Prospect Anglicare Australia
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
prospect
Anglicare Australia
prospect
Contents
Foreword 5 Echo Youth Mentoring 19 Justice and Diversion 31 SPARK Apprenticeships 40
Executive Director Echo Youth and Family Services Anglicare North Queensland Benetas
Kasy Chambers
Supporting Children heapspace Darwin 32 Person-Centred Disability
Our Network 6 and Families 20 Support 42
Anglicare NT
A National Network How we support children Supporting people with disability
and families to live valued and meaningful lives
Living Experience 34
Advocating for Change 8
Rapid Response 20 Anglicare Central Queensland Disability Employment
Anglicare Australia
Services 42
Anglicare Victoria
Residential Therapeutic EPIC Assist
Bushfire and Disaster Community 36
Recovery 10 Foyer Port Adelaide 22
The Buttery Supported Independent
Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT St John’s Youth Services
Living Accommodation 44
Community Aged Samaritans Foundation
Housing Assistance HIPPY 24 Care Hub 37
Program 12
Brotherhood of St Laurence The Willochra Home Inclusion Through
Anglicare Sydney
Technology 45
Safe Kids, Families McCusker Nurse WorkVentures
A Leader in Housing Together 26 Service 38
and Homelessness 13
AnglicareSA Amana Living 3Es to Freedom 46
Helping people on the edge
of homelessness Anglicare North Coast
Improving Mental Health Delivering Quality
and Wellbeing 28 Aged Care 39
Shelter for Women and Emergency Relief for
Children 14 Supporting thousands of Australians Providing aged care to seventy People in Need 48
to manage their mental health thousand Australians
Anglicare Southern Queensland Helping peple in times of need
Responding to Helping People Find
River to Home 16 Hoarding 29 and Keep Work 40 With Thanks 49
ac.care Anglicare Tasmania Our employment and training To our sponsors
programs help people find and
keep jobs
Women’s Service 18 Young Hearts 30 Member Directory 50
St Bart’s Anglicare WA Network contacts
Anglicare Australia Inc 1st Floor 11 Edgar St Ainslie ACT 2602 PO Box 4093 Ainslie ACT 2602 Tel: (02) 6230 1775 Fax: (02) 6230 1704 Email: anglicare@anglicare.asn.au Web: www.anglicare.asn.au Anglicare Australia is a network of independent local, state, national and international organisations linked to the Anglican Church and which share values of service, innovation, leadership and the belief that every individual has intrinsic value. Our services are delivered to Australians in partnership with them, the communities in which they live, and other like- minded organisations in those areas. Anglicare Australia has as its Mission “to partner with people, families and communities to build resilience, inclusion and justice.” Our preferred citation: Anglicare Australia. 2020. Anglicare Australia Prospect. Edition 1, 2020. Anglicare Australia: Canberra. Prospect is also available on the Anglicare Australia website at www.anglicare.asn.au Copyright 2020 Anglicare Australia. ASSN: A0034627W ARBN: 110 532 431 ABN: 95 834 198 262 Please note that where no photo credit is listed, the photo is licenced under Creative Commons. [Cover image] Anglicare Australia members provide employment and training services. Photo courtesy of EPIC Assist [Contents page] Anglicare Southern Queensland disability services. Photo courtesy of Anglicare Southern Queensland [Right] Young people photographed in front of a mural at St John’s Youth Services. The mural is by Mara Dreaming. Photo courtesy of St John’s Youth Services
Foreword
Welcome to Prospect, a whistle stop tour around
the Anglicare Australia Network, our members, our
programs and services – and most importantly, the
people we serve.
This is the first edition of Prospect, a new As a network, we resist the idea that people can
publication that showcases flagship programs be commodified or reduced to consumers. This
and services across our network. In extraordinary diminishes the rich web of our work into simple
times, it also highlights the achievements, transactions. As human beings we are better than
innovations, and sheer excellence in our service this. We are better together.
to the community as we all recover from the
unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. Better together are the individuals that make up a
community, and better together are our member
All of these services are delivered in partnership organisations. When we come together to learn
with people and communities – and they are from each other, to ensure that our services and
delivered with dignity, care, respect and hope. That responses to communities are as good as they can
is the hallmark of the Anglicare Australia Network. possibly be, we are stronger as a national network.
Prospect also tells the story of the people who use The pages of Prospect offer a glimpse into
our services and the journeys they share with us. how Anglicare Australia members enrich their
In turn, these stories show the dedication of the communities, responding to needs at a local level
staff and volunteers across the Anglicare Australia – while using the strength of the national network,
Network. so that we can all be better together.
Reading these, and stories like them, reminds me
that people are the experts in their own lives. That
is what informs Anglicare Australia’s own work –
our advocacy, research, media statements, and the
tools we develop and use.
Anglicare Australia’s national voice is only strong
because it is based on the real experiences of each
of our member organisations and the people they
work with. These are ordinary people working
through life transitions or difficult periods, who
allow Anglicare Australia Network members in to
share those times. Because of them, our national
voice is credible and has integrity, keeping the faith
of the stories and experiences told to us and shared Kasy Chambers
with us. Executive Director
Photo courtesy of Anglicare Southern Queensland
Our Network
Anglicare Australia is a network of independent With a combined expenditure of $1.82 billion, Some agencies focus on a single program in one
local, state, national and international and a workforce of over twenty thousand staff community, while others provide a wide range
organisations that are linked to the Anglican and nine thousand volunteers, the Anglicare of services across an entire State or Territory and
Church and joined by values of service, Australia Network contributes to more than beyond. Some of our member organisations
innovation, leadership and the Christian faith fifty service areas in the Australian community. have served their communities for over a
that every individual has intrinsic value. Twenty- Our services are delivered to four hundred hundred and sixty years.
nine Anglicare Australia members are located and fifty thousand people each year, reaching
across every Australian State and Territory, along over a million Australians in total. Our services Our linked histories, collective wisdom, and
with four associate members in New Zealand are delivered in partnership with people, the common passion for better lives draw us
and Papua New Guinea. communities in which they live, and other like- together powerfully in pursuit of a more just
minded organisations in those areas. Together, Australia.
