Caretakers Cottage 2016 Annual Report

CARETAKERS COTTAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2016

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Caretakers Cottage Annual Report – 2016

PRODUCED BY Caretakers Cottage Inc. 96 Bondi Road, Bondi NSW 2026 (02) 9389 0999 www.caretakers.org.au © Caretakers Cottage 2016

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

CONTENTS

About Our Service ...... 4

Chairperson’s Report ...... 10

CEO Report ...... 12

Treasurer’s Report ...... 18

Caretakers Cottage Youth Refuge Report ...... 22

Options Youth Housing Report ...... 30

Entity OOHC Services Report ...... 34

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Youth Week 2016

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

ABOUT OUR SERVICE

CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY For 40 years, Caretakers Cottage has been caring and nurturing thousands of homeless kids in crisis, giving them hope and teaching them the skills they need to succeed.

Caretakers Cottage’s mission is dedicated to helping kids in crisis, and teaching them the skills they need to succeed. It all started some 40 years ago when Caretakers founded one of the very first youth refuges in New South Wales, and in time, helping to complete transform the way society cares for homeless youth. Caretakers Cottage provides a comprehensive approach to youth homelessness, assisting young people and their families through times of crisis.

We rely on the dedication of our staff, our board and our community to make this work possible. As one former resident put it “at my time at Caretakers, the biggest assistance for me and for many other kids was learning to let go, to accept the fact that we could not move back home and we would have to learn to move forward. The staff inspired me to finally feel like I was worth something, and that constant feeling of worthlessness changed to one of content. This is what inspired me to get a job and learn to save money. But most importantly, I learned to examine my choices and try to make good decisions.”

2015-16 STATS: CARETAKERS COTTAGE INC.

Programs & Services Total Clients Specialist Homeless Services (SHS) Caretakers Cottage Youth Refuge 239 Options Youth Housing 244 Ted Noffs CALM 180 Ted Noffs PALM 44 Total (SHS) 707 Out of Home Care (OOHC) Entity OOHC 11 Entity Semi-Independent Living 5 Entity Aftercare 10 Total (OOHC) 26

Grand Total 733

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

2015-16 STATS: SPECIALIST HOMELESSNESS SERVICES (SHS)

OUR PROGRAMS Program Total Percent Caretakers Cottage Youth Refuge 239 34% The Caretakers Cottage SHS program Options Youth Housing 244 35% consists of a partnership between Ted Noffs CALM 180 25% Ted Noffs PALM 44 6% Caretakers’ crisis and transitional Grand Total 707 100% accommodation services (Caretakers Cottage Youth Refuge and Options Youth Housing), and the Ted Noffs Foundation’s local outreach and rehabilitation programs (CALM and PALM). Combined, 707 clients were assisted in the 2015-16 year.

WHO ARE OUR CLIENTS? Age Total Percent 0-5 10 1% The clients assisted by Caretakers Cottage are vulnerable and 12-15 141 20% disadvantaged young people, mostly aged 12-25, including a few 16-17 228 32% 18-25 324 46% young parents and their children. In some instances, parents of the 26+ 4 1% young people will receive additional specialized support from Grand Total 707 100% caseworkers and staff. Gender Total Percent Female 380 54% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make up 21% of young Male 327 46% people assisted, another 10% were from culturally linguistic Grand Total 707 100% backgrounds. ATSI/CALD Total Percent ATSI 151 21% 55% of clients experienced an episode of homelessness in the last CALD 68 10% None 488 69% year, and 10% had not lived in a permanent home in last 6 months. Grand Total 707 100%

WHY ARE THEY SEEKING HELP? Presenting Reason Percent Disengagement with school 7% The primary reasons why young people have become Domestic Violence/Sexual Abuse 5% homeless is due to family and relationship issues, Drug & Alcohol 18% Family/Relationship Breakdown 25% mental health, drugs and alcohol, disengagement from Mental Health 8% school, domestic violence and sexual abuse. Other 37% Grand Total 100% 40% of clients diagnosed with mental health disorder in the past, however, only 27% were receiving services at the time of the referral.

At least 15% of clients were skipping school on a regular basis or not attending at all.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

WHERE DO THEY FIND OUT ABOUT OUR Referral Source Total Percent SERVICES? Courts/Juvenile Justice/Legal Unit 23 3% Drug & alcohol service 53 7% Young people are referred to the service from Family & Community Services 28 4% a very wide range of sources including family Family and child support agency 13 2% Family and/or friends 59 8% and friends, school, Family & Community Homelessness Agency 171 24% Services, Juvenile Justice, hospital, police, Hospital 6 1% and other government and non-government Link2Home 24 3% Mental health service 23 3% agencies. Other / Other Agency 110 16% Police 8 1% A number of clients are referred through the School 91 13% NSW Department of Housing’s Self-referral 98 14% Grand Total 707 100% accommodation referral line, Link2Home.

Some simply self-refer, either by having knowledge of the service or have discovered us through searching the web (e.g. on Google) for services that might be able to provide them with assistance and support.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Generally speaking, clients are divided Contract Actual by those “Going Home” (currently Clients Assisted Total Total Going Home (currently homeless) 132 262 homeless who are accessing crisis Staying Home (at-risk of homeless) 198 445 services) and “Staying Home” (young Grand Total 330 707 people at-risk of homelessness, requiring assistance at home or to maintain their stable accommodation e.g. semi-independent flat).

At Caretakers, we believe that an effective response to homelessness must be much more comprehensive than mere accommodation. A case management approach to assisting clients ensures that young people receive a range of assistance that can help them move forward in live.

The 17,000+ notes from service staff indicate the volume of Goals Achieved Total Percent Not at all 65 19% work involved in case-management. Up to half 105 30% Half or more 64 18% Combined, there were 346 case plans for clients in 2015-16. At All 112 32% least half of all case plans were successfully closed with goals Grand Total 346 100% being either entirely or mostly achieved. An additional 30% of case plans achieved some goals, while 19% of case plans were closed without immediate success.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Many of our clients were A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS successful in transitioning out of What a typical case plan might help address: the homelessness system while others moved from the crisis  Accommodation: short term & long term system to transitional housing  Family & community: connecting to family or relatives, counselling, connecting to community & culture pathways. At the end of the  School: re-engagement or re-enrolment support period, of the total  Health: regular check-ups, dental health, sexual health supported clients, 57% were  Finances: Centrelink, job searching, budgeting & savings  living in stable accommodation Living skills: cooking, cleaning, washing, social behaviours  Legal: identification & paperwork, fines, court (e.g. home, rental). Other  Mental health: counselling, medication, therapy successful outcomes include an  AOD: counselling, rehabilitation, aftercare support increased engagement with school. At the end of the support period, 50% of clients were enrolled in school or other training/education, and 13% were employed.

