Page 2456 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 June 1994
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MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
QUESTION NO. 1315
Florey House
MR CORNWELL: Asked the Minister for Housing and Community Services -
(1) Is it a fact that a property at No. 1 Edman Close Florey, originally purchased for the Family Services Bureau, was sold in 1992 because Family Services "decided they didn't need it" (The Canberra Times, 2 June 1992).
(2) How much did the property sell for.
(3) Is another property now being built or purchased for the same or similar purposes as (1) and if so, where.
(4) What is the cost of this second property.
(5) Why is it being built or purchased.
MR LAMONT. The answer to the Members question is as follows -
(1) The property at No. 1 Edman Close, Florey - "Florey House" was not purchased, it was constructed in 1987-88. The property was used to provide care, in a residential setting, for children with difficult behavioural problems who were unable to be cared for by other foster or residential care programs at that time.
In May 1990, a review of substitute care services initiated by Family Services Branch was completed by Bruce Callaghan and Associates. The Review highlighted the unusually high dependence on residential care in the ACT compared to the situation interstate as well as overseas. Professional opinion in the field advocated the provision of quality family based care, which offers the child a range of normal family and community experiences, for children who are unable to remain with their families. Foster care was therefore preferable to residential care and should be used wherever appropriate. As a result of the review, Family Services Branch, in consultation with the funded substitute care agencies in the ACT, took steps to address this imbalance.
The closure of Florey House was in line with the new directions in substitute care taken by Family Services Branch.
(2) The property was sold for $195,000.00.
(3, 4, 5) No.
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