Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Ministers statements: family services

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:34): Family services – that is, programs, supports and therapies which are specifically designed to help vulnerable families live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives – are a fundamental part of our government’s social contract. From supported playgroups, parenting education and counselling through to integrated and intensive family services, the family preservation and reunification response, specialist disability practitioners, early health family services and many more, family services are keeping Victorian families connected and they are helping them thrive. In my first ministers statement I want to update the house on the record investment being directed to these important services as well as pay tribute to the incredible workers who deliver them and acknowledge those families who access them.

Family services funding in Victoria has increased from $119 million per annum in 2012–13 to over $387 million per annum in 2022–23. Our government is investing more than three times the amount in family services than those opposite did in 2012–13. Dr Bach has written about early intervention and family support, and I am sure he believes it is important – it is obviously a no-brainer – but the opposition does not even recognise the importance of family services with the allocation of such a portfolio.

In case we all need of reminder of why it is important, I share this case from the early help family service program. Lucy is a single mother of Chinese background with three young children, two with autism. She is a victim of family violence, isolated, struggling with mental health and financially insecure. The early help program at the children’s school supported Lucy to access the NDIS, Centrelink and a mental health plan. They also built her parenting confidence, provided material aid and linked her with a weekly peer support program. According to Lucy, ‘The early help program solved lots of my problems in a short time.’ She reports that her confidence as a parent has been restored significantly and she understands where to go for support.

Family services matter. They keep families out of the statutory child protection system. They help families through the child protection system. That is why we have a portfolio for it and invest in it.