Caroline Chisholm Society Annual Report 2016–2017 Contents
Our Vision, Mission and Values 1 Locations: Vision 1 1 Darebin Place, Caroline Springs 3023 Mission 1 (Registered Office) Values 1 977 Mount Alexander Road, Our Approach 1 Essendon 3040 Our Theoretical Frameworks 1 15A St Andrews Road, Shepparton 3630 Objectives 1 Established: 1969
Our President and CEO’s Report 10 Life Members Mrs E Brennan, the Hon Christine Our Organisation 13 Campbell, Mrs P Coffey OAM, Ms M D’Elia, Ms L Doolan, Mrs T Fogarty, Tradition 13 Mrs L Gibson, Mr B Guinane, Caroline Chisholm (1808–1871) 13 Mrs M Howes, Mrs W Hunt, The Society 13 Dr P Joshua, Mrs L Joy, Mrs M McGarvie, Strategy 13 Miss M Napolitano, Mrs B Noonan, Mrs H Pearson (dec), Ms M Reilley, Effective Services 13 Mrs A Ronchi, Mrs E Semmell, Strong Finances and Administration 13 Sr M Sexton, Mr F Smit, Mrs L Tainton, Sound Governance and Management 13 Mrs M Taverner, Mrs P Way
Engagement 14 Board of Directors Services 14 President and Director: Paul Webster Pregnancy Counselling and Welfare Appointments Program 14 Vice President and Director: Family Support Program 14 Dr Michael Christie New and Pre-loved Goods Program 14 Company Secretary and Director: Structures 15 Phil Gatens, GAICD Governance 15 Assistant Company Secretary and Organisational 16 Director: Frank Smit Treasurer and Director: Stephen Mullins Our Programs 18 Directors: Tess Fogarty, Phil Gatens, Wendy Hunt, Stuart Rowland, Kate Pregnancy Counselling and Welfare Appointments 18 Rowswell, Gavin Kempin, Sarah Notaro Family Support 19 Staff New and Pre-loved Goods 22 Chief Executive Officer: Helen Cooney, Our Clients 28 BA, MGov & CommLaw Manager, Pregnancy and Family Services: Spotlight on Our Clients in Goulburn Valley 34 Mo Connolly, RN RM MHM Spotlight on Our Clients in Melton – Manager, Corporate Services: Implementing the Vulnerability Framework 36 Marie Panzera, BB (Business) Spotlight on Our Clients in Moonee Valley 38 Project and Compliance Officer: Sylvana Romagnano Our People, Neighbourhoods and Finances 39 Supervisory and Senior Practitioners: • Tania Belen Liawang, MSW, BA Our Year and Our Future 43 • Audrey Ciappara, BSW, BPsych • Nida Kazmi, GradDipPsych, BB (Fin Plan) Our Financial Report 44 • Amanda Walles, BA (Sociology) Spotlight On: Employed staff including: Carmel Ibic; Daya Adelan; Diane Gulbis; Fumiko Head; • A New Home in Moonee Valley 2 Georgina Ormiston; Jeanette Monteith; • Serving Melbourne’s Outer West from Caroline Springs 4 Lisa Autelitano; Liz Meloury; Lynette • Our Community in Goulburn Valley 8 Burns; Maree Chin; Narelle Trewin; Natalie • Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Perinatal Services 12 Chong; Natalie El Fahel; Rema Dahal, Rosie Dymus; Sandra Walker; Shabnam Daliri; • Quality Information for Pregnant and New Mothers 17 Tabitha Benjamin and Valerie Wegel • Responding to a Rapidly Changing Environment 23 A dedicated team of volunteers • Mothers in Mind to Children and Mothers in Mind 26
Caroline Chisholm Society Our Vision, Mission and Values
Vision Our Approach To support pregnancy, children Our service will utilise approaches that are characterised by the following: and families. • Positive pregnancy support • Child focused and family centred Mission • Connecting families with communities To deliver a range of pregnancy and • Flexibility and responsiveness family support services that respond • Promoting safety to the needs of families and support • Acknowledging the expertise of families them to achieve and maintain a safe and nurturing environment. Our Theoretical Frameworks Values We are focused on the best interests of children, while highlighting families strengths, and working to ensure mothers, babies or toddlers and