Through our services and advocacy, the our members work towards a just and inclusive
Anglicare Australia Network partners with society. We are deeply engaged with our local
people, families and communities to build communities, and collectively provide every
resilience, inclusion and justice. form of community service.
Anglicare Australia | 6
A National Network
Sharing Best Practice Recognising Excellence Collaborating on Research
The Anglicare Australia National Conference, The Anglicare Australia National Awards for Our members pride themselves on evidence-
sponsored by HESTA Super Fund, is a key plank Innovation and Excellence, sponsored by Ansvar based practice, and the Anglicare Australia
of our network’s calendar. It attracts attendees Insurance, celebrate outstanding programs and Network regularly collaborates to produce
from around Australia and beyond. achievements across our network. sector-leading research.
A consistent highlight of the conference are The National Awards program affirms the Each year, we come together to release the
the workshops, drawn from Anglicare Australia contribution of Anglicare Australia members to Rental Affordability Snapshot. This is a snapshot
members across the network. They provide an the health and wellbeing of not only individuals, of thousands of properties listed for rent on
opportunity to exchange information, explore but also Australian society. They recognise a sample weekend. We test whether each
key issues facing our services, and showcase innovation and excellence across our network. property is affordable and suitable for people
successes. The awards also celebrate the invaluable low incomes. The Snapshot is widely cited in the
contribution of volunteers, who make up a third housing debate and secures wall-to-wall media
Each year, these presentations explore cutting of our workforce across the country. coverage each year.
edge services, client experience, innovation
in program design and delivery, industry- An independent judging panel reviews the The network also collaborates on standalone
leading research, and evaluations of projects entries, and the winners are announced at a research projects. For example, Our Paying the
and programs. This allows leaders from across ceremony held each year in September. Winners Price of Welfare Reform report was a landmark
the Anglicare Australia Network to share and highly commended entries are profiled study on how staff and clients are affected
information and learn from one another. throughout the year in the Aspect newsletter. by service automation. The network has also
partnered with HESTA Super Fund to produce
Our conference also attracts influential Anglicare Australia also produces a handbook Quality Jobs and Best Practice in Home Care, a
keynotes, providing access to high-profile featuring all of the outstanding entries. This study on how to improve the quality of home
speakers. Past speakers include commentator is made available on the Anglicare Australia care. These projects give us a truly national
Jane Caro AM, former Deputy Prime Minister website, so that not only the winners, but all research profile based on local expertise. 1
Kim Beazley AC, former Leader of the of the nominated members and volunteers are
Opposition Brendan Nelson AO, 2016 Australian given well-deserved recognition. This makes the [Above left] Anglicare Australia’s National Conference.
of the Year General David Morrison AO, social Awards an important opportunity to learn from Photo credit: Maiy Azize
researcher and commentator Professor Hugh each other. [Above centre] A ceremony for the Anglicare Australia National
Mackay AO, retired High Court Justice Michael Awards for Innovation and Excellence.
Photo credit: Steve Cordes
Kirby AC CMG, and many more.
[Above right] An event for the Home Stretch campaign.
Photo courtesy of Anglicare Victoria
Prospect | 7
Anglicare Australia’s first
strategic goal is to influence
social and economic policy
across Australia with a strong
prophetic voice. This goal is
central to our work as we seek
real changes on behalf of the
people we serve, informed by
their own experience.
It is their experiences that have informed all of
our flagship projects, including our Rental
Affordability Snapshot, our Jobs Availability
Snapshot, our Australia Fair Series, and other
reports and research that we produce in
partnership with our members.
Anglicare Australia | 8
Advocating for Change
Anglicare Australia
Each year, the Rental Affordability Snapshot Anglicare Australia also releases special reports continue to be a source of intelligence sharing
confirms what many Australians already know on topical issues. For example, our Cost of and opportunity, with most of the networks
– that our cities are now places where only Privilege report measured the impact of tax conducting regular meetings and mini-
the very wealthy can avoid housing stress. Our concessions and loopholes, starting a vital conferences. These networks, along with study
annual Jobs Availability Snapshot shows how conversation about the fairness of our tax tours, conferences, and other collaborative
many disadvantaged job seekers there are for system. Our seminal work on public attitudes activities allow us to learn from different
every vacancy at their skill level. In some years in The Real Story surveyed Australian attitudes experiences across the country of serving our
and some parts of the country, that number is as towards poverty and welfare. And we are a communities.
high as twelve. partner in the annual Poverty and Inequality
report series, with the Australian Council of Social This picks up on another theme that runs
Anglicare Australia’s newest research program Service and the University of New South Wales. through all of our work – that of hearing the
is the Australia Fair Series. The Australia Fair voices of the people we serve. It is by listening
Series features a new report each year, offering Anglicare Australia also has a strong focus on that we make those who use our services more
insights into issues facing the Anglicare strengthening the network – another plank of visible in society. Listening is how we learn, how
Australia Network and those who we serve. our strategic plan. We facilitate special interest we shape our advocacy, and how we build a
Together the reports in this series paint a picture networks, which allow for key staff members better place for us all. 1
of the issues facing Australia, and offer solutions from across the network to connect with
to tackle them. and learn from each other. Eighteen special
[Opposite page] Ministers and MPs join the Anglicare Australia
interest networks work across major areas of CEO Advocacy Day at Parliament House.
service, such as clinical care and governance, Photo credit: Maiy Azize
mental health, and research. The networks [Above] Anglicare Australia launches the Rental Affordability
Snapshot.
