The Department of Communities was established on 1 June 2017. It performs the functions of several former government agencies, including the Department for Child Protection, Department of Housing, Disbability Services Commission, and the Department of Local Government and Communities. It includes the Child Protection and Family Support agency, through which it runs out-of-home care facilities for children. The Department of Communities Freedom of Information Unit handles requests for access to records created by Western Australian government agencies responsible for child welfare and out-of-home care.