their families We will develop services that are can have a good attachment. underpinned by the principles of: • Strengths-based practice: We help you to identify and build on the strengths, • Respect for life abilities and assets that you already have. This approach leads to better, more • Compassion and caring sustainable changes in your life, and allows you and your family to work • Social justice together for a safer and more nurturing environment for your children. • Empowerment • Attachment Theory: Strong and secure attachment is vital to your baby’s • Recognition of diversity development. You can build attachment by learning to read your baby’s signals and knowing how to best respond to your baby’s needs. • Accountable best practice • Best interests case practice model: Our case practice model is designed to achieve a common basis for professionals working with you and your local communities and services to meet your child’s need for safety, stability and development. Objectives • To operate a Pregnancy Support Service • To provide a service of counselling and practical support to meet the physical, psychological and social welfare needs of pregnant women, parents and young children and their families. • To provide a comprehensive service of care and support that will free women from feeling compelled by physical, psychological or social pressures to choose the termination of a pregnancy. • To help alleviate poverty and distress through the provision of financial support, material aid and shelter. • To provide programs of health education. • To develop a greater awareness and understanding of the welfare rights and needs of all people, including the unborn child. • To assist those who seek and use the services of the Society to function independently.
Annual Report 2016–2017 1 A New Home in Moonee Valley
41 Park Street, Moonee Ponds
12 Shuter Street, Moonee Ponds
977 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon
2 Caroline Chisholm Society Official Opening Next Steps On 4 March 2017, the Caroline Chisholm Society – Moonee Valley was You can see on page 38 some officially opened by The Hon. James Merlino MP, Deputy Premier of Victoria information about some of the with the assistance of Life Members of the Caroline Chisholm Society services we’ve already provided to and pregnant mothers and their families. families from the new site. We look forward to the possibilities of more The building was made possible by contributions from the Victorian services being offered so close to Government, Noel & Carmel O’Brien Family Foundation, the Noonan public transport. Our CEO, Helen Family, the Beck and Fox Families, Essendon Fields, Strathmore Community Cooney, has been appointed to a Branch Bendigo Bank, Australian Lions Foundation, Lions Club of Doutta Portfolio Advisory Committee for the Galla (Quilt – Esprit de Corps Project), Schiavello Group, Nelson Alexander Moonee Valley City Council. Chaired Charitable Foundation, Chisholm House – Loyola College Watsonia, Essendon by Cr. Jim Cusack, the Community Branch of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria Inc. and community Wellbeing Committee that Helen fundraising by volunteers. has been appointed to will support It would not have been possible without support from the Moonee Valley thriving and resilient neighbourhoods City Council, the Rotary Club of Essendon and volunteers and members of including issues such as family the Society. For over 40 years, the Caroline Chisholm Society was located violence, gender equity and safety. at 41 Park Street, Moonee Ponds. Check out more photos online at: We hope our building plays a part www.caroline.org.au/moonee-valley/moonee-valley-official-opening in achieving that.
