A New Chapter: Understanding the Decommissioning of NSW's Family Preservation Programs

The New South Wales (NSW) Government is undertaking a significant transformation of its Family Preservation services, shifting from the current suite of programs to a newly designed, evidence-based, and culturally responsive system. This transition involves decommissioning existing programs and introducing new models aimed at better supporting families and children across the state.

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has announced that, effective from 1 April 2026, it will cease commissioning several existing Family Preservation programs, including Brighter Futures, Youth Hope, Intensive Family Preservation, Resilient Families, Intensive Family Based Services, and the Permanency Support Program – Family Preservation (PSP-FP) . This decision follows extensive evaluations indicating that these programs had inconsistent investment in implementation and lacked dedicated resources, which hindered their effectiveness.

Introducing the New Models

In place of the decommissioned programs, DCJ will implement new service models designed to be more effective and culturally appropriate. The key models include:

Families Together: A model aimed at providing integrated support to families to prevent the need for statutory intervention

Aboriginal Family Preservation: Developed in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and AbSec, this model focuses on culturally safe practices to support Aboriginal families.

Evidence-Based Models: Including Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN), Functional Family Therapy - Child Welfare (FFT-CW), these models are grounded in research and have demonstrated effectiveness in supporting families.

To support these new models, the NSW Government has committed over $900 million over five years, with a significant portion—approximately $350 million—allocated directly to ACCOs to ensure culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal children and families.

Sector Engagement and Feedback

The transition has involved consultation with various stakeholders, including service providers and peak bodies. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the clarity and communication of the new models. For instance, a session convened by Fams highlighted the absence of critical details and limited engagement opportunities as core concerns among sector representatives.victimsservices.justice.nsw.gov.au+3fams.asn.au+3fams.asn.au+3

In response, DCJ has committed to a transparent and collaborative recommissioning process, emphasising the importance of partnership with the sector to ensure the successful implementation of the new models. dcj.nsw.gov.au+1fams.asn.au+1

Looking Ahead

The recommissioning process is a significant step towards enhancing the effectiveness of Family Preservation services in NSW. By focusing on evidence-based and culturally responsive models, the NSW Government aims to provide better support for families, reduce the need for out-of-home care, and ensure the safety and well-being of children across the state. dcj.nsw.gov.au+3acwa.asn.au+32019folbigginquiry.dcj.nsw.gov.au+3

Service providers and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the ongoing consultation processes and prepare for the upcoming changes to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for families in need.

For more detailed information on the recommissioning process and the new service models, please refer to the Redesigning Family Preservation in NSW page on the DCJ website.