In total, we reached far above our targets as per our contract with FACS: We intervened in 707 cases as opposed to the 330 specified by our funding contract.

This high figure was the result of our implementation of the ‘No Wrong Door’ policy. A total of 298 clients were assisted through referrals. Essentially, this doubled the figures that we are supposed to be dealing with per year, adding a to the already high workload at all services.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

2015-16 STATS: OUT OF HOME CARE (OOHC)

ENTITY OOHC, ENTITY SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING, ENTITY AFTERCARE

Entity Semi-Independent Aftercare Total

Total supported clients 11 5 10 26 Capacity 96% 75% N/A 86%

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 18% 40% 50% 36% CALD 18% 20% 20% 19%

Relationship Breakdown 100% 100% N/A 100% Domestic Violence 73% 60% 20% 51% Mental Health 54% 80% 50% 61% Drugs and Alcohol 45% 20% 40% 35%

Of those not restored to family reconciled with 36% N/A N/A 36% family and relatives Restored to family 18% N/A N/A 18% Exited to specialist/supported accommodation 27% 40% N/A 34%

Improved living skills 55% 100% N/A 78% Began/maintained/returned to education 55% 80% 20% 52% Began/maintained/returned to training N/A 20% N/A 20% Began/maintained/returned to employment 9% 20% 30% 20% Began/maintained engagement with 18% 20% 20% 19% counselling

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

CATHERINE BRENNEN, CHAIRPERSON, CARRETAKERS COTTAGE INC. This is my first Chairpersons report on the activities and development of Caretakers Cottage during 2015-16 and I can say up front that the organisation has continued to thrive while meeting numerous challenges. We have seen the growth of services to under 16 year olds through the HYAP program, the consolidation of the Going Home Staying Home programs and we have seen the struggles inherent in the Out of Home Care funding model.

Our primary objective is to enhance the lives of young people and their families and to that end 2015- 16 our organisation has worked with the largest number of clients in almost 40 years of history. The 733 individual clients that have come through our services this year alone, is equal to 21,588 bed nights of accommodation. On average 58 young people reside in our programs every night of the year. Add to this the early intervention program offered through the Ted Noffs Foundation and our HYAP workers home support programs that have engaged directly with another 445 young people who have remained at home. Impressive numbers and with our client/stakeholder surveys indicating that a huge number of Eastern Suburbs families have experienced positive support through these programs, we will continue to reach more families in 2016-17.

Considerable stress has been placed on our administrative capacity due to the continual negotiation with government for funding enhancements to our 24/7 service, tendering for HYAP2, as well as the increasing compliance requirements. To that end, we have created a full time administrative support role while maintaining a part time bookkeeper to continue to support our CEO. It is likely that we will further enhance our administration with a part time accountant. In the coming year we will be submitting an Expression of interest to further extend our Out of Home Care program which will lead to another tender in the New Year. Simultaneously we are completing 2 separate accreditations that will complement our Children’s Guardian Accreditation.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

I am pleased to say that our Board has remained strong dealing with the various and at times complex staffing and management issues, whilst ensuring the good governance of the organisation is upheld. The Board is becoming more active in the resourcing of the service with members calling on contacts to support the organisation with legal advice though to property management. The Board will be continuing the development of our governance policies as our new accreditation structures evolve during 2016-2017.

OUT OF HOME CARE

Some concern for the future viability of our Out of Home Care service, Entity, given the current situation where we are carrying a deficit that is directly brought about by the current funding model that includes the claw back of funds. Large organisations are able to carry such deficits however it is beyond the capacity of our organisation. Therefore, we will have to look seriously at the viability of continuing this vital service should a more favourable not be offered in the upcoming tender. As can be seen later in this annual report, Entity plays an important role in the lives of many young people and gives the organisation a broad perspective and active participation in all forms of alternative accommodation for vulnerable youth.

Entity has been fulfilling a crisis response as this specialist function was not directly funded in the OOHC service mix and this has to continue in duly accredited services rather than the use of Specialist Homelessness Services as an ad hoc placement option for adolescents who are brought into the care system. We look forward to the rolling out of a new OOHC model and will work towards convincing FACS planners to provide viable funding for small organisations so we can continue the great work.

ACKOWLEDGMENT

I would like to thank our Board for their skills, time and care of the organisation and for their support of our dedicated staff. A strong culture has grown throughout our services that embraces our clients with such warmth and care that ultimately stands them in good stead. Providing a roof over our clients’ heads has become the least of our services as creating pathways to supports that truly see our young clients through to maturity and this is at the core of our programs.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

CEO REPORT

LAURIE MATTHEWS, CEO, CARETAKERS COTTAGE INC. Here we are again reviewing what was and where to from here. Caretakers has worked hard to further implement and improve our responses to families and young people throughout the South East Sydney District and now with the added areas that takes us from Bondi to Strathfield. So let me start with some optimism in the light of successfully negotiating a new tender for HYAP2 which is designed to better cater for under 16’s. We have appointed a caseworker to specifically work with this cohort on an outreach/ early intervention basis as well as working to secure new accommodation options in the district. We have expanded our capacity at Bondi back to 10 beds with additional youth work support to provide the necessary level of care. Essentially this ensures two workers on duty until late and additional staff to manage school holidays and weekends.

HOMELESS YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 1 & 2 (HYAP)

Our approach continues to be that of offering families short term respite if needed while we work with them to develop supports and skills so that they may better provide for their children and young people. Our HYAP caseworker Brodie is providing a lot support in the home of families coming to grips with the onset of adolescents in young people who also exhibiting behavioural issues. Many of these young people have issues emanating from disabilities and more commonly from relationship strains. Much of this role is about making the right connections with support agencies and then withdrawing while continuing to hold a watching brief should issues continue to emerge.

HYAP1 was a rushed response to the lack of planning for the needs of under 16’s in the homelessness youth sector, this program enabled additional staffing to ensure the well-being of young people, especially those not in care and unable to return to family care.

Brodie has moved from youth work to casework and is the driving force of our HYAP2 response. Which has seen tremendous growth in our direct family work with young people remaining within their

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report families. Contacts have been made with agencies throughout the new inner west and we are working in cooperation with the agencies in that area who accommodate young women only, it is necessary for Caretakers to provide residential options for young males from this area so our bed capacity at Bondi has been increased to 10. An aspect of this has been to put additional youth work staff on so that we have 2 workers on duty till late along with additional support on weekends and school holidays.

The next encouraging news has been to recently receive a funding upgrade to the crisis service at Bondi that puts us on an equal operating level as the rest of the SHS sectors crisis accommodation services. This has come as a result of Specialist Homelessness Services CEO’s forum negotiating with our peak body Yfoundations and FACS concluding is a great outcome.

