Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals Service Framework

This Service Framework provides clear policy and operational parameters to guide the planning, delivery and monitoring of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across Victoria. The Service Framework aims to:

• Describe the minimum expectations for Local Services.
• Provide clear guidance about who Local Services are to support, services to be provided and operational requirements.
• Promote an overall service philosophy of ‘how can we help’ that results in easy to access, timely and responsive treatment, care and support.
• Enable consistency in models of care.
• Support and enable integration of Local Services with other parts of the mental health and wellbeing system, and other service providers.

Expectations set out in the Service Framework should inform the development of localised models of care and operational guidelines.

Service providers considering any substantial variation to the service model are required to consult with the department prior to implementation, confirming consistency in the service offering, equity of access and fidelity to the core functions and principles specified for Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.

As an iterative working document, the Service Framework is subject to adjustment and refinement as the service model matures. In addition, changes may be necessary to meet evolving consumer needs or respond to any interrelated or interdependent mental health and wellbeing system reforms implemented by the department.

This document is not intended to be a commissioning framework or a tender document.

Service providers can email LocalServices@health.vic.gov.au for specific operational queries.