Families across WA will continue to have greater access to intensive in-home support as part of efforts to keep children safe at home and reduce the number entering out-of-home care.
The State Government-funded Intensive Family Support Service (IFSS) will be delivered by MercyCare, with:
- A brand-new program in Perth’s northern suburbs delivered in partnership with Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, and
- The existing Mid West and Gascoyne program transitioning to MercyCare and delivered in partnership with Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation.
The initiative comes as the number of WA children entering care continues to rise.
The Department of Communities Child Protection Activity Report 2022–23 shows there are 352 children in care in Joondalup, 360 in Mirrabooka and 250 in the Mid West and Gascoyne.
Unlike short, office-based interventions, IFSS is delivered in the home over an extended period.Skilled staff will spend hours each week with families, helping with everyday routines such as getting children to school, managing household tasks, budgeting and connecting with housing and health services.
Suzanne Caren, General Manager of Youth, Wellbeing and Accommodation Services at MercyCare, said intensive support was a vital step in preventing children from unnecessarily entering the care system.
“Families across WA are under enormous pressure right now, from rising housing costs and financial stress to limited access to childcare,” she said.
“Without the right support, families can become isolated and overwhelmed, and that’s when children are most at risk of entering care.”
Both programs will be delivered under culturally safe, community-led frameworks: Wadjak Northside’s Moorditj Moort Danjo Koorliny (Strong Families Walking Together) Framework in Perth’s north, and Bundiyarra’s Family Framework in the Mid West and Gascoyne.
The new metro service and the transitioned Mid West service will launch on 20 October 2025 and will be available via referral from the Department of Communities.
Find out more about Mirabooka and Joondalup Intensive Family Support Services
Find out more about Mid-West and Gascoyne Intensive Family Support Services
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