The Department for Family and Children's Services was responsible for promoting and providing services that assisted families, individuals, groups and communities achieve their own well-being. Services were based on the principles of furthering independence, autonomy, social justice and access to opportunity. Services were provided in the areas of counselling, protection of children, financial assistance, community development, community-based centres, out-of-home and alternative care for children and youth services.

On the 1 July 2001, the Department for Family and Children's Services was replaced by the Department for Community Development.