An online ChildStory project is being upgraded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services. This initiative streamlines information exchange between organisations involved in childrens’ welfare.

The NSW Family and Community Services is upgrading its online ChildStory program to share real-time information between carers, families, and others in the network. This project builds on a $100 million ChildStory initiative. This program is enabling caseworkers to spend more time in the field, with access to mobile apps, and on-line case tracking features. 

The department has selected solutions provider MuleSoft to replace several IT systems, while creating a fully-integrated platform to support the state-wide ChildStory program. This program replaces the state’s child protection IT infrastructure, according to program director, Lisa Alonso Love.

Centre of the story

She said creating an integrated IT system places the child at the centre of their story. This story, shared online or using mobile apps, helps connect the network of family, carers, caseworkers and service providers. These care-givers can work in a more interactive environment to help keep a child safe.

The ChildStory project offers a great opportunity to provide children, families, caseworkers and partners with the tools to bring them together, added Love. This project is about gathering the stories of children that are vulnerable and need protection services.

The contract with MuleSoft is helping the department access and share information across different platforms and devices. This is being done by connecting applications, data and devices, while supporting a modular and agile strategy. The project is supported by a case management system.

When finalised, ChildStory will enable caseworkers to spend more time in the field. This involves taking care of children and affected families. The goal is ensuring that service provider organisations can share information more quickly, while coordinating the overall care.

The department’s “digital transformation journey” draws on real-time decision-making tools and apps. This supports collaboration between the key stakeholders. They are directly involved in a child’s life, and can leverage online, mobile and cloud services to manage the often complex, or multi-layered casework programs. These often span different departments, care-givers or law enforcement entitites.

Among the platforms, the department is leveraging a hybrid cloud. This access decreases the complexity of connecting multiple government systems. It also provides real-time intelligence for caseworkers, increasingly on the move.

Real-time data intelligence is also shared with police, education and health departments. The aim is to resolve cases more quickly, and manage a highly-pressured workload.