Interagency MOUs
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been established to provide a framework to support children and young people in care to access the best possible services via collaboration between government and non-government agencies.
Each MOU sets out the way agencies and Community Services will work together with other government agencies to provide services to children and young people in care.
MOU with Department of Education & Communities
Provides a framework for meeting the educational needs of children and young people in statutory care. It includes development of an education plan for all children and young people enrolled in NSW government schools. This work is supported by OOHC Education Coordinators in each Community Services region.
Similarly, MOUs have been developed with private education providers through the:
Provides for health screening and assessments, intervention and review for children and young people entering care. The Health Pathway outlines roles and responsibilities for all parties and is supported by local OOHC Health Coordinators in each local health district.
MOU with Ageing, Disability & Home Care
provides the principles for collaborative assessment, planning and service delivery for any child or young person in care with a disability.
Developed to support the collaborative work occurring between the agencies and the local Information, Referral and Intake Teams in each Community Services region, which are the initial point of contact for Ageing, Disability & Home Care (ADHC) services.
MOU with Department of Justice
Commits both departments to work together to provide a seamless service to clients and work collaboratively to meet their complex needs. Outlines the joint services provided for children and young people who are shared clients.
Protocol between Communities and Justice and the NSW Public Guardian
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and the NSW Public Guardian have signed a protocol to assist young people in out-of-home care experience a smooth transition from statutory out-of-home care to adult disability services. The protocol allows for the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to appoint the Public Guardian with an Advocacy function for a young person who:
- has reached 16 years of age
- is under the parental responsibility of the Minister for Families and Community services
- has impaired decision-making capacity because of a disability
- has no other person available and suitable to act in that role or if there is conflicting views about the young person’s future care and support arrangements.
Further information about identifying eligible young people and the application process is contained in Advocacy for young people with disability and decision-making impairment fact sheet and Public Guardian with an Advocacy function: NGO Checklist for applications.