Photo courtesy of Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT
Prospect | 9
Anglicare Australia | 10
Bushfire and Disaster Recovery
Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT
Anglicare NSW South, NSW evacuated across NSW with little warning while To aid longer-term recovery, Community
out of control fires destroyed hundreds of family Recovery Workers – who are local residents
West and ACT runs a range of homes. of fire effected communities – have been
programs in the ACT and across employed in Batlow, the Eden hinterland,
As the bushfires burned, Anglicare NSW South, Bega, Cobargo and in the Eurobodalla. Using
much of rural NSW. NSW West and ACT was at the forefront of their local knowledge and networks, these
the response. Throughout the fire-affected workers are also distributing grants from the
Their key portfolios include early learning,
communities, they led local responses with Commonwealth Government to their fire
youth and family services, disability services,
disaster recovery volunteers serving alongside affected neighbours. Other local community
emergency relief, housing and homelessness,
other agencies and emergency services at services, such as a pop-up outlet established
out-of-home care, and retirement living. They
evacuation centres around NSW and the ACT. by staff and volunteers from Anglicare’s
also operate a Registered Training Organisation
Eurobodalla Homelessness Support Service in
and a specialised youth health service.
These disaster volunteers worked alongside Moruya, have helped their local communities
community organisations and emergency with food hampers to help reduce the pressure
Since the Canberra bushfires in 2003, disaster
services to support those who were affected caused by rising food, rent and fuel prices. This
recovery has become a key part of their work.
by the fires. Volunteers included clergy, included toiletries, petrol, and dignity bags.
Disaster recovery is a coordinated response by
parishioners from across the region, and the
trained and accredited volunteers to disasters
organisation’s own staff. One team alone, from A key feature of these disaster recovery efforts
such as floods, fires, storms and major accidents.
the Bateman’s Bay Evacuation Centre, cared for is that they are embedded in local communities
over 2,500 evacuees. across Australia. Their presence extends far
Disaster recovery volunteers support people
beyond delivering services to community
through outreach and doorknocking in fire
Given the scale of this disaster, Anglicare NSW building and leadership. They draw on local
affected communities, and through Evacuation
South, NSW West and ACT has deepened the volunteers and employ local people who can act
and Recovery Centres. Evacuation centres
extent of its disaster recovery work. As well as as first responders to those in need – and help
offer basic care and comfort, practical support,
providing financial relief in the wake of the 2020 plan the longer-term recovery process across
information sharing, referrals to other services,
bushfire season, they distributed non-perishable their communities.
and essential clothing and toiletry items where
1
food, toiletries, and baby supplies to meet
needed. Disaster recovery volunteers are also
the urgent needs of displaced people. Food
called on to assist our community partners in [Opposite] Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT staff
donations were collected help families with photographed with disaster recovery volunteers in the wake of
their provision of support services.
their immediate needs. Taking away the burden the 2019/20 bushfires.
of grocery costs helps families to focus finances Photo courtesy of Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT
As Australia’s weather becomes more extreme
and attention on recovery and rebuilding. This is
and disasters become more frequent, the
especially important for people who are already
disaster recovery program has become more
assisted by Anglicare services. For example,
and more critical. For example, the summer of
foster carers were hit hard by the fires. Some
2020 saw an unprecedented and devastating
were forced to leave their homes while still
bushfire season. Thousands of people were
caring for vulnerable and traumatised children.
Prospect | 11Housing Assistance Program
Anglicare Sydney
Anglicare Sydney provides through their Housing Assistance Program. The standard of living, and community and family
program began in 2012. It provides low cost connectedness. Those who are part of the
services to people in Greater housing with secure life tenancies to people program have reported lower levels of stress
Sydney, the Illawarra, Southern who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. and anxiety and a greater sense of achievement
Old sites such as pubs, stations, old bank in life.
Highlands and Shoalhaven. buildings, empty land and guest houses have
been converted into affordable accommodation Entwined in the success of the program is
Their work includes aged care, disaster recovery,
with guaranteed tenancy for life. There are the sustainability of this accommodation
emergency assistance, mental health, housing
currently five sites running in Chippendale, with the guarantee of life tenancy. Anglicare
services, foster care and adoption. Over many
Derby Street Penrith, The Cecil, Taverner’s Hill, Sydney’s research and evaluation shows that
years, Anglicare Sydney has seen a growing
and a newly opened site at The Windsor. Along this is leading to high levels of satisfaction and
shortage in affordable rentals for people on low
with accommodation, the program offers strengthened communities. Crucially, it has
incomes. For people who are already vulnerable,
tailored support and access to services to offered security to older people who were at risk
the housing situation increases their financial
improve people’s lives. of homelessness.
stress and social isolation.
Many residents had issues with physical health,
These services offer much more than a house.
Building on their long history of providing stress and anxiety. They also tended to be
They offer a home, and a community. Each
affordable rental accommodation for people in socially isolated, with limited access to services
community has its own unique ‘feel’ and ways of
need, Anglicare Sydney has been offering long and virtually no leisure activities. Several years
coming together.
term affordable accommodation to older people of secure tenancy is improving their wellbeing,
Anglicare Australia | 12A Leader in Housing
and Homelessness
Each day, the Anglicare Australia Network helps people who
are homeless or on the edge of homelessness – be they
young people leaving the out-of-home care system, single
parents on low incomes, women fleeing domestic violence,
or older people.