Caretakers Cottage has developed over the years from a single function homeless shelter to a sophisticated modern and vital organisation able to respond to a wide range of youth and family issues.

Accommodation is at our core, however, our partnership with Ted Noffs Foundation has added a robust AOD and early intervention response. St Laurence House has added living skills for some of our transitional clients, for which we are grateful to Nigel Parker; the service also provides medium-term accommodation in our local area.

INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF GOVERNMENT

We are working in an environment where government are particularly risk adverse so contracting out continues and this explains the added burden of compliance. We are working through a new Quality Assurance System and have already been accredited by the Children’s Guardian to run Out of Home Care and now we are working towards a Quality Assurance Framework for Out of Home Care. Much of our paperwork is completing Client Information Management System (CIMS) which is further compliance and we are subject to endless reviews of our Out of Home Care and Specialist Homelessness Services.

I estimate that roughly 25% of our funding is expended on compliance. In this age of reducing red tape, I don’t believe it is a real goal at certain departments. In the midst of this, a new Human Services

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report contract is being developed which will further reduce our independence as a local NGO responding to our own communities needs in ways that we believe will work, rather than being the providers of a template designed by well-intentioned people who are somewhat removed from the field.

ART THERAPY

Art therapy has been a big theme this year with Kirsten providing individual and group art work that aids casework and gives young participants a creative opportunity for expression. This project has been supported with a fantastic donation from the Wolper Hospital Foundation. The art program will continue through this coming year as it is a hit with participants and is a valuable therapeutic opportunity to foster greater expression especially from traumatised young people. We welcome Brent and Freda to the team in their capacity of indigenous workers though Brent has already moved on to play football in the UK leaving Aunty Freda to play an increasingly important role of a safe indigenous person for 151 indigenous young people with whom we worked this year. Over recent years we have worked to engage with more indigenous organisations and enhance our capacity to better cater to the needs of indigenous young people and their families. This year our overall number of indigenous young people has reduces however this is a little misleading as our contact has been much longer and more intense.

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS TO 2020

Specialist Homelessness Services funding has been rolled over to 2020 which on the surface reduces our tendering load till then however the extension does not suit our desire to renegotiate some aspects of our funding in the interim.

Options is somewhat starved of funds so discussions have begun at a local level to best project the level and quality of work desired from this program.

We have a high number of high need clients so conversations have begun with the department on just how much support we should be providing and that begs the question of what happens to those clients for who this in insufficient support.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

OUT OF HOME CARE

Out of Home Care continues to present demands and opportunities and once again we have run at a deficit due primarily to the structure of funding that has funds drawn back on unfilled beds. We have no control over the referral process so when funds are withdrawn for an empty bed we still have the fixed costs of staffing, a large organisation can deal with this however we are small and don’t have the economy of scale to manage this. It has become evident that we have had to amalgamate our residential and independent programs into one program to share staff.

Our funding was extended for a year while FACS developed a new funding and contracting model which will be rolled out in November seeking expressions of interest with only weeks to go we have little understanding of what is being proposed however we have made our views clear and highlighted the inequities experienced by small agencies.

It is our intention to continue in the Out of Home Care sector however given our experience in recent Going Home Staying Home tendering a key objective was to reduce the number of services so it would not be a surprise if the impending model does not accommodate small organisations. I believe that our capacity to work in both the Out of Home Care and Specialist Homelessness sector is of great value to the young people transitioning between the two care sectors and that we have skills that create a seamless response to a young person’s needs.

As you will note from the Entity report great work is being done with the young people in our care as we have competent staff and a model of service that works. Currently we are approaching a retendering process that clearly is moving towards reducing the number of services and developing consortiums as was the case in the Going Home Staying Home tender process. We will resist the move to large consortiums and work to provide a tailored individually care response.

There has been a degree of integration between our SHS and OOHC programs with some young people who are aspiring to live independently moving into Options, casework is provided by Entity and the entity aftercare worker assumes responsibility for young people over 18.

WELFARE RREFORM

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Generally, we are concerned and the impending role out of Commonwealth welfare reforms and the much discussed 4-week waiting period for benefits and the apparent push to employment in an environment where there are insufficient jobs and those available to young people are commonly predicated on casual short shifts. We have a history in successfully engaging our clients in schools and TAFE employment education and the transition to fee charging privatised education tends to exclude many of our clients.

OPTIONS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND FOYER

Options has an immense job supporting 68 young people all with varying degrees of support needs. We experience the difficulties of working with young and current ice users and although we have great access to Ted Noffs Foundation rehabilitation programs, they are only of use if clients are inclined to address their drug taking and not many are. A similar degree of difficulty is faced in working with young people exhibiting significant mental ill health, we now have a Headspace office in Bondi Junction.

The current dilemma is how much support can we provide and should we draw a line, what happens to those young people who require a greater level of casework input? The duty of care associated with accommodating young people with high needs and limited casework support is a concern we have yet to convince our funders is real. Dialogue has begun with FACS on addressing the need for more casework support.

Early in the year I had the opportunity to address the Premier and Cabinet at which time he invited the assembled service providers to come up with innovative responses that would see young people moving out of supported accommodation into independent accommodation. Kate and I worked with Bridge Housing to prepare a costed Foyer model housing proposal that would include 49 units with casework support staff, so far, it would appear we have been lead off to the ‘too hard’ basket.

ACKOWLEDGMENT

Our social media presence has grown with Dovi promoting our Facebook page, Twitter presence and rebuilding our website. We appear to be getting lots of Facebook responses from past residents while the website has considerable access by workers in the field and the general public investigating what it is we have to offer.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Good access to government and senior Departmental people, thank Brad Hazzard, Maree Walk, Mychelle Curran, Clare Rogers and at the local level Skevi Panayi and Athena Hay. Ongoing interest from Notley Smith Member for Waverly and Gabrielle Upton Member for Vaucluse. Being in the Prime Ministers electorate we provide regular information to his office, however, the relationship could develop more.

Acknowledgements Skevi, Athena, Robbie and Gary Groves from FACS, our peak body Yfoundations, partners & board from Ted Noffs Foundation and St Laurence House, Bridge Housing, St George Housing, Our Big Kitchen, Jewish House, Oz Harvest, Friendship Circle Bakery.

External support – Williams Sonoma, Taste of Coogee Festival, Johnson Partners, Wolper Hospital, Randwick Council, Waverley Council.

And finally I would like to thank the Board: Catherine Brennan, Tomas Rowlandson, Sarah Barclay, Lisa Wong, Natalie Bradbury, Helen Kakakios for their ongoing support for our great manager team of Aliki Filis, Julie Booler, Kate Christie and their respective teams of youth workers and caseworkers.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

TREASURER’S REPORT

TOMAS ROWLANDSON It is with great pleasure that I present the 2016 financial year results for Caretakers Cottage. We are pleased to report that Caretakers has achieved a net surplus of $93,899 for the year ending 30th of June 2016 (2015: $340,199). Caretakers continues to remain in a strong financial position, with sufficient cash reserves to payout all debts in a timely manner. We also have a property situated at Sylvania worth approximately $1.2 million which is almost unencumbered.