Annual Report 2016–2017 3 Serving Melbourne’s Outer West
from Caroline Springs Thanks to the support of been able to make the most of the site by offering parenting and play groups, a partnership between a pamper day, a children’s week the Caroline Chisholm party and support for kindergarten and the City of Melton, participation by vulnerable children through the Vulnerability Tool Kit Darebin Place has become project and our Partnership with a hub for community ECMS in an outreach support project. support with outreach The site has grown into an to local families. invaluable resource for families in the high growth areas of Melton and Caroline Chisholm Society owns and Wyndham and the large population operates from 1 Darebin Place, which in Brimbank. started life as Delfin Display home. It has also been a tutor house for the then Mowbray College and a gym for the Western Jets football team. Caroline Chisholm Society has been calling it home for over 5 years. Melton Council owns, and offers Caroline Chisholm Society use of, the former Wirrigirri Preschool. We’ve
Brimbank and Melton Local Government Areas
Mallee
Goulburn Valley Upper Hume
Wimmera North Central
Central Hume Hume Moreland North East Lower Hume Brimbank Outer East Central Highlands Wellington East Gippsland Melton Inner Metro East Western South West LaTrobe & Baw Baw Barwon Colac-Otway, South East Corangamite South Coast Mallee
Bayside Melton Civic Centre Djerriwarrh HealthPeninsula (incl. Maternal and Services (Bacchus Child Health) Marsh Hospital)
Brimbank Customer Goulburn Valley Service Centre at Upper Hume Sydenham Library Caroline Springs Civic Centre Wimmera North Central Melton and Library (incl. Maternal and Child Health) Central Hume Hume Brimbank Moreland North East Lower Hume Darebin Place, Brimbank Outer East 977 Mt Alexander Central Highlands Wellington East Gippsland Melton Caroline Springs Joan Kirner Western Road, Essendon Inner Women’s and Metro East Children’s Hospital Western South West LaTrobe & Brimbank Baw Baw Barwon Community and Colac-Otway, South East Civic Centre (incl. Corangamite South Maternal and Royal Children’s Coast Child Health) and Royal Women’s Hospitals
Bayside Peninsula
Werribee Mercy Hospital
4 Caroline Chisholm Society Children’s Week In October, Caroline Chisholm Society held a party for Children’s Week. The party was held at 2 Darebin Place, Caroline Springs which was formerly a kindergarten. It was filled with balloons, games and laughter, while children had their faces painted by a very special ‘fairy’ visitor. We were blessed with a perfect spring day which was wonderful as we transformed our outdoor area into a petting farm. Many of our families attended the party along with people in the community and Caroline Chisholm Society staff. The afternoon was filled with food and fun! We received wonderful feedback from families stating that they had an amazing time and many requested that the event be held again next year.
Annual Report 2016–2017 5 Serving Melbourne’s Outer West from Caroline Springs
Case Study Joanne (name changed due to Outcome herself. Joanne said they also spend privacy) attended the Caroline Joanne agreed to be referred to time now going out as a family. Chisholm Society ‘Children’s Week’ Caroline Chisholm Society (CCS) Joanne now appears to have a Party with her friend Linda (name for support. The same CCS worker loving attachment and connection changed due to privacy). Joanne completed a detailed assessment with her child and is enjoying being came next door to our office with and requested Joanne be referred a mother. Joanne continues to her young baby. Joanne requested to CCS as a local intake. Worker receive ongoing support for her to speak with a worker if possible. was allocated Joanne’s case for mental health. During the period A case worker offered Joanne a continuity and also because Joanne of case management, Joanne private space where they could sit stated she had made a connection kindly donated clothes and other and talk. Joanne advised worker with that particular worker due to items to CCS so that other families that she didn’t want her friend Linda feeling validated and listened to. would benefit. Joanne is extremely to know she was asking for help, On the initial visit the worker met thankful for all the support Caroline the worker assured Joanne about Joanne’s husband who was inviting Chisholm Society provided. confidentiality and privacy and said and supportive of Joanne receiving that Linda would not know about support. The worker supported the conversation. Joanne appeared the family for nine months, during very distressed and was crying. this time Joanne attended a play Joanne also presented with low group with her baby, she joined a self-confidence. Joanne disclosed gym and commenced work on a that she had been diagnosed with part time basis. Further into case complex mental health issues from management the worker found it a young age. Joanne spoke about difficult to catch up with Joanne being isolated and that she was due to her being busy with work feeling overwhelmed and stressed. and activities, this was a major Joanne said she doesn’t like to leave achievement given Joanne the house. Joanne spoke about was initially isolated and being unsure as to how she should didn’t like leaving the be with her young baby. Worker house. Joanne says her observed Mother struggling with husband is now more attachment. Joanne indicated that supportive and will she does what she needs to do look after the with the baby and that’s it. Joanne baby so she said her husband is not supportive can have and that he is a very private man some that wouldn’t want others knowing time to their business. Following a two hour conversation the worker suggested Joanne be referred to our Integrated Family Services team so that she could receive support during this challenging time.