The network offers diverse housing options and homelessness services for thirty-five
thousand Australians every year. Almost half are accessing homelessness services. These
numbers underestimate our work with people who are homeless or in housing stress,
because many access other services. People turn to the Anglicare Australia Network
when they need food, financial counselling, or emergency help to pay essential bills
because the cost of housing is so high.
The homelessness services provided by our members cover early intervention, outreach,
and crisis accommodation. Our members also manage a range of housing types,
including affordable rental properties. Some manage housing that they own, while
others provide support to help people at risk of losing their tenancy.
All of this has helped Anglicare Australia to build a strong footprint in the housing
debate. It has also added to the power of our annual Rental Affordability Snapshot, a
national report with local insights from Anglicare Australia members across the country.
For some, it is the pride they take in their Year after year, it shows that the private rental market is failing to provide affordable
garden. For others, it’s about meeting together homes for people on low incomes – a gap we try to fill with our services and tackle
to share a meal. The program currently assists through our advocacy.
over one hundred older people. Photo courtesy of Anglicare Tasmania
In addition to the Housing Assistance Program,
Anglicare Sydney’s innovative SHIFT (Support
and Housing for Families in Transition) program
offers transitional accommodation while
households seek to rebuild their lives and
move towards independence. Targeted at
families who have come to Australia as asylum
seekers or have been impacted by domestic
violence, SHIFT provides affordable housing and
additional support. Each family has a dedicated
case manager who helps them to set and meet
goals.
Prospect | 13Every day the passionate staff Today, there are approximately as many women
experiencing homelessness as there are men.
and volunteers of Anglicare Women who are sleeping rough are also
Southern Queensland are far more vulnerable than men, especially to
violence and to exploitation. Anglicare Southern
working to respond to growing Queensland is helping to tackle this with a
community demand for services. supportive accommodation program for women
and their children.
For over a hundred and forty years Anglicare
Southern Queensland has connected with Anglicare Southern Queensland offers
people on every step of their life path, Homelessness Services Supportive
responding with compassion, creativity, Accommodation for women and their children.
commitment and courage to the needs of the This provides support for single pregnant and
community members who require support. parenting women aged between sixteen and
twenty-five years with children under four
Whether it is providing nursing care and years of age, who are homeless or at risk of
domestic assistance in the home, physiotherapy homelessness.
to enable the return of mobility, emergency
accommodation for victims of domestic The Anglicare Southern Queensland team
violence, working with foster carers in the care of provides holistic support using a range of
vulnerable children, a safe caring environment services to help women rebuild their self-worth
for the elderly, skills training for young and make sustainable changes in their lives.
unemployed people or parental education and They support women to build their capacity and
counselling, Anglicare Southern Queensland develop positive parenting skills by drawing
offers the best quality support to enable people on frameworks that are trauma informed and
to live the life they want. recovery orientated. The program also follows a
‘housing first’ case management approach.
Anglicare Southern Queensland has a workforce
of almost three thousand people in Queensland Through these services, Anglicare Southern
across residential aged care, community care Queensland endeavours to empower women to
and a range of social service programs. They make their own decisions – and provide them
provide this support in partnership with with the resources they need to take control of
1
government and other organisations in response their lives.
to community needs throughout Southeast
[Opposite page] Support for single women with children under
Queensland. Through a facility in Toowong, the team delivers four years of age.
workshops and information sessions focusing [Top] Holistic support is provided to women.
Homelessness is a growing problem across the on communication and interaction between [Bottom] Anglicare Southern Queensland helps women build
State, and this has become a major focus for the women and their children. The sessions are positive parenting skills.
Photos courtesy of Anglicare Southern Queensland
Anglicare Southern Queensland. The notion designed to increase young parents’ capacity to
of homelessness can conjure up images of care for themselves and their children.
someone sleeping rough on a park bench or
lining up at a street van. However, this is just Anglicare Southern Queensland is committed to
the tip of the iceberg of the homelessness crisis providing a safe and supportive environment for
across southern Queensland. women and their children that meets their needs
and respects their life choices.
Anglicare Australia | 14Shelter for Women
and Children
Anglicare Southern Queensland
Prospect | 15River to Home
ac.care
Anglicare Australia | 16For more than thirty years, Throughout the region there are people As well as home maintenance support, the
sleeping rough, including women and children. program has helped people find furniture,
ac.care has been a provider of Some sleep in tents, on the riverbank, in their electrical supplies, employment and support for
community services to people in cars or on camping grounds. their overall health and wellbeing. The impact
of this support provides long term housing
country South Australia. Providing support during the transition into sustainability and success.
housing was identified as a key strategy by
Their services have developed in response
ac.care staff to help prevent clients from The program was a finalist in the South
to the needs of local country communities,
returning to sleeping rough. ac.care’s staff Australian Australasian Housing Institute Awards
now employing more than two hundred staff
found there was a lack of public housing in the and has been profiled by media as an innovative
and delivering over forty different programs,
Riverland and people who had been homeless response to a persistent problem.
including homelessness, foster care, family
1
faced a number of additional challenges when
and financial counselling services, along with
they secured accommodation. Many had been
programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait [Opposite page] Michelle Storry (left) and Linda Noble (right) from
homeless for a long time and didn’t know
Islander peoples. ac.care. Linda and Michelle started the River to Home project.
how to maintain a property or keep up their [Above left] Raymond Conners and Andrew Fisher are now
tenancy. tenants after four years of homelessness.
ac.care’s mission is for all country people to [Above right] Raymond Conners and Andrew Fisher, participants
have a safe home, enough money to live on, in the River to Home project.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
and strong, positive relationships. As the Photo credits: Sowaibah Hanifie for ABC Riverland
statistics show that many rough sleepers
homelessness crisis deepens, this has become a
experienced repeat episodes of homelessness,
critical area of ac.care’s work.
despite support from specialist services. ac.care’s
hope is that the mentoring program will help
ac.are’s River to Home trial program was
turn this trend around.
developed to pair homelessness service clients
in the Riverland area of South Australia with a
The program provides intense support and
mentor once they have found a home, helping
assistance to clients in a variety of ways. It
to ensure they retain their accommodation and
includes a focus on health, wellbeing, social and
avoid eviction. This is crucial to help prevent
emotional support, assistance to sustain and
people returning to homelessness.
maintain a tenancy, budgeting advice and links
to community networks.