A highlight this year has been the 7.5% increase in government funding attributable to the successful award of the Homeless Youth Assistance Program, totaling $126,341 allocated towards the Bondi Refuge. This has assisted in alleviating some of the financial pressure Caretakers experienced, due to the reduction in funding after the recent Going Home Staying Home reforms.

Whilst the organisation made a technical surplus, it is worth noting that Caretakers did finish the financial year with a cash deficit of $11,206 – largely in part to the governments transition from lump sum to outcome based funding. The committee still remains proud that our net assets for the organisation are $1,819,546 (2015: $1,900,079) even after including a downwards revaluation of on the Sylvania property after an independent valuation was lower than the committee’s own prior years’ valuation.

Further breakdown of some key areas of revenue, expenditure and other financial information is provided.

Due to recent changes in how the government funds out-of-home care services, Caretakers out-of- home care program Entity has now become financially unviable, based on the current funding model. Given the upcoming renewal of the governments out-of-home contracts in 2017, we hope to participate in the tender process and look towards securing more appropriate funding for Entity.

Given a changing and uncertain funding environment, we continue to make the most efficient and effective use of our limited resources. As always, I continue the thank all staff for displaying such fiscal responsibility ensuring the long term viability of the organisation.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

FINANCIAL REPORT Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2016 Assets 2016 ($) 2015 ($) Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,236,921 1,248,181 Other assets 26,550 33,599 Total current assets 1,263,471 1,281,780

Non-current assets Other long term financial assets 7,335 6,981 Property, plant and equipment 1,387,841 1,572,861 Total non-current assets 1,395,176 1,579,842

Total Assets 2,658,647 2,861,622

Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables 195,736 153,128 Provisions 288,017 307,107 Other liabilities - 78,000 Interest-bearing loans 81,493 100,000 Total current liabilities 565,246 638,235

Non-current liabilities Trade and other payables 36,504 36,504 Provisions 237,351 197,332 Interest-bearing loans - 89,472 Total non-current assets 273,855 323,308 Total liabilities 839,101 961,543

Net Assets 1,819,546 1,900,079

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Amalgamated Income Statement for Year Ended 30 June 2016 Income 2016 ($) 2015 ($) Revenue 3,486,053 3,224,668 Other income 27,617 101,021 Total income 3,513,670 3,325,689

Expenditure Amortisation expense (604) (590) Administration expense (963,150) (825,606) Deficit on disposal of plant and equipment (1,186) - Depreciation expense (43,630) (37,512) Employee benefits expense (2,228,220) (1,888,642) Food expenses (33,893) (27,298) Insurance expenses (30,660) (58,908) Interest expenses (8,484) (12,157) Motor vehicle expenses (18,462) (27,697) Rental expenses (59,946) (74,437) Utilities expenses (31,536) (32,723) Total expenditure (3,419,771) (2,985,570)

Other comprehensive income Revaluation increment/(decrement) on land and buildings (174,432) 488,791 Total other comprehensive income (174,432) 488,791

Operating income (80,533) 828,910

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

CARETAKERS COTTAGE YOUTH REFUGE REPORT

ALIKI FILIS, MANAGER, CARETAKERS COTTAGE YOUTH REFUGE It was an exciting year for Caretakers Crisis Refuge in 2015-2016, with many exciting changes and enhancements to the service on so many levels.

On a Service Provision level, we were excited to trial the new Art Therapy Program at the crisis refuge to see if this could assist our young people. The program proved a huge success, and now has been refined to continue being provided on a weekly basis for all current and ex residents who wish to continue with the program.

A second major change for Caretakers was the addition of two Aboriginal workers which immensely assisted in our interventions with our indigenous clients. On the one hand, our younger male indigenous worker primarily acted as a strong mentor and role model for our clients, and on the other hand, our older aboriginal female worker assisted by taking the role of the elder and nurturing change through this. Because of this, the service has become CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS more culturally appropriate and we have Caretakers Crisis Refuge assisted 191 individual already seen an improvement in clients, some of whom needed repeat assistance on indigenous clients’ willingness to stay at two or more occasions over the year. 133 of these Caretakers and commit to casework. As a young people were also provided crisis accommodation. bonus, this combination has proved successful for not only our indigenous  41% of our clients were under the age of 16 years. clients, but for all the younger client  17% were from an ATTSI background, of which residents of the refuge. close to half were under the age of 16 years.  Another 13% were born in a non-English A further change that has occurred is that speaking country. we were fortunate to increase our staffing  40% of clients had a pre-diagnosed mental to include a full time worker who would illness.  11% had recently spend time in a juvenile focus exclusively on young people under correctional facility.  And finally 9% of clients were in Ministerial Care.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report the age of 16 years and their families from the SES and Central Sydney District. It is a new position, with the worker spending much of their time in the field, doing home visits and so on. Although this is still new and only piloted late in the financial year, it is proving successful so far.

Our social activities also improved in this financial year. We began weekly onsite activities such as yoga and group drumming activities for our residents which we believe help them refocus, learn control and better manage their stress levels. After a difficult start, this now also seems to have settled into a weekly routine here at Caretakers.

On a sad note, we did lose our highly esteemed private psychologist Ian Jonsen who provided onsite counselling and interventions to our residents with innovative methods outside the box, as he moved his practice from Sydney. This is a gap in our service provision and hope to fill it as soon as we can find a viable replacement for him.

On a Community level, again exciting things have occurred at Caretakers during the year. We became more connected with the local REFERRAL CHARACTERISTICS community, again participating in several  Multiple concurrent factors were often cited interagency special events. Our leading to a client’s homelessness. Family and relationships with local services such as relationship breakdown was the most prevalent reason given for clients becoming homeless Our Big Kitchen has grown, our (28%). This was followed by a housing crisis participation at the Coogee Taste Festival (23%), domestic violence and abuse (10%), and again has improved our local profile, and problematic drug and substance abuse (7%).  26% of clients were either self-referrals or were funnily enough all the yoga and drumming referred by a family member and another 25% of activities have been organised by local clients were referred by other Specialist community members who simply want to Homelessness Services. 18% were referred by give a little back. FACS/Links2Home.  11% were referred by either a mental health or Our relationships with our partners and D&A professional from various settings.  4% respectively were referred by either schools other local services have gone from or the Department of Juvenile Justice. strength to strength over the last financial

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report year. Caretakers, Options, Ted Noffs and St Laurence House joined together in holding meetings, planning and participating in training, and sharing expertise with one another.

