Improving outcomes for the most vulnerable

Last published on 17 Nov 2020 

The NSW Government is investing almost $7 billion, as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget, to help people across the State break the cycle of disadvantage.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the Budget reinforced the Government’s commitment to early intervention services and evidence-based programs, which have proven to deliver great outcomes.

“This Budget doubles-down on the work we are doing to address longstanding social challenges in homelessness, child protection and youth justice,” Mr Ward said.

“This Budget also aims to prevent and respond to the ongoing pressures of the pandemic, by investing in support for the most vulnerable people in our community.

“These are essential investments to deliver quality services for those most in need.”

The NSW Government will invest $29 million over two years to expand the Together Home initiative, to help rough sleepers into secure housing and break the cycle of homelessness. This expansion of Together Home is on top of $1.1 billion over four years for specialist homelessness services.

This year, NSW will invest $3.5 billion in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, enabling people living with disability in NSW to receive the best possible support.

Reinforcing the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting all people with disability, the Budget commits more than $112 million over four years to fund disability advocacy programs and inclusion services.

A further $17 million will be invested to boost jobs in the rapidly growing disability support sector, to ensure service providers can attract and upskill staff.

Investment in evidence-based early intervention services is the cornerstone of support
for vulnerable children and families in this year’s Budget, with a total of $1.4 billion in 2020-21 to support the safety and welfare of vulnerable children, which includes initiatives to help drive down the number of children entering out-of-home care.

The Budget also includes more than $14 million over four years to continue the Government’s reform of the youth justice system, with investments to strengthen security and infrastructure in the State’s six centres.

Another $8.6 million will be invested in early intervention programs that help reduce
youth crime and divert young people away from the criminal justice system.