Prospect | 17Women’s Service
St Bart’s
Photo courtesy of St Bart’s
St Bart’s helps people who find secure, stable accommodation that Case management and a range of community
provides the safety and support they need support services help the women to achieve
are homeless or at risk of to take the next step to their individual their goals. These may include improving their
homelessness achieve positive recovery. They are intensively supported by health and wellbeing, and reconnecting to their
staff, and they may spend weeks or months in family and local community. When residents are
life outcomes. supported or transitional accommodation. All ready to transition back into stable housing and
accommodation options under this program re-establish a home in the community, St Bart’s
St Bart’s employs over one hundred and fifty
are fully furnished and offer various levels of helps them find long term accommodation.
people who are committed to making a difference
support. This includes the St Bart’s Women’s Recovery support workers assist them in gaining
by delivering services that support people to
Service, the only transitional facility of its kind access to wider community services such as
cope with and recover from their experience of
in Perth. education, volunteering, and employment.
homelessness, mental health challenges, trauma
and hardship. The St Bart’s vision is to eliminate
The Women’s Service offers safe, supported The outreach support is made possible with
homelessness. Its mission is to help people who
accommodation in East Perth where the St funding from BHP. It assists women to manage
are homeless today, and prevent homelessness
Bart’s team work with women to help them their new home environment, and helps
tomorrow.
address the causes of their homelessness, regain prevent the risk of a return to homelessness.
their independence, and reconnect to their This support builds on the outreach assistance
St Bart’s offers aged care, tenancy and property
community and other support services. Recently provided in previous years through the Stan
support, as well as integrated services which
expanded to increase the number of women it Perron Outreach Service.
focus on mental health, women, and families.
can support, the fit-for-purpose facility offers
single rooms with bathrooms and shared The Women’s Service is fully funded by St
For many people, their first contact with St
facilities, and common areas. Bart’s and their corporate and philanthropic
Bart’s means connecting with the integrated
community.
services team. Their priority is to help people
Anglicare Australia | 18Echo Youth Mentoring
Echo Youth and Family Services
Echo Youth and Family Services Both participants and mentors report the
mentoring programs to be a positive and
was founded in 1984 and began encouraging experience. They enjoy learning
as a youth group attached to new skills and developing purposeful
friendships and increased community
St Mark’s Anglican Church in connections.
Emerald.
Mentors come from all walks of life, but they all
Originally known as Emerald Centre for Hope share a desire to support and encourage young
and Outreach, it is best known by the acronym people to become their best selves. Mentors
Echo. Over the years Echo expanded to include commit to meeting with their young person for
a range of programs for all ages and eventually at least an hour a week over a six month period,
became an independent charity. as well as attending four compulsory training
evenings and a group excursion during the
Echo Youth and Family Services focuses on program.
the Eastern Dandenong Ranges communities
providing support to youth and families With the help of Echo’s dedicated volunteers,
through a range of programs. These include the program has been making a positive impact
programs to improve digital literacy, provide in the community for the past two decades.
interest-free loans, offer free food, and run Echo Youth Mentoring is supported by the
supported play groups. They also run the Echo Victorian Government.
Youth Mentoring Program, which provides 1
support and encouragement to young people
[Right] Mentors and staff from the Echo Youth Mentoring Program
to realise their full potential.
participate recreational activities.
Photo courtesy of Echo Youth and Family Services
Mentoring has been shown to be an effective
way to improve behavioural, social, emotional
and academic outcomes for young people.
Echo works in partnership with local schools
to facilitate mentoring relationships between
local young people and either trained adult
volunteers (IMPACT Mentoring) or trained
older peers (LINKZ Mentoring) from the local
community. Pairs meet weekly to work on
a shared activity and cultivate a supportive
friendship.
Prospect | 19Supporting Children
and Families Rapid Resp
Anglicare Victoria
Supporting children and families is a key priority for the
Anglicare Australia Network.
Our members provide a continuum of care in out-of-home care services including foster
and kinship care, family group homes, residential care and adoption services as well as
family preservation, reunification and leaving-care support. We have a major footprint
in this area – Anglicare Australia members work with over ten percent of all children in
out-of-home care in Australia.
Our services support over thirteen thousand children and their families through child-
specific services, almost fourteen thousand young people through youth-specific
services and six thousand children and young people in out-of-home care. In addition
almost forty thousand people access our family and relationships support services,
including domestic violence support.
Our network has been working tirelessly to advance the Home Stretch Campaign, led
by Anglicare Victoria. The campaign calls for extension of out-of-home-care services for
young people to the age of twenty-one across all states and territories; currently children
must leave care at eighteen or even seventeen in some states. Research shows that this is
in the best interests both of young people leaving care, and society as a whole.
We also have a major focus on keeping families together and promoting family reunion. Anglicare Victoria understands
This includes a commitment to the Family Matters campaign – our members work to the powerful influence of family.
ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are whenever possible left in
the care of their family, and supported to build cultural and family connections. For better or worse, family
Photo courtesy of Anglicare Southern Queensland deeply informs the trajectory of
a person’s life.
That’s why when creating innovative and lasting
solutions to social issues, Anglicare Victoria
places family at the centre of program design
and service delivery.