On a funding level, we also had a OUTCOME HIGHLIGHTS successful year and this has allowed us  3% of our clients went into private, public, and to better implement our five-year-plan. community housing rentals after intervention Specifically, through this funding with the crisis service.  7% of our clients went into transitional housing. enhancement, not only can we cover a  33% of our clients were restored to a family much larger geographic area to now member. include Sydney District, but we have  19% went to live in other crisis accommodation services. also managed to increase our bed  4% went into either a rehabilitation or a capacity for under 16 year olds to psychiatric unit provide a total of 10 crisis beds at the refuge alone – in addition to the four drug and alcohol crisis beds provided through Ted Noffs.

So all in all – a very successful year.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

National Sorry Day & NAIDOC Week 2016

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

CASE STUDIES

The complexity of young clients assisted by Caretakers Cottage’s is exemplified by the two case studies presented below.

Staff at the refuge are often presented with clients whom the mainstream system is not able to adequately respond to, however Caretakers Cottage has managed to not only adequately address such clients’ needs, but also significantly assist in their successful outcomes.

SAAD & SAMIR’S STORY

A pair of 13-year-old refugee twins were referred to Caretakers by FACS. They were living with their stepmother until the relationship broke down and the twins were evicted from home. The father had been incarcerated for several years in another state. The twins had a 14-year-old brother who was also not living at home and had self-placed with a non-relative. FACS was not involved with the family.

When the two boys arrived at Caretakers, they had not seen their father for several years and had never been informed why he was incarcerated. They also had been unable to contact their natural mother who lived overseas. This was the first time the twins had been out of home. We accommodated the twins and decided to also assess the 14-year-old brother.

It soon became clear to Caretakers that there were three underage boys whom nobody was legally responsible for and who did not have too many best case scenarios. Their father’s legal status and offences did not ensure that he would stay in the country once he had served his sentence and the relationship with their stepmother was irreconcilable. There were no other family members, and they had been rejected by the local community. The three boys had become completely unstable and it also was unclear whether their own legal and residency status was also in question.

Caretakers decided that given this situation the best course of action was to have all three boys placed into the Care of the Minister, and negotiations began with FACS encouraging this – despite their age.

All three boys were also connected to a range of specialist lawyers who could assist them with their residency status and all other matters that had arisen. During this time, Caretakers also ensured that

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report the boys were connected to school and activities that gave them a sense of continuity and routine in their increasingly unstable world.

Caretakers was successful in this endeavour and FACS did place all three boys into Care. Caretakers then began the difficult process of trying to find the twins a culturally appropriate foster care placement but with little success. Residential care placements were also difficult in view of the fact that we did not want the twins separated. After a total of 9 months of living at Caretakers, a suitable residential care placement was found for the twins. The older brother remained, now officially (and with all the relevant supports), with the family he had been living with. The twins were transferred to their long term OOHC placement and to local schools. With this new stability, the boys are now thriving.

JEREMY’S STORY

When Jeremy first came to Caretakers, he was a young 15-year-old Aboriginal boy that can only be described as having fallen through the gaps. Jeremy was subject to 40 separate FACS child notifications, however, none of these were ever fully addressed.

Jeremy was referred by his mother because he was not allowed to live with her because of his sexualised behaviours against two young girls in her care. When these allegations were substantiated, Jeremy was removed from his mother’s care at age eight and sent to live with his abusive father. This placement broke down and Jeremy had been homeless ever since as there were no other adults that FACS deemed viable for him to live with. By the time he moved into Caretakers he had exhausted all other options with family and friends.

Once Jeremy moved into the refuge, his inappropriate and predatory behaviours became apparent towards females in the house. A private psychologist was engaged to assist Jeremy with these behaviours, and during these sessions he disclosed that he was also the victim of child sexual abuse along with his sister. The sister’s abuse was currently in the courts, his own, however, was never addressed. FACS was elicited to provide assistance but their involvement remained peripheral.

His behaviours kept escalating to the point, where Caretakers felt it was unsafe to have females in the same house with Jeremy and several police/JIRT investigations ensued. It is at this point that Caretakers took the unusual step to remove all the females from the house. Although, this was a highly contentious decision, it was easier to move the female residents, rather than simply moving ‘a

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report perpetrator’ to another refuge, and thus moving the problem elsewhere. As a refuge we also had a duty of care to all residents of the house – including Jeremy.

We then exhausted all options with FACS including requesting ‘specialist’ resources into child predatory behaviours. However, FACS deemed this strategy as too expensive.

As an alternative we were concurrently attempting to also get Jeremy into a ‘specialist perpetrator residential program’. We elicited FACS assistance with making the referral (since the program only accepted OOHH referrals), however, this referral was knocked back because the perpetrator service’s assessment found Jeremy did not portray ‘serious enough behaviours’.

It is at this point, that we had exhausted all options. We could not adequately refer Jeremy to other Specialist Homelessness Services because he would potentially present a risk to female residents and there were no all-male accommodation options.

We had no other option than to request that his mother find a community alternative. Jeremy consequently went to live with a male cousin. He returned several months later to ask our assistance regarding some new charges. The charges, unsurprisingly, were of a sexual nature.

Using this new information, Caretakers renewed pressure on both FACS and the Perpetrator Accommodation Service, to assist in providing a treatment option for Jeremy given his escalation. The perpetrator service agreed to take Jeremy on, and he was admitted to the residential program. In the end, Caretakers involvement with Jeremy was for over a year, and an appropriate response was finally achieved to assist Jeremy.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Coogee Taste Festival

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

OPTIONS YOUTH HOUSING REPORT

KATE WITHERDIN, MANAGER OPTIONS YOUTH HOUSING Options has once again seen a busy year with a lot of focus on further tailoring our transitional program to best suit the changing needs of the young people who come through our doors.

It has been a year of challenges for our young people and our case workers, however it has also been a year of fun times with the introduction of our monthly ‘Pizza Parties’, yoga sessions, Christmas party and random outings together.

Options case workers have been stretched and tested more QUICK STATS than ever before and have come through with more passion, Beds: 57 determination, knowledge and skills which is translated into Bed Nights: 17,961 their daily contact with young people. Referrals: 170 New Placements: 38 Options young people have also had their fair share of Exits: 36 challenges and adversities yet they have managed to touch us all with the amazing resilience, strength and determination 224 clients assisted, including 6 young families. they have found within themselves to create a full and happy Staff: 3 Case Workers, 1 Manager life. And for many, this journey continues.

Without the dedicated case workers, Michael, Dafna and Alexis, the practical support provided from Nigel, Jessie and Rob at St Laurence House and most importantly the wonderfully varied and unique personalities and strengths of the young people who make the choice to share their journeys with us, Options would not be the program it is today.

We look forward to another year ahead together.

