Forced Adoption Support Services

The following questions and answers are specific to this funding round. Please also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page for general questions about applying for DSS grants.

New questions are added to the end of this document.

  1. We are a peer support and/or advocacy organisation. Can we apply for funding?

Yes, provided you meet the eligibility requirements described at Section 2.3 of the Families and Children Programme Guidelines Overview.

  1. Are consortium and partnerships able to apply?

Yes. The Department encourages consortium and partnership arrangements. Please specify if you intend to deliver the services as a consortium at Question 4 of the Application. In addition, you may wish to provide information about these arrangements in responses to the Selection Criteria (questions 10-14 of the Application form).

  1. What does ‘community area’ mean (Part 4: Question 7 of the application form)?

For Forced Adoption Support Services, this refers to the states and/or territories where the applicant is applying to deliver the services. Multiple states and territories can be selected if you are applying to deliver services in more than one state or territory. Note that the category ‘other’ is not applicable for the Forced Adoption Support Services.

  1. Do the Forced Adoption Support Services have to be delivered across the whole state or territory?

Services must be available to people affected by forced adoptions within the whole state or territory, although the service delivery mechanism may differ depending on geographical considerations. Applicants should describe their approach in responses to the Selection Criteria (questions 10-14 of the Application form).

  1. Can our organisation apply to deliver services in multiple states and/or territories?

Yes. Applicants can apply to deliver services in multiple states and territories and should select each state where they are applying to deliver services at question 7 in their Application. In addition, the organisation will need to describe their approach to delivering the services in responses to the Selection Criteria (questions 10-14 of the Application form). This should include how they will develop and maintain relationships with the target group and other relevant service systems in each state and territory.

  1. How much funding can our organisation apply for?

Up to $1.3 million is available each year for Forced Adoption Support Services to 30 June 2017.

The table below gives an indication of the funding amounts for each jurisdiction, based on population demographics and a minimum funding amount.

State or Territory / Proposed funding allocation
ACT / $20,000
NSW / $420,300
NT / $20,000
QLD / $254,300
SA / $102,400
TAS / $32,600
VIC / $320,800
WA / $129,600
TOTAL / $1,300,000

Applicants need to be clear about how they intend to use the funding and provide an indicative annual budget at Question 8 in their Application. This can be expanded at Question 11 in the Application, which asks for information about value for money.

  1. What do you mean when you refer to ‘funded Activity’ in the selection criteria?

In the selection criteria, the term ‘funded activity’ refers to Forced Adoption Support Services.

  1. What do you mean when you refer to ‘chosen communities’ in the selection criteria?

We are referring to the service coverage area you have indicated that you will deliver services to in your application. In the case of the Forced Adoption Support Service/s, this will be at the state and territory level.

  1. What do you mean when you refer to ‘Target Group’ in the selection criteria?

Generally Target Group refers to ‘clients’ - the people or organisations you are assisting. For example, Forced Adoption Support Services will deliver services to clients who are affected by forced adoptions.

  1. Are the Forced Adoption Support Services only for people directly involved in the adoption ie mothers and persons who were adopted?

No. However, providers should prioritise services on those most directly involved, and provide additional services to wider family members through effective warm referrals to other relevant providers.

  1. Can our organisation apply for funding if it has been involved with, or is currently, arranging adoptions?

Yes. Providers of past and current adoptions can apply to deliver Forced Adoption Support Services provided they meet the eligibility requirements described at Section 2.3 in the Families and Children Programme Guidelines Overview. Applicants need to demonstrate independence from organisations and individuals that may have been involved with past policies and practices which resulted in forced adoptions. Applicants should describe how they intend to demonstrate this independence at Question 14 in the Application.

  1. Can we apply for funding if we are already delivering other post-adoption support or services under the Department of Social Services?

Yes. It is intended that the Forced Adoption Support Services will complement and enhance existing services. Organisations already receiving funding from the Department, other Commonwealth Government agency or State and Territory funding sources can apply. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements described at Section 2.3 in the Families and Children Programme Guidelines.

  1. The Operational Guidelines indicate that DSS will develop standards. Will these standards apply to all post-adoption support services?

The standards will be developed in collaboration with the Forced Adoption Support Services and are intended to be empirically-based and have a practice focus. DSS will require the Forced Adoption Support Services to comply with the standards, once they have been developed. Though DSS cannot impose the same requirements on organisations it does not fund, the standards will be widely circulated and available for all to use to help improve the broader service response for people affected by forced adoptions.

  1. What support will the Department of Social Services provide in their coordination role?

As described in the Forced Adoption Support Services Operational Guidelines, the Department of Social Services (DSS) will play a coordination role to ensure national consistency of service delivery across the states and territories. To facilitate this, DSS will work with funded providers early in the implementation phase to identify what support tools would be useful to provide national consistency.

  1. Are therapeutic and case management services expected to be provided by Forced Adoption Support Services?

The Forced Adoption Support Services Operational Guidelines indicate that providers must deliver information, referral, support services; develop Local Networks of service providers; and, administer a small grants programme. Applicants already delivering therapeutic and case management services may describe how they could integrate these components into the Forced Adoption Support Services model, however, doing so is not a requirement of funding.

  1. Will Forced Adoption Support Services be required to help people search for records?

Information and support services can include assistance with records searching where the Forced Adoption Support Service has the capacity to do so. DSS expects that providers will be responsive to clients’ needs, even if they cannot directly provide the service. DSS recognises that effective warm referrals to other providers can mean that clients receive focussed assistance for their identified needs and issues.

  1. What is the Small Grants Programme?

Forced Adoption Support Services are required to direct between 5% - 10% of their funding to support peer support and advocacy groups. This helps recognise the valuable work of peer support and advocacy organisations, and allow them to continue their work. The Small Grants will also help build the capacity of support/advocacy organisations. The Small Grant Programme will not be used by the Forced Adoption Support Service for ‘in house’ service delivery.

It is intended that the Forced Adoption Support Services will develop Local Networks which will bring together a broad range of service providers, including support/advocacy groups. These Local Networks will make decisions about what is appropriate for Small Grant funding. The Operational Guidelines provide examples of activities.

  1. There isn’t a good relationship between my agency and some services/groups. Do we have to include them in the Local Network?

DSS recognises there are past histories and relationships between providers, support groups and people affected by forced adoptions, and that these histories can create current challenges. DSS would like to see all services/groups working together to achieve the best outcomes for people affected by forced adoptions. It is expected that Forced Adoption Support Services will encourage all relevant stakeholders to participate in the Local Networks.

  1. Where can I get more information about forced adoptions?

Further information can be found on the DSS website. This webpage has links to:

  • the report of the Senate Inquiry into former forced adoption policies and practices
  • Australian Institute of Family Studies Research Report No. 21 Past adoption experiences : National Research Study on the Service Response to Past Adoption Practices and
  • Australian Institute of Family Studies scoping study report.

New Q&As – Added 3 July 2014

  1. How much funding is available for Forced Adoption Support Services? (Added 3 July 2014)

The available funding for Forced Adoption Support Services is $1.3 million each year to 30 June 2017.For more information, please see Question 6.

  1. Can I apply for an extension to the closing date of 23 July 2014? (Added 3 July 2014)

No. To ensure fairness and equity in the selection process, all applications must be lodged by 2.00pm AEST 23 July 2014.

New Q&A – Added 7 July 2014

  1. Question 10 indicates that Forced Adoption Support Services are for those directly involved in the adoption. Why aren’t fathers included in this statement? (Added 7 July 2014)

Forced Adoption Support Services are for those directly involved, including fathers.

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