Department for Family and Community Services (GA645)

The Department came into being on 4 June 1990 (SAPP 23 of 1989-90) and replaced the Department of Community Welfare. The Department's role is to strengthen families, individuals and the community at large.

Following its creation the Department was structured as follows: Internal Audit; Human Resource Management Division; Program Planning Division; Family and Community Development Division; Executive Projects; Aboriginal and Islander co-ordinating unit; Administration and Finance; Southern Metropolitan region; Northern Country region; Northern Metropolitan region; Central Metropolitan region and Southern Country region.

The department fulfilled its functions by running programs in the following areas: Planning with people; Strengthening individuals and families; Strengthening community agencies; Financial support; Welfare practice; Individual and family protection; Specialist child protection; Early intervention and substitute care; Support to adolescents and their parents.

During the 1990/91 finanical year the regional element of the Department was altered to: North-East Metropolitan Region; South-West Metropolitan region; Northern Country region and Southern country region. The following programs were added to those already in existence: Building community support; Placement and support services; Crime prevention strategy and Juvenile justice.

During the 1991/92 year the programs were altered to: Community development and planning; Building community support; Support for individuals and families; Family preservation and alternative care; Support to adolescents and their parents; Assessment and representation in courts; Juvenile justice and Financial support. A juvenile justice section was added to the department structure during this time.

In 1998 the Department were absorbed by the newly formed 'super department', the Department of Human Services, becoming known as Family and Youth Services.