ACHEIVEMENTS

Options underwent a Strategic Planning session with pro-bono support from ATRD Consultants. We now have a structured 3-month trial process for all young people coming into the Program, which involves high level support and contact hours.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

This initiative is further supported through our 205 hours spent on furniture removal & partnership with St Laurence House who provide manual labour!! weekly, in-house living skills program to fill the ever widening gap of young people who lack the skill level required for independent living.

We have introduced an Outcome Based Measurement Tool centred around young people’s responses to their overall wellness throughout their time with Options.

Options has successfully adapted the Program model to cater to the gaps between crisis accommodation and readiness for transitional accommodation.

CHALLENGES FACED

This year was a true test of stamina and dedication to the cause in regards to staffing. With 224 young people accessing support from in the past 12 months and 3 case workers to spread the load things were tight. This was further tested with staff taking their annual holidays, putting a strain on resources.

FaCS presented another challenge for Options to overcome with a risk that the Options office will be reclaimed by FaCS leaving Options with limited space to operate effectively from. This challenge is one which will continue over the coming year.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT OPTIONS? “To feel independent but to have someone to turn to if needed.”

“The friendly caring staff, the accommodation, the support.”

“The opportunity it gives you to grow as a young adult, the guidance and mentoring from the case workers.”

“The case workers. And boss man.”

“I went to another [transitional] accommodation interview & felt like my life depended on it, but this one was different.”

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: JESSIE’S STORY

Jessie*, 20-year-old male, presented to Options couch surfing in another attempt to escape his family home, where long term family violence and drug abuse was present. Jessie was experiencing significant depression and anxiety as a result of years of trauma and abuse. Options offered Jessie a bedsit unit and supported him to stabilise his mental health by linking him in with a psychologist and psychiatrist.

Within 7 months Jessie landed a casual position in a retail store and managed to increase his hours over time, as well as enrolling in a performing arts course.

Over this time Options witnessed a once nervous, quiet young man gain incredible confidence in himself and find hope in his future.

Some 12 months later, Jessie enrolled in full time …on a journey to independence. university studies and acquired a new part-time job. Heartbreakingly during this period, his 8-year-old sister was involved in a car accident at the hands of their older brother and suffered a permanent brain injury. Shortly after, Jessie’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and needed to undergo treatment leaving her unable to provide full-time care for her daughter. As there was no one to provide care for his sister due to his step-fathers drug addiction, Jessie dropped his studies and picked up more hours at work in order to take on full guardianship care of his sister.

During this stressful period Jessie accumulated rent arrears and debts that were unmanageable, his depression also returned. Options supported Jessie in nominating him for a bigger, two-bedroom property through a Community Housing Provider partnership, supporting him with his rent arrears through advocacy to the Community Housing Provider, assisting him with his budgeting skills and supporting him to maintain his mental health and wellbeing. PIZZA PARTYS!!!

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Today, Jessie and his sister have moved from an Options property into a Community Housing property. Options continue to provide the young family with case management support despite having exited from our accommodation. This support will continue for as long as it is needed.

THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Without the generosity and support from others, Options simply could not run, so now we would like to take the time to say a heartfelt thank you to all those who have supported us over the past 12 months:

Street Smart, BeFit Training, DISH Pizza Double Bay, ARTD Consultants, Duncan Sutherland, Rebecca Abraham and the team at Johnson Partners, St Laurence House, Bridge Housing Ltd, The Yoga Foundation, St George Community Housing, HeadSpace Bondi Jnt, Bondi Jnt Community Mental Health, Waverley Council, Nutrition Station Bondi Jnt, The Nook Bondi Jnt, Perry and Annie Rabin.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

ENTITY OOHC SERVICES REPORT

JULIE BOOLER, MANAGER, ENTITY OOHC, ENTITY SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING JOANNE GIEGER, CASE WORKER, ENTITY OOHC, ENTITY SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING Entity has had a big 12 months. We have had very few vacancies throughout the last year, and these have filled quickly when they have come up. We have worked with 11 young people at Entity over the year. The majority of these young people have been female with only 4 males in this group.

Over the course of the year we have been able to enrol 6 of the young people into the local high school. Four of the other young people were very short crisis placements who we did not have time to enrol in school and one was not willing to attend school or be enrolled. We have been able to develop a strong working relationship with Sylvania High School where the young people are enrolled. We are able to contact the school when the young people are having any kind of difficulty and they have been a strong support for the young people while they are at school. We have also been able to develop individual education plans for the young people which has enabled them to have individual learning support in school to assist with any catch up work or assessment support that they require. We sincerely appreciate the team at Sylvania High School, who have been a valuable support in our work with the young people and in our efforts to maintain their education.

We have worked hard to provide quality outings for our young people, who were able to go to the X-Factor shows and meet the judges and some contestants, to the Easter Show, Youth Week activities at Hurstville, the Royal National Park, Cronulla Beach, Kurnell, Darkes Forrest Horse Riding School, among other places. The young people have thoroughly

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report enjoyed the outings provided and will put in requests for places they would like to visit.

This year we have been working hard on developing the independent living skills of the young people in placement, as there have been a number of young people who have aspired to moving into semi- independent living after Entity. We have developed a cooking roster and recipe book for the young people to learn different styles of cooking, including international foods. Some of these have been great, and some have not turned out so well, however this too has been a learning experience for the young people.

Young people also participate in household chores so that they learn how to maintain their own place when they move out. They are not always appreciative of learning or practicing these skills in particular, however we know that they will appreciate it in the future!

We have also been having the young people work on the first of our Independent Living Skills modules, based around Housing Issues (rent, finding a rental property, managing a lease, working with Housing NSW & Real estates, etc.) This is an in-depth module which gives the young people valuable knowledge for when they leave care and also provides them with written information that they can keep and refer to in future about all sorts of rental issues that could arise for them. Julie is continuing work on the second living skills module based on household cleanliness and its importance for health and wellbeing.

Late 2015, we had a file audit, conducted by the Office of the Children’s Guardian, which gave us an indication of things that we needed to gather together or improve for our accreditation in December. We worked incredibly hard to make sure that everything that we needed for evidence for our accreditation was available for the Children’s Guardian when they came to visit in December. We submitted our Policy and Procedure Manual for review and our evidence index (explaining where to find evidence for each of the points in

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report accreditation in our files) to the Children’s Guardian before their visit. They then spent 2 days on site at Entity reviewing our files, both client files and staff/human resources files and meeting with us and management for discussion around the evidence. After a couple of months, while waiting for word about any further evidence that the Children’s Guardian would require for us to pass accreditation, we were happily informed that we had passed without the need to forward any further documentation. We have never had any experience or heard about services that have passed accreditation based solely on the visit to the service. We have once again received five-year accreditation, taking us through to 2021.