6 Caroline Chisholm Society Pamper Day Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a hands-on option for students in Years 11 and 12 where they are placed in a service that gives them practical work-related experience. To our delight, practical work includes those students studying cooking, beauty and early childhood Mother’s Day to offer members of our community In May, Caroline Chisholm Society held a party for Mother’s Day. a pamper day! The party was held at The Club in Caroline Springs which has supported us with our project to empower Early Childhood Educators with knowledge of vulnerability. Fairy Lulu came to visit again!
Annual Report 2016–2017 7 Our Community in Goulburn Valley
Since 1976, Goulburn Valley Pregnancy and Family Support Service has served the expectant and new mothers and families of Shepparton and surrounds. See page 34 for details of the families we support.
We recognised our volunteers, like Jill, with a certificate signed by our CEO, Helen.
At Goulburn Valley, we are strongly There is a wide and growing team at connected to Caroline Chisholm and the Shepparton. This was Aneta’s farewell, Melbourne-based team of the Society. and Karan visited from Melbourne. Since When the new building opened, we created then, Maree has settled in as our Lead artwork to ensure Caroline’s story is on walls. practitioner.
Our community is truly diverse with lots of families from Africa moving into the area. You can see the ethnicity data on page 34.
CWA of Victoria Inc. had their conference in Shepparton. These are helpful women from Mildura who brought some of the many nappies that were donated.
Cho and Baby Emma donating goods to Keren.
8 Caroline Chisholm Society Case Study – Volunteering in Shepparton – Aileen Youie Aileen has been volunteering for fill them with nursing items for the project. Aileen entered and won GVPFSS for the past four years, but baby and a small gift for the mother. that competition with her stork she has been actively supporting These bags are now given out and baby design. Aileen’s passion Caroline Chisholm Society for according to need, and she and the and commitment to GVPFS is at least 12 years through her other volunteers delight in receiving inspirational. Aileen manages our association with the Love to Sew the feedback that comes with the welfare appointments, she makes group in Shepparton. relief in having a nappy bag to take baby ‘cakes’ for new mums, she to hospital, or use when the mums sews, organises the material aid and Last October the Love to Sew are ‘out and about’ with their baby. is a highly respected mentor and women won the prestigious team leader. Victorian Senior Achievement Aileen also volunteers with Award for services associated with Shepparton Villages where she Over the years Aileen has worked improving the wellbeing of older does everything from calling Bingo in the community services sector people in the community. Aileen has to teaching Residents how to sew as a registered nurse and family used her creative talents to assist in and make their own jewellery. day care worker. She has travelled making handcrafts for the elderly, Her pastimes include quilting, around Australia and worked in homeless people, and refugee making dolls and china painting. remote aboriginal communities groups in the area. Amongst other A sample of her craft is on display with her husband Gordon and their things, they have raised funds to at our Essendon office. It replicates four children. support an orphanage in Romania, an illustration about Caroline We would like to acknowledge the CWA and local Hospice. Chisholm’s childhood from a book. the contributions Aileen has made They also donated $500.00 to Members and friends of CCS might to GVPFSS and hope we continue GVPFSS, which we have used to remember a competition that was to benefit from her input and purchase 20 nappy bags for new held in 2015 calling for design gentle wisdom. and expectant mothers. Aileen ideas for Shepparton’s Baby Box suggested we purchase these and Aileen (on right) with Yoslinde sorting clothes.