In its work to protect the vulnerable Victorians,
Anglicare Victoria acts early to provide and
create safe places. They ensure young people
and their families are supported to take back
control as they grow and flourish together, and
for who those cannot be with their own, they
help find them the family they need.
Anglicare Australia | 20ponse Program
Photos courtesy of Anglicare Victoria
Anglicare Victoria’s leadership is moving The Rapid Response intervention focuses on A recent evaluation found that over ninety-eight
Victoria towards a more informed, effective developing a shared understanding between percent of children remained in their parents’
and compassionate service system. With the families and services about what the care at completion of the program, and over
deep experience and insight into out-of- protective concerns are, what needs to change, eighty percent remained at home three months
home care, Anglicare Victoria has designed an and what action will be taken to keep the child after intervention.
evidence-based program for Australian child safe.
welfare conditions called Rapid Response. The program has been recognised and
Rapid Response™ is an intensive, placement As part of the program practitioners provide celebrated across the sector, and was honoured
prevention model that acts as a direct up to four weeks of intensive, in-home support as a finalist at the 2018 HESTA Community
alternative to child protection intervention to address the crisis. During the intervention Sector Awards.
when a decision to remove a child from the longer term support is put in place where
home is imminent. necessary, whilst strengthening current
services.
Rapid Response is not a generalist, long term
placement prevention model. Critical to its Informed by a number of international
success is a ‘Rapid Response’ and singular evidence-based models, Rapid Response
intervention focus by the practitioner to support represents a local solution to reducing out-of-
the family at the crisis point where a Protection home care admission rates.
Application is about to be issued and a child
placed in out-of-home care.
Prospect | 21Foyer Port Adelaide
St John’s Youth Services
Anglicare Australia | 22Photos courtesy of St John’s Youth Services
St John’s Youth Services works Creating real and lasting change means being Residents of Foyer Port Adelaide initially sign a
bold and innovative. That’s why St John’s Youth twelve month lease with the South Australian
with young people in the Services takes an innovative approach to Housing Authority, with support services based
Adelaide metropolitan area working with young people, and breaking the on the Foyer model. With the support of a Case
cycle of homelessness for good. This has led Manager, every young person living at Foyer Port
aged from sixteen to twenty- St John’s to open the world’s first apartment- Adelaide constructs their own set of goals, and
five, who are experiencing or at based youth crisis service, youth110, and the a team of case workers continue to help them
risk of homelessness. establishment of South Australia’s first Foyer achieve these goals.
accommodation complex, Foyer Port Adelaide.
It was established by the parishioners of It provides independent accommodation for Young people’s plans focus on employment,
St John’s Anglican Church in 1981. By 1987 young people who want to re-engage with training, or education, and other areas of a
they had established a night shelter for education, seek training, or find employment. young person’s life where they would like
young men in the City of Adelaide. Over the help. These may include accommodation,
years the service has expanded to include Located in the heart of Port Adelaide, Foyer independent living skills, health and wellbeing,
women and dependent children in short term Port Adelaide is a joint partnership between cultural identity, and positive community
accommodation. While the shelters provided the Department of Human Services and St connections.
safety and temporary relief from homelessness, John’s Youth Services. It aims to provide young
they weren’t enough to change the direction people with support and mentoring to develop Young people are provided with the
of young lives. Young men and women left independent living skills, maintain employment, opportunity to participate in a range of activities
the shelters only to return again and again, training, or education and engage positively aimed at team work and leadership skills. There
becoming trapped in a cycle of homelessness with local communities. This is offered to young are no fixed time frames. Instead young people
and dependency that overwhelmed their people aged between sixteen and twenty-one transition out of the program and into other
capacity to move forward. who are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of housing when they identify as being ready to
homelessness. do so.
Prospect | 23Home Interaction Program for Parents
Brotherhood of St Laurence
The Brotherhood of St Laurence Experiences early in life will have a significant to work with families in their homes. By
impact on childhood learning and development, securing philanthropic funding and donations,
is a community organisation adult education, emotional wellbeing, and the Brotherhood of St Laurence was able to
that works to prevent and physical and mental health outcomes. This has led sustain and grow the program.
alleviate poverty across the Brotherhood of St Laurence to deliver Home
Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters The HIPPY approach is based on evidence that
Australia. (HIPPY). children’s earliest and most powerful learning
comes from their family. This evidence shows
The focus of their work is increasingly on HIPPY is a two-year, home-based, early learning that encouraging literacy and numeracy in
particular places as well as particular groups of and parenting program for families with young early childhood sets children up for success in
vulnerable people, such as early school leavers children. The first experimental HIPPY program learning throughout their lives.
or those who are unemployed or homeless. was set up in 1969. Today, HIPPY operates in
eleven countries across the world, while HIPPY- Over the two years before and after starting
The Brotherhood’s work in the community inspired programs exist in six other countries. school, HIPPY children work through weekly
is varied, ranging from early learning, The Brotherhood of St Laurence holds the or fortnightly packs of play-based, educational
employment preparation and digital literacy licence with HIPPY International to deliver the activities with their parents and family. They
programs to aged care. Their approach is program in Australia. are encouraged to ask questions and try
informed by the best available evidence and new things, developing their confidence and
research. Much of this research points to The first HIPPY site in Australia started passion for learning. This helps enable school-
the crucial importance of the early years in in Melbourne in 1998, delivered by the readiness.
shaping and influencing lifelong outcomes and Brotherhood of St Laurence. Twenty families
development. were enrolled, with three home tutors employed
Anglicare Australia | 24s & Youngsters
Photos courtesy of Brotherhood of St Laurence
Families are supported to shape their child’s
learning opportunities around their strengths
and interests, and to bring learning off the
activity pack page and into the world. This is
called ‘Everywhere Learning’ – parents take
HIPPY activities to everyday situations or in
places, encouraging other family members to
get involved.