In March, during quite a big storm, a section of the guttering on the house collapsed onto the balcony. Following some back and forth with the insurance agency and some unfruitful searching for a roofer, we were able to get someone to begin work on the repairs. Unfortunately, he would not finish the job citing a number of structural issues with the roof and eves, and we had to once again seek help from the insurance company to locate an alternative company to repair the gutters. In the end Riverwall Constructions completed the repairs to the guttering around the whole roof and left the house in a beautiful state when they finished. They performed professionally and did a great job.

Prior to the repairs being completed, another massive storm hit Sydney, and this highlighted another issue with the house, in that the front balcony does not appear to be waterproofed causing major flooding to the downstairs rooms. There will need to be work done to seal the balcony and re-tile so that this does not happen again, however the work is not proceeding immediately for various reasons.

During the year, the Horizon Caseworker resigned from Caretakers. Due to issues around funding, we decided not to replace her position for this year and merged the semi-independent service with Entity, re-naming the service to Entity Semi-Independent Living. The caseload is managed by the Entity Caseworker and Manager with support from the Aftercare caseworker where possible. There has been an interesting transitional period of integrating the services and casework into our current load,

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report however it is coming along well and we are able to manage the caseload between the three of us most of the time.

There has been a couple of young people move out from the independent service this year. One aged out of care and moved into supported accommodation with Project Youth. She has been in contact a few times since moving out. She is doing well at present, looking for work and maintaining her placement. The other young person who moved out was unable to follow the rules of the program and presented as too high a risk for semi- independent living, so was moved out for safety for him and the other young person he was sharing with.

We currently have three young people in placement and all are doing very well. All three are engaged in education activities, and participating well with these. We have recently taken in a young person who is currently working two part-time jobs while continuing full time school. His response to caseworkers questioning whether this was too much for him was, “you have to challenge yourself!”

One of our young people in semi-independent was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Italy and Poland to attend the World Youth Day activities. This was available to her through her scholarship with her school and she had a great time seeing the pope give his annual address. The trip was for three weeks, and she had a blast over there.

As we fill the Semi-Independent service placements to capacity, we are hoping to be able to expand and increase the numbers to eight young people. The issue around this is that there are many young people who need to be moving into semi-independent living in preparation for leaving care, however they are not being taught the independent living skills that are required to live in a less structured and supervised environment. This means that we have to decline referrals for young people who are suited to the program in terms of the stage in their life, but are not prepared to live independently without risk to themselves. We have raised the lack of independent living skill development within services and foster care on a number of occasions.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

CLIENT STORIES

We received a referral for a young lady, 14 years old from rural NSW, two hours from Sydney. She had been staying in a crisis, six-week placement in Western Sydney which was coming to an end. She was described as a foster care candidate, however, there were no foster care placements available for her. After some discussion with FACS, we agreed that we would bring her to Entity for a medium-long term placement with a view to moving her into a semi-independent placement when she was ready and then working with her through to 18yrs old in placement before referring her to our Aftercare caseworker for support after she leaves care.

The young lady presented with some mental health issues, including self-harm through superficial cutting and threats of suicide. We were able to engage the young lady with a counsellor through community mental health, and she attended weekly with Entity support. Slowly these appointments reduced to fortnightly and then monthly as her symptoms declined.

The young lady settled into life at Entity fairly well. She understood and agreed to the plan for her placement, and was excited to follow that plan. We enrolled her in the local high school and after having been out of school for a couple of months she was able to return to school and begin catching up on missed work. The school helped to support her through the transition and offered her extra support to catch up on the work. This worked well for a number of months, however, the young lady began to get into trouble at school for minor misbehaviour including arguing and swearing at teachers. She had a number of short suspensions, and strategies were introduced for her to utilise to minimise this behaviour. After a while, she got into a serious fight with another student and received a long suspension. The school worked tirelessly to support her with her behaviour and maintaining her school placement.

Entity facilitated contact between the young lady and her immediate family, which was a six-hour round trip back to her home town. We were also able to set up weekly skype sessions with her family so that she was able to not only speak to them, but see them. This gave her great pleasure, as she was the oldest of 5 sisters and missed them terribly being so far away.

While things were declining at school, the young lady was having similar issues at home. She began absconding for nights at a time, smoking marijuana and drinking and refusing to participate in activities and outings with the household. She was spoken to about these issues and their implications on her ability and safety for going into semi-independent living, because of the risk to her safety that these behaviours would bring.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

The young lady picked up again and began working hard at doing the right thing at school, participating in the house, and was moving towards the goals of independent living again. She travelled on this way for some time, before slipping into old patters again. She began absconding again, and we discovered that she was returning to her home town so that she could be closer to her family and old school friends. She would regularly refuse to come back to Sydney, with Entity having to make several trips down to get her and bring her home.

After some serious discussions, the young lady stated that she no longer wanted to live in Sydney and was not ready to go into semi-independent living. We made an agreement with her that if she would continue to live at Entity and follow the program, we would work on referring her to an agency in her home town. She agreed to this plan, and although she continued to struggle to follow the rules and routine in the house, she did this.

Through some negotiation with FACS and another organisation, we were able to successfully transition the young lady to a residential placement in her home town. She moved there and continued to work on moving toward independent living.

The young lady returns to Sydney regularly for orthodontic follow up, as we had completed payments on braces for her before she left Entity. Each time she goes to the dentist, she makes sure to drop in to Entity and say hello, give us an update on how she is going and what is happening for her. She also keeps in touch by email, asking questions or just saying hi. She recently informed us that she has moved into the semi-independent placement through her new service. She sent the following email to us:

My time at entity... Well where do I start that place is amazing beyond words... The workers helped me through so many things and helped me achieve the goals I wanted to reach.... My favourite thing about entity is that no matter how hard things get they will always try to remain as close to a family as possible... The whole 16 months I was there I felt like I belonged to a family... They understand so much more then what you think... They also put so much effort into trying to keep the clients as happy as possible with outings and things like that, even though some days were tough they still managed to get us kids outta the house for the day... If I could go back there, I would in a heartbeat... I absolutely loved entity they done so much for me... Which has helped me in the long run...!”

Kind regards, Tanya

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

OTHER MESSAGES

I think Entity is a safe, friendly environment where they make everyone feel welcomed and comfortable when first arriving here. They make this place feel more like a home rather than a refuge and let you be who you are without judgement.

Entity is very supportive and provide the things we need when needed. The workers are very nice and help me when I need someone. They make everyone feel equalled and loved. The home itself is very warm and cosy and provide great services when it comes to the house”

Clarissa (14yrs)

I like living at Entity because the workers are really nice and helpful. They provide me a lot of stuff. They are caring and the help me with school and life skills. Entity is a really stable environment. xx”

Cindy (14yrs)

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Christmas Party

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

ENTITY AFTERCARE

COURTENY BARLOW, CASE WORKER, ENTITY AFTERCARE Aftercare has been supporting 10 clients this year with a number of those clients needing a high level of support, some require the case worker to spend several days a week with them.