Annual Report 2016–2017 9 Our President and CEO’s Report
For just over five years we have We need more staff offering more worked together as President and services that we know work because CEO of the Caroline Chisholm Society. we wish to ensure that expectant and Pregnancy and family support has new mothers and their babies who changed markedly in Paul’s 25 years are facing poverty, homelessness, on the Board, and over the last five social isolation, family violence, and years, supported by Helen, the Board mental health problems are supported and management have led the Society to resolve their concerns. to a now stable asset base from which In practice, our Clinical Governance we can offer services. Committee and the data it considers A great highlight in 2016–2017 will come to the forefront. For year was the 4 March, 2017 example, our data showed an increase Paul Webster opening of our new service hub at in working with families with a history President and Director 977 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon of violence and we are now offering (see page 2). With this new fit for the Children and Mother’s in Mind purpose site, the use of the former programme (see page 26). Funded by Wirrigirri kindergarten in Darebin the Victorian Government, and led Place, Caroline Springs and the use of by Children’s Protection Society, the the annex of 15A St Andrews Road programme builds on our experience Shepparton, we are now confident of the Mothers in Mind® programme, of our positioning to implement which we brought to Australia in our strategy, “to grow into three partnership with the University sustainable locally embedded sites in of Melbourne last year. Caroline Moonee Valley, Caroline Springs and Chisholm Society is working with Goulburn Valley by 2025”. McAuley Community Services for Women and VincentCare to deliver The strategy is this because we face the service. We have several other a great challenge in meeting demand special projects underway, which are Helen Cooney for our services. We have received indicative of our collaborative and Chief Executive Officer more funds, but find we regularly responsive practice in helping to meet support more complex families and the needs of families. would like to work with families earlier to obviate the problems they Achieving the vision for our services face in the first place. This year, the will be affected by a major drive number of home visiting clients with for sector reform coming from the whom we worked went down due Victorian Government, from which to the need to spend more time we receive the greatest proportion with those families. Conversely, of our funding. There has been the number of clients we saw in a Royal Commission into Family Shepparton increased, because we are Violence, there is a policy direction more available and the demand for for Child and Family Services called our service is strong. the “Roadmap to Reform” which includes redesign of family services, the homelessness sector is being reformed, the ‘Education State’
10 Caroline Chisholm Society paper includes meeting the needs of Finally, we acknowledge the work vulnerable children through children’s of the staff, both employed and services, and a Parliamentary Inquiry voluntary. Karan Grieve has retired into Perinatal Services, which has a after 30 years of service, having health policy lens, is underway. started as a volunteer. Karan worked on the telephone line when it rang In truth, our dependence on the to people’s homes, operated as Victorian Government is too great, an out-posted worker in Sunbury, especially as decisions by the worked as a case manager operating Commonwealth Government also from Caroline Springs and retired in affect families in need given the role the role of Volunteer and Welfare of payments including those from Appointments Coordinator. We wish Centrelink, migration and refugee her well for retirement and look policy and health including Medicare. forward to her volunteering. Both the state and federal Caroline Chisholm Society does not governments are aiming to fund only offer a product, we offer people. measures that are “evidence-based”, Without them, families would be and while we’re encouraged by that worse off. This year, our team helped because we believe in doing things over 1,200 clients. And the vast that are right not just sound right, majority of those clients reported we will remain true to our tradition improvements in their lives as a of neighbourly good will and keeping result of our support or that they positive about parenting. We can only were very satisfied with our service. do that if we continue to diversify our So, to the teams in Moonee Valley, funding sources, for example through Caroline Springs and Shepparton philanthropy, sponsorships and taking led by Mo Connolly our Manager of up service provision opportunities that Pregnancy and Family Services, we are subcontracted. say Thank You. Together, we thank the Board for their commitment to expectant and new mothers over the last year. At our AGM this year, Frank Smit will retire from the Board. Frank has been a member of the Society since its inception and had several terms of service on the Board. We wish Frank and Pauline well for the year ahead and look forward their continued support for our work.
