A NEW initiative spearheaded by St Patricks’s in Fremantle has the potential to keep hundreds of families away from the gaze of child protection bureaucrats, says WA child protection minister Helen Morton.

Launching the Fremantle Family Support Network at the integrated health facility at Cockburn Central, Ms Morton says the concept’s introduction in Armadale has resulted in 300 fewer complaints about child neglect or abuse to authorities in one year.

“This is one of the most valuable new initiatives that family services has come up with in years,” Mrs Morton said.

The network will be a one-stop shop where families experiencing difficulties can get access to 12 government and non-profit community agencies, says St Patrick’s Community Support Service chair Pat Colgan.

• WA child protection minister Helen Morton launches the Network.

“Families will tell their story once, and only once,” Dr Colgan says, adding that having to parrot the same problem over and over while finding help can be off-putting for families.

With the mining boom off the boil, he says many families face tough times financially and emotionally.

“Events can overwhelm a family and leave them shattered,” Dr Colgan says.

Network manager Bev Jowle says they’ve got a “no-wrong-door policy”.

“[That] means that regardless of the issue the family is experiencing we can find them the help they need and support them through the process.”

Ms Jowle says they’ll continue to expand the number of agencies in the alliance.

So far they cover mental health, family violence, finances, drug and alcohol addiction, legal issues, family disputes, school problems and a range of others.

The network covers an area from Cottesloe through to Henderson and east out to Brentwood. It can be contacted on 1300 951 190 or via http://www.wafsn.org.au.

by STEVE GRANT