Key information
- We are committed to ensuring children and young people in out of home care have the best opportunity to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
- In 2021, the Tasmanian Government committed to give priority access to government services and supports for children and young people in care under the Sure Start initiative.
- $2 million over four years has been provided for this initiative, aimed at improving wellbeing and learning outcomes for children and young people in care and prioritising access to government services
- DECYP has also set out its priorities to children and young people under the Sure Start Action Plan (PDF, 1.90 MB).
The Sure Start initiative is a key action of the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy: It Takes a Tasmanian Village (the Strategy). It builds on the work of Strong Families Safe Kids: Next Steps Action Plan (2021-2023).
The Strategy sets out the Tasmanian Government’s vision for all children and young people to thrive and grow in supportive communities.
A key priority of the Strategy is that government agencies work in closer collaboration to deliver positive change for vulnerable children and young people.
An Interagency Care Team Model (the Model) will be trialled over the next 12 months. This Model aims to reduce barriers to critical government services and create a system of support for Tasmania’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Under the Model, all government agencies involved in the care or services of children and young people will meet regularly through an Interagency Directors’ Care Team (IDCT). This team includes representatives from:
- Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP)
- Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPaC)
- Department of Justice (DoJ)
- Department of Health (DoH)
- Department for Police, Fire and Emergency Management (DPFEM)
- Homes Tasmania (HT)
To find out more about what DECYP is doing, you can read the Sure Start Action Plan (PDF, 1.90 MB), which sets out our commitment to support children and young people in out of home care.
For more information, please contact surestart@decyp.tas.gov.au.
Supporting documentation
- Sure Start Action Plan (PDF, 1.90 MB)
- Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy: It Takes a Tasmanian Village
- Strong Families Safe Kids: Next Steps Action Plan (2021-2023)