Community Development Minister Eric Ripper today announced the proposed formation of two new agencies as a result of the restructure and amalgamation of the Department for Community Services and the Office of the Family.
Detailed recommendations for the structure of the new agencies were presented to the Minister earlier this week.
A new Department for Community Development will be a major provider of services for children, young people, families and communities throughout Western Australia.
"DCD will provide an increased focus on prevention through the development of early intervention programs which identify and respond to those members of our community at risk. It will also operate universal programs such as services to four-year-old children, which promote equality of opportunity.
"In co-operation with local communities, DCD will contribute to building a safer and more just society," Mr Ripper said.
Services provided by DCD will be planned and delivered at the local level to ensure that local needs are met in the most appropriate manner.
A separate Youth Justice Bureau will concentrate on co-ordinating preventive measures across Government departments and agencies and implement rehabilitative services and children's court orders.
"The Government has already developed a comprehensive range of strategies to reduce juvenile crime," Mr Ripper said.
"The work of the bureau will concentrate on the formation and implementation of early intervention and prevention programs, rehabilitation, isolation of the most serious repeat offenders and other initiatives designed to give more consideration to victims."
Mr Ripper, who is also Minister for the Family and Disability Services, said his departments would administer the major part of the Government's programs under the Social Advantage strategy as about two thirds of this package would be delivered through the recently restructured portfolio areas.
