The Department for Child Protection provides services to children and young people and at-risk individuals and families in Western Australia.

In addition, the Department acknowledges that neither the Department nor the not for profit community based sector can impart the essential supports and services necessary in isolation from each other.  The Department recognises and values the resources, expertise and perspectives of the Sector and acknowledges that placing the needs of the Western Australian community at the forefront is imperative.

Therefore the Department is committed to funding and purchasing services from the Sector and local government authorities in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the community.  This ensures a cost effective and flexible approach to strengthen local communities.    

How we fund services

Essentially the Department applies two approaches to funding services.

1. Requests for Proposal

Service agreements for new or replacement services are routinely tendered through an open Request for Proposal (RFP) process.  Generally 3 year Service Agreements (contracts) are entered into with successful tenderers.

2. Preferred Service Providers

To retain existing services through current service providers the Department uses a Preferred Service Provider (PSP) approach.  This reduces the need for an open tender process and consequently reduces the costs and service disruption involved in a tender process.

Information on the PSP approach can be found on page 15 of the WA Government’s Funding and Purchasing Community Services policy

The Department applies this approach through its Purchasing Quality Services (PQS) Strategy.

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