A female client dealt with the removal of two children and a difficult pregnancy. This resulted in a full hysterectomy and an extended stay in hospital, due to critical health issues.

Throughout this year, Aftercare has been not only a solid support for the client but also a point of call for all other services involved across the numerous issues that this client has been faced with. These include a family court battle, removal of two more children (which also resulted in losing a support worker), a pregnancy which saw heavy involvement with FACS and then, subsequently, the removal of that baby from her care.

This client continues to have several court dates across three separate cases (family court and two children court matters), doctors’ appointments, hospital appointments, multiple contact schedules with her six children who are in various placements, and appointments to address FACS concerns such as courses on parenting, drug and alcohol and mental health. Due to her isolation and health problems, Aftercare has needed to assist her with making and maintaining these appointments.

This client has no natural family involvement and as such throughout these obstacles she relied heavily on Aftercare as her primary support person, going as far as being next of kin for medical purposes. Aftercare was the support person for the birth of her newest baby during which the client faced horrific complications in the birth – The client had Placenta Previa which resulted in the placenta fusing itself to the caesarean scar as well as other organs including the bladder. During the surgery the client lost a total of 11 litres of blood and having 25 litres of blood and blood related products pumped back

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report into her body. In an effort to stop the bleeding the client had a full hysterectomy however the bladder was damaged, unknown by surgeons at the time, during the process of removing the placenta. Bleeding was unable to be stopped completely and the client was taken into ICU where surgeons continued to work on her and in the end needed to leave the abdomen open and monitored on compression to try to stop bleeding completely. Client was in surgery for a total of 8 hours that day. The client was kept under sedation and again taken to surgery the following day for a further 5 hours to repair the damage to the bladder and close up the abdomen.

The client spent a total of 3 days in ICU and a further week and a half on the ward. THROUGH THICK AND THIN Whilst in ICU the client’s baby was placed “Thank you so much for everything you have done for me, I really don’t know what I would do without you in NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) for by my side. Thank you xx” Sarah (25yrs) full time care and Aftercare given parental rights by Social work at the hospital in order to gain access to the child while the mother was unable. Aftercare spent a considerable amount of hours at the hospital on a daily basis in order to support the client through not only a physically but also mentally and emotionally traumatic time given that the baby was then removed from her care which she was aware of previously to giving birth. Aftercare was on call 24/7 during this time also.

Aftercare has also had a high level of involvement with another female client who had a child removed due to an ongoing Drug and Alcohol issue and continuing a Domestic violent relationship. FACS became involved during the client’s pregnancy due to the removal of a previous child. Aftercare supported the client to meet a number of requirements set by the department in order to keep care of her unborn child. Aftercare advocated along with FACS for a housing transfer as the property she was living in was deemed unsafe due to prior incidents relating to the father of the children which the client was in a DV relationship with. The transfer was approved and the client was moved within days. Aftercare arranged and coordinated all removals as well assisted with packing and unpacking and setting up the new property ready for the arrival of the baby.

Due to a drastic change in family and other supports in the client’s life, she did not cope well upon the arrival of the baby and as a result the baby was removed from her care.

The client made a decision to go to a long stay rehab facility which was located in the Central Coast. The program was a minimum one year stay. Aftercare advocated on behalf of the client to have her housing property kept at the reduced rate for the period of time that she would be away.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report

Aftercare was able to have this approved for 6 months to then be reviewed. During this time Aftercare made regular visits to the client at the facility to catch up and touch base as well as kept in regular contact with the client’s onsite case workers for update and to offer support where needed. Aftercare made regular visits to the client’s house also to check mail and such things.

The client has since been exited from that program, but is hopeful to enter another program which she feels will be better suited to her and closer to home. Aftercare has set up a drug and alcohol assessment with the Langton Centre to get things started.

Aftercare has a male client who has been in and out of jail since turning 18. Aftercare supports as best as we can by visiting during the periods he is incarcerated and keeping in regular contact when he is not. Currently he is in for a breach of bail and is in a Correctional Centre where Aftercare will visit every few weeks in order to keep in contact. During the last period the client SOMEONE TO LEAN ON was on bail, he was working on gaining “Dear Courtney, I love working with you. I feel very content and comfortable with you, you are very easy some ID as well as looking at some possible going and you never judge me on any of my choices victims of compensation claims, however, that I make. You have a very good way of explaining he was breached before this could be your opinion and advice on any situation and you have a very unique and gentle way of dealing with tough or completed so remains outstanding. hard situations that I may be going through. I am very appreciative of your wonderful advice when I need it. Aftercare has been working with a Female client who arrived in Australia when she Courtney Barlow is the most important Case Worker to me as she has consistently been there for me was 13 from South America as a through thick and thin and I see her on a regular basis permanent resident because of her which is great because I have had constant casework father’s status. She has had ongoing issues changes over the many years...” Paige (20yrs) in gaining ID, specifically an original birth certificate. FACS attempted to obtain her birth certificate through the Social Services in her country and family a number of years ago, however, FACS was only able to access a photocopy, which is not

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report useful as ID. The client was left with no ID as her passport had expired, and without a birth certificate she was unable to renew. This resulted in being unable to obtain NSW identification (and therefore is also unable to gain Australian Citizenship), a driver’s licence, as well as being in a position where if she was to lose a key card, she would have no access to her bank accounts either.

In an effort to obtain her birth certificate, for the past eight months Aftercare has been liaising with International Social Services who has then liaised with the appropriate services on in her native country and we have finally received confirmation that two original birth certificates are in the mail on their way to us! A submission as put into the Department to pay for this, given that they were unsuccessful in obtaining one during the client’s time in care. It was approved under her leaving care plan, which Aftercare requested, as she had not accessed many things in her leaving care plan, and this was not something that was considered possible to obtain at the time of her leaving care.

Currently, Aftercare is not an individually funded program, but this year, more than ever, as the above snap shot shows, Aftercare is a highly valued service for all of our clients. This is especially true for clients who do not have any other measures of support in place. They rely heavily on Aftercare for support within a professional capacity, but more importantly for emotional support and stability which most people would receive from family and friends.

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Family and Community Services – Notably the Ingleburn CSC, Dan and the guys at Coast to Coast Removals, Headspace Hurstville – Special thank you to Dr Vasilios Papakostas (Dr Bill), Housing NSW, Bridge Housing, Options, TAFE NSW, Philip A Wilkins and Associates, Liverpool Hospital – particularly the antenatal unit and social work team, Dooralong Transformation Centre, William Booth, Hurstville Probation and Parole and Laurie Matthews – CEO and the Management Committee for their continued support.

Caretakers Cottage – 2016 Annual Report