Annual Report 2016–2017 11 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Perinatal Services The health, care and wellbeing “Caroline Chisholm Society believes that: of mothers and babies in Victoria • the inquiry must be clear about the definition of perinatal services to during the perinatal period is effectively reform it in response to tragedies in the community and this being examined by the Family and requires mapping of health and social services as well as analysis of data, Community Development Committee of the Victorian Parliament. Caroline • however you define perinatal services, there is a clear need for better linkages Chisholm Society has prepared between health and community services in part in order to address the social a submission to the inquiry. It is determinants of health, available at www.caroline.org.au. • of all the social services (including housing) needed during the perinatal period the one in most dire need of investment and coordination is perinatal “Victoria can and should mental health, and • the disparity between rural and regional areas compared with metropolitan be the best place in the Melbourne needs redress. world to have and raise Victoria needs a perinatal service system that retains its distinctive cross‑sectoral your baby…” nature but is better coordinated.”
Administration & Counselling 03 9361 7000 Free call 1800 134 863 Facsimile 03 9361 7099 Email [email protected] www.caroline.org.au ABN 42 005 066 919 ACN 005 066 919
Ms Maree Edwards MP Chair, Family and Community Development Committee c/- The Executive Officer Family and Community Development Committee Parliament House, Spring Street EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 Inquiry into Perinatal Services
Dear Ms Edwards Caroline Chisholm Society (CCS) welcomes the Inquiry into Perinatal Services of the Family and Community Pregnancy and family support service Development Committee and provides our submission here. Victoria can and should be the best place in the world to have and raise your baby. Caroline Chisholm Society believes that: • the inquiry must be clear about the definition of perinatal services to effectively reform it in response to the community and this requires mapping of health and social services as well as analysis of data, tragedies in • however you define perinatal services, there is a clear need for better linkages between health and community services in part in order to address the social determinants of health, Submission to the • of all the social services (including housing) needed during the perinatal period the one in most dire need of investment and coordination is perinatal mental health, and • the disparity between rural and regional areas compared with metropolitan Melbourne needs redress. Victorian Parliamentary Victoria needs a perinatal service system that retains its distinctive cross-sectoral nature but is better coordinated. Caroline Chisholm Society is in a unique position to reflect on the experiences of mothers and children. For over Inquiry into Perinatal Services 45 years Caroline Chisholm Society has supported mothers and families in north and west Melbourne, the urban fringe and Goulburn Valley to offer a safe and nurturing environment for their children. At our Mother’s Day and Children’s Week parties, we gather the views of a wide range of mothers to inform submissions of this kind. We 2017 seek the views of volunteers engaged across the communities we work in. We also draw on the expertise of home visiting case workers who are working directly with expectant and new mothers and their families to prevent workers who help with navigation of the service system. homelessness and engagement with child protection, workers offering one-off appointments to give new and Family and Community Development Committee pre-loved baby and maternity goods and We hope all members of the Family and Community Development Committee will read and consider our views 58th Parliament of Victoria about how to make Victoria the best place in the world to have and raise your baby. Yours faithfully,
Helen Cooney Chief Executive Officer 13 July 2017
Goulburn Valley 15A Andrews Road Moonee Valley Shepparton VIC 3630 977 Mt Alexander Road Phone 03 5821 0826 Caroline Springs Essendon VIC 3040 Locations 1 Darebin Place Phone 03 9361 7000 Caroline Springs VIC 3023 Phone 03 9361 7000
12 Caroline Chisholm Society Our Organisation
provider in Victoria, we are a quality Tradition Strategy service provider in the Goulburn Valley, and evidence-based evaluation Caroline Chisholm Inspired by Caroline Chisholm, we support pregnancy, children and illustrates our success. (1808–1871) families. We were established in 1969 Our inspiration to love women and so that women can be supported Strong Finances their babies comes from Caroline to continue their