Date post: | 22-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
View: | 214 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Supporting Carers and Kids
An Aboriginal Agencies Attempts
Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services
• Incorporated since 1985
• Aboriginal NGO funded by– DoCS - OOHC, CSGP– AGD - Prevention and
Diversion
• Active in the sector and the community
• Have been using LAC since 2005
Mr. Steve Larkins• General Manager since 2000.• Board Member of AbSec.• Board Member of ACWA/CCWT.• Formerly
– Member - National Executive for SNAICC.– SNAICC Representative on CAFWAA.– Trainer for ACWA/CCWT
Hunter ACS’s growth since 2000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Staff
Carers
Kids
Our Carers are VERY important
Research done in 2001
46%
33%
8%13% Aboriginal Services
DoCS
Other NGO's
Dual Carers
• Most Aboriginal Carers are authorised by Aboriginal Services
• Today we might find an increase for other NGO’s.
How do we keep Carers ?• Carers must be
trained properly.
• Carers must be supported.– Regular Visits by Case
Workers.– Available After Hours
Contact.– Free to give feedback.– Meet regularly to
support each other.Reasons For Being A
Carer
Love of Kids
AccommodateNeedy
Right Thing ToDo
Safe FamilyEnvironment
Keep Ab Kidswith Ab Families
Services Responsibility
• To recruit, train and assess Aboriginal Carers.
• Maintain and Support Aboriginal Carers.
44%
36%
16%
4% > 5 Yrs
1 - 5 Yrs
6 Mths - 1 Yr
< 6 Mths
Our Website opens up our service to the wider community
www.hunteracs.org.au
Steps taken by Hunter ACS
• Employed a worker specifically for the Carers– “Case Worker - Carers Support”
• Made available a 24 hour phone service.– For help when times get tough
• Carer Support Group Meetings– A safe place where Carers can vent their
issues and receive further training
Role of Carer Support Worker
• Contact ALL Carers fortnightly• Organise Carer Support Meetings• Be a point of contact for ALL Carers• Raise issues with Case Workers OOHC• Support Carers where necessary• Seek out training requests from Carers• Assist in running training for Carers
Supporting Kids is VITAL
Steps we have taken
• Kids Activity Days– each school holidays
• Regular contact with Case Worker• Life Story Work• Budget for Case Worker to do
activities with their cases• Listen and act on what kids ask
Specialised Support Worker
• Employed through funding with AGD• Acts as support person for Police• Supports kids in JJ system• Attends local Children’s Court• Part of “Aboriginal Community and
Local Area Command Network Group”• Supports young people “post release”
Reduction in placement changes
• New staff had an effect from 2001
• Policy change occurred in 2001
• Most changes occurred for children 12-15
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Placement
Changes
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Other effects
• Putting in an effort with kids meant– Kids more prepared to talk to Carers– Be more open with Case Worker– Have taken active roles in Care Plans– Less After Hours Callouts– More interest in Life Story Work– Happier placements– MORE CARERS - through Word of Mouth
Finally• We don’t think we have all the
answers• Not everything has worked• Takes a lot of perseverance• Staff changes have slowed progress• Financial Resources have slowed
process• Community has been important in
making it work
Thank you for your attention
For Further InformationGo To Our Web Site
www.hunteracs.org.au