Education

Implementation of child and family centres
Child and family centres (CFCs) provide a range of
integrated services that support families with the health
and wellbeing, learning and development of children
from birth to school age, preparing them for a healthy life
and success at school. The development and operation
of CFCs includes support for children and families
with disability.
Nine state government funded CFCs are now operating,
as of April 2013. A total of 10 centres are funded by the
state government.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission approved the
development of the George Town Child and Family Centre
as part of a HUB development on 26 July 2013.
Submissions have now been prepared for the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works
for final approval.
Two Indigenous CFCs at Bridgewater and Geeveston have
been funded by the Commonwealth. The Aboriginal CFC
that operates at Risdon Cove was supported by state
government funding of $1 million for construction.
Local Enabling Groups (LEGs) were formed to guide
the service and development of each CFC. In some
communities these are transitioning to advisory groups
to support the ongoing development of the centres
and implementation of integrated service delivery.
Centre leaders and community inclusion workers are
employed in all CFCs.
Accessible facilities
All building works and refurbishments are undertaken
in accordance with Building Code of Australia and
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requirements. The
department engaged a Professional Access Consultant to
provide specialist advice on the design of the new child
and family centres and substantial refurbishment works,
in order to establish confidence that the new works comply
with the standards.
All facilities meet the appropriate standards in place at the
time of construction. Retro-fitting occurs as facilities are
reviewed to ensure all works remain fully compliant with
current standards.
Physical impairment coordinators work in conjunction
with Facility Services to map the pathways for students
with access issues and provision is made prior to the
arrival of students where possible. Where higher level
modifications are required for the needs of a specific
individual these are also captured through the pathways
mapping process.
Where a student is relocated without notice to the
department (from the mainland for example) temporary
measures are put in place whilst permanent works are
undertaken. The department has purchased a number
of transportable ‘accessible bathroom pods’ that can be
relocated from one school to another where unexpected
circumstances arise and accessible bathroom facilities are
required urgently.
Required Reporting » Disability Framework for Action
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