Since 2008, the Australia Government has
committed more than one hundred million
dollars to support program delivery in the first
fifty locations and to expand the HIPPY program
to an additional fifty communities, with a focus
on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Prospect | 25Safe Kids, Families Together
AnglicareSA
For more than one hundred AnglicareSA delivers diverse programs families and one hundred and forty children
including parenting, youth, foster care, each year. AnglicareSA is working with the
and fifty years, AnglicareSA financial literacy, new-arrivals, disability care, Department for Child Protection and the
has been supporting South emergency assistance, homelessness, and aged Early Intervention Research Directorate
care. collaboratively to deliver the program.
Australians in need — working
together to transform lives for AnglicareSA is now delivering a ground- AnglicareSA has worked with key experts
to design the Safe Kids, Families Together
the better. breaking new early intervention pilot program
intensive family support pilot program. The
specifically developed for South Australian
families at risk of having their children enter program ensures vulnerable families have the
As South Australia’s leading social enterprise, right support in place to manage complex
AnglicareSA supports more than sixty thousand the child protection system. The program,
which is funded by the South Australian issues, and hopefully, avoid seeing their
people each year with a team of almost two children enter the child protection system.
thousand staff and six hundred volunteers. Government, aims to engage over forty
Anglicare Australia | 26Photos courtesy of AnglicareSA
The service engages families who have staying safely with their families for a year or Safe Kids, Families Together was co-designed
multiple complexities and histories of trauma, more after intervention. by AnglicareSA, the Department for Child
and are at risk of having their children Protection and the Early Intervention Research
removed. This may include families with This is followed by a lower intensity six-month Directorate.
histories of domestic violence and drug and follow-up. Research and overseas experience
alcohol abuse, as well as children with child shows that intensive family support is effective.
protection notifications. It also shows that if children can remain safely
with their birth family, that is the best place for
Specialist staff give families intensive, face- them.
to-face, in-home support. Their work builds
on successful international services, such as AnglicareSA believes that the program can
HomeBuilders in the United States, which make a significant impact at a critical time,
demonstrates high outcomes of children allowing for long term positive outcomes for
children and their families.
Prospect | 27Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Anglicare Australia Network We are dedicated to supporting people Our service delivery and policy priorities in
throughout life’s journey to overcome mental health are diverse, with a focus on
supports thousands of people challenges and lead a happy, healthy life. Our the full spectrum of mental ill-health. Early
across Australia to manage their services include support to live independently intervention, better service access, and
and engage with the community, supported improved funding are all priorities for our
mental health. accommodation, community residential services, network. Anglicare Australia is also working
counselling, suicide prevention programs, and to improve the psychosocial support available
Thirteen Anglicare Australia Network members
loss and grief services. In all, our staff provide through the NDIS.
provide dedicated mental health services,
mental health support services to almost thirty
ranging from community based services to
thousand people across Australia each year.
residential support.
The network also helps those with psychosocial
The wellbeing programs offered by Anglicare disabilities as part of the National Disability
Australia Network members are a mix of services Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These services enable
to provide support and strategies to help clients people with disability and mental health needs
manage both their physical and mental health. to access supports and services designed for
their individual circumstances.
Photo courtesy of Anglicare Southern Queensland
Anglicare Australia | 28Responding to Hoarding
Anglicare Tasmania
Photo courtesy of Anglicare Tasmania
Anglicare Tasmania is a not-for- Anglicare Tasmania’s services are about A major scholarship has recently been awarded
supporting people through life challenges. to a member of Anglicare Tasmania’s team
profit organisation providing a Responding effectively to hoarding and squalor to visit England to participate in training
range of support services to the issues has been identified as an important focus delivered by Hoarding Disorders UK. They will
for Anglicare Tasmania. also visit a number of organisations in urban
people of Tasmania. and rural communities who are delivering
Domestic squalor makes homes unsanitary, services to address hoarding and squalor. This
In response to the Christian faith, Anglicare
unsafe and, in extreme cases, uninhabitable. It is tour will help Anglicare Tasmania become a
Tasmania strives to achieve social justice and
often linked with excessive hoarding, which is a leading organisation in addressing the mental
provide the opportunity for people in need to
treatable behavioural mental health condition. and physical health, social connectivity and
reach fullness of life. They are guided in this
domestic needs of people presenting with
mission by the values of compassion, hope,
Anglicare Tasmania’s Home Services have hoarding and squalor challenges.
respect and justice.
delivered a successful pilot of high intensity,
short term interventions to improve the client’s Anglicare Tasmania’s Social Action and Research
As one of the largest non-profit organisations in
physical living environment and, through a Centre will release new research about this issue
the state, Anglicare Tasmania provides disability
multi-disciplinary approach, develop strategies in 2020.
and mental health services, aged and home care,
to address the underlying hoarding behaviours.
housing support, financial assistance, alcohol and
These interventions were aimed at reducing
other drug services, and programs for families,
hospital admissions, increasing physical and
children, and young people. Anglicare Tasmania
mental wellbeing, and maintaining housing
is also a leader in research and advocacy through
tenancies.
its Social Action Research Centre.
Prospect | 29Young Hearts
Anglicare WA
Photos courtesy of Anglicare WA
Anglicare WA is a leading not- The Young Hearts program is a domestic storybooks, and other essentials to enable the
violence counselling service for children, use of different styles of therapy including play,
for-profit organisation that dedicated to breaking the cycle of family and narrative, art, and behavioural therapy.
helps people in times of need. It domestic violence. Young Hearts puts young
people first, helping those most vulnerable to Young Hearts ensures that the counselling
provides almost ninety different build healthy relationships and develop skills to experience for children is safe, positive,
types of social service across thrive in the future. supportive and helpful. The group work
Western Australia, supported sessions address behaviour which may be the
Young Hearts’ goal is to provide a safe living result of being exposed to or experiencing
by five hundred staff and three environment for women and children. The violence or abuse. There are no expectations for
hundred volunteers. service is free of charge and takes place over six participants to tell their story, and staff are there
to eight weeks. only to provide support.
Anglicare WA plays an important role in building
strong relationships, families and communities. It As part of the program counselling is available The group program enables participants to
provides support, counselling and advocacy for to women, children, and their non-offending develop a strong sense of self and provides an
people struggling with poverty, homelessness, family members. The counselling is delivered in avenue for children to release emotions in a safe
grief, mental wellness and other forms of crisis a neutral, secure and supportive environment and protected environment.
or trauma. Anglicare WA also offers innovative to enable children to explore their feelings
services focused on domestic and family surrounding violence and abuse. The facilities Young Hearts is supported by Austal and the
violence, such as the Young Hearts program. are equipped with toys, art and craft materials, Channel 7 Telethon Trust.
Anglicare Australia | 30Justice and Diversion
Anglicare North Queensland
Anglicare North Queensland Many of the staff at Anglicare North Queensland The Cell Visitor Program is complemented by
and a great many of the clients and residents Anglicare North Queensland’s Diversionary
provides vital services to people of services are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Centre. This program also stemmed from the
in need in accordance with values Islander descent. Anglicare North Queensland Royal Commission, and aims to provide an
seeks to provide services that are culturally alternative to formal custody for intoxicated
that reflect the social justice sensitive and respectful. This has led to a strong people. The Diversionary Centre is a sobering
charter of the Anglican Church. interest in the justice system. up facility for people who are at risk of being a
danger to themselves or other people, providing
As an active part of the Anglican Diocese of The Cell Visitor Program was born out of the a culturally safe alternative to being detained at
North Queensland, it is especially focused on Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in the Cairns Watch House.
caring for those in need and transforming Custody, to ensure the safety and wellbeing
unjust structures in society. Anglicare North of detainees in the Cairns Watch House. The Together, these programs offer culturally
Queensland works across North and Far North Cairns Watch House is the largest in Queensland sensitive support to people who have found
Queensland, from south of Mackay across to outside of Brisbane, and has the capacity to hold themselves in the justice system – and
the Northern Territory border and up north one hundred detainees at any given time. alternatives that prevent them from being
through Townsville, Cairns and the Cape to
The purpose of the Cell Visitor Program is to caught up in the system more permanently.
the Torres Strait. Their team delivers a wide
range of services, specialising in out-of-home provide support services to Aboriginal and Torres
care, youth, mental health, homelessness, Strait Islander people in police custody to reduce
public intoxication, education, training, and the incidence of suicide, self-injury and health
emergency support services. impacts related to intoxication and incarceration.
Prospect | 31headspace Darwin
Anglicare NT
Anglicare Australia | 32Anglicare NT was formed by headspace Darwin works with young people
who are at risk of developing psychotic
the Anglican Church in the symptoms, or are having their first episode of
Northern Territory in response to psychosis. The early intervention model works
closely with family members and includes
identified community and social psychiatric and medical management, case
needs. management, community awareness, and
education.
From the beginning, its services have embraced
all Territorians. No one is denied the respect, Treating mental health issues early, before
justice and community of Anglicare NT’s work. they progress into psychiatric illnesses, makes
treatment more successful. All teams work
Anglicare NT is one of the largest providers together to support young people and families,
of government-funded welfare, social justice making sure they have everything they need.
and community development programs in the
Northern Territory. With over four hundred and In recognition of its success, headspace Darwin
fifty staff and two hundred and fifty volunteers, was named a winner in the Excellence category
it delivers over eighty-five different programs in as part of the Anglicare Australia National
urban, rural, regional and remote communities Awards in 2018. The judges noted that there
across the Territory. In recent years mental health can be a lack of mental health services in the
issues, especially those faced by young people, Northern Territory, especially for young people.
have become a major concern. This has led They described headspace as a standout entry
Anglicare NT to partner with Government on because it tackles a major area of need and
headspace Darwin. fills an important service gap. The judges also
commended Anglicare NT for family and client
The headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program collaboration in the program’s design.
in Darwin is a free and confidential service that
can help eligible young people aged twelve With the success of the program in Darwin,
to twenty-five with their mental health and Anglicare NT is now preparing to deliver
wellbeing. It supports over ninety young people headspace services into the Katherine region in
and families affected by psychosis. It provides collaboration with local stakeholders. These will
assistance in areas including mental health, include Aboriginal community controlled health
physical and sexual health, alcohol and other
1
care services, who will help design culturally
drugs, and vocational support. It encompasses a appropriate services for young people.
[Opposite page] headspace staff and clients photographed in
headspace Primary, headspace Early Psychosis, Darwin.
and an enhanced care service. The headspace model has proven to be [Top] headspace facilities in Darwin.
effective for young people experiencing anxiety, [Bottom] headspace Darwin celebrated the official opening
This innovative service has been tailored to depression or other mental health issues. It of their new centre at Casuarina at headspace National’s tenth
birthday.
suit the needs and requirements of the Darwin provides a world class quality service supported
Photos courtesy of Anglicare NT
population. Young people and their families by evidence and national back-up, ensuring that
were heavily involved in the design and ongoing young people and their families can trust the
strategy of the program. It is an inclusive service approach taken.
which does not discriminate regardless of race,
cultural background, religion, sexual orientation,
gender, or disability.
Prospect | 33You can also read
