Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Department, State Government of Queensland

The Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs was formed through the amalgamation of the Department of Community Services and Ethnic Affairs and the Department of Family Services on 7 December 1989. A separate division of the Department was created called the Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Department to have a supportive rather than directive role within the Aborginal community. The department had responsibility of correctional services for young offenders.

On 25 Jan 1996 the Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs became the Department of Family and Community Services.

The Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs was formed through the amalgamation of the Department of Community Services and Ethnic Affairs and the Department of Family Services on 7 December 1989. The Aboriginal and Islander Affairs became a division within the Department with the specific goal of full participation, recognition and self-determination for Aboriginal and Islander people, and fostering reconciliation, highlighting a supportive rather than a directive role for the Division.

Functions:

• Services for people with intellectual disabilities
• Adoption services
• Crisis intervention
• Protection against child abuse and neglect
• Licensing for providers of children services
• Correctional services for young offenders
• Legislation, policy and support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities
• Planning and co-ordinating of social infrastructure
• Special Programs consultancy for groups
• Financial assistance for sevices planning
• Monitoring of outcomes and standards of accountability
• Social problems awareness and education

Administrative Arrangements:

The Director General was in charge of four major Divisions: Protective Services and Juvenile Justice, Community Services Development, Intellectual Disability Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, all of them supporting Regional Offices and special branches.

By 1995 the structure had changed again and the Director General managed a Bureau of Ethnic Affairs, the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Finance and Organisational Services, Information Services, and three Divisions: Community Services Development, Intellectual Disability Services, Protective Services and Juvenile Justice.

Abolition:

On 25 Jan 1996 the Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs briefly became the Department of Family and Community Services.