non-government sector provides.

“Additionally, the recommendations when implemented will require a much greater level of effective communication between non-government agencies and with government departments. ANGLICARE Sydney is committed to the culture change required to make this happen.”

ANGLICARE Sydney is one of a handful of non-government organisations that coordinates out-of-home (foster) care for children throughout the Sydney region. The organisation also runs a range of preventative programs including early intervention, family support services and counselling.