Commissioning of Earlier Intervention and Family Support Programs 2024-25

Communities' procurement approach for EIFS programs in metropolitan and regional locations is to increase opportunities for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver services for their communities. This approach aligns with key objectives of Communities’ Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Strategy 2022-2032, the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021–2029 and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Commissioning of the Bindjareb Support Network

A tender for the Bindjareb Support Network (BSN) has recently been advertised.

This new service builds on the existing Earlier Intervention and Family Support (EIFS) services in the Bindjareb region – the Aboriginal In-home Support Service and the Intensive Family Support Service.

The BSN is a network of support services in the Bindjareb region that supports both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families and eligible young people, in their local community who are experiencing complex challenges and are vulnerable to involvement with the child protection system.

The BSN links families into support services, including the development of their natural support networks and links to wider community and mainstream services that encourage and assist families to thrive in their communities.

The BSN will be led by one Service Provider. If the successful Respondent is a non-ACCO, they must develop a formal partnership or sub-contacting arrangement with an ACCO. Through this partnership, the BSN aims to be trauma-informed and culturally safe to provide appropriate services that work with families or individuals to support their cultural needs.

The tender process is now open and will be closing on 2 September 2025. Service providers are encouraged to apply via this link:

Tenders WA | Display Tender DOC202454129

It is expected that the BSN will commence service delivery in early 2026.

IFSS contracts awarded

Contracts for the Intensive Family Support Service (IFSS) were awarded to the following organisations in July 2025:

IFSS Metro

IFSS Regional

The IFSS is an intensive in-home support service that operates in 14 metropolitan and regional locations for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families. The IFSS is delivered by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) or in partnership with an ACCO to provide culturally appropriate services that prioritise the needs of Aboriginal families.

The IFSS is due to commence service delivery under the new providers in December 2025.

Family Support Network Contracts awarded

The South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) has been awarded a five-year service contract to deliver the Regional Family Support Hub (the Hub) in the South West.  

SWAMS is a Bunbury-based ACCO which has delivered crucial services to Noongar people across the South West since 1997.  

The Hub provides intensive support to families facing complex challenges and those at risk of involvement with the child protection system. It is an integrated service system model comprised of three service streams, providing increasing levels of support according to the needs of families. The Hub also operates in the East Kimberley and the Pilbara.

Communities will work closely with SWAMS to support the transition for families currently engaged with this service.

The Family Support Networks (FSNs) is a diversionary Perth metropolitan based service that operates in four corridors. The FSN has two streams of service: Assessment and Coordination (A&C) and Intensive Case Management (ICM).  

In April 2025, Communities awarded FSN contracts to the following organisations:

• Wungening Aboriginal Corporation in the Cannington/Armadale corridor
• Communicare Group Ltd in partnership with Langford Aboriginal Association Inc and Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation for the Fremantle/Rockingham corridor
• Mercy Community Services Limited in partnership with Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Community (Aboriginal Corporation) in the Mirrabooka/Joondalup corridor
• Parkerville Children and Youth Care Inc in partnership with Koya Aboriginal Corporation (Koya) in the Perth/Midland corridor

Following a period of transition, the FSNs are due to commence service delivery under the new providers in July 2025.

Background on the commissioning process

In 2024, information on the EIFS commissioning was shared with stakeholders at the beginning of the Tender process, outlining details on the procurement approach, proposed timelines, activities, and information on how to prepare for the upcoming Tenders.

• A transcript of the presentation is available here.
• A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available here.

FAQs

Further Information about the EIFS Commissioning can also be found on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

If you have any additional questions that have not been addressed in the FAQs, please contact the EIFS Project Team at EarlierInterventionandFamilySupport@communities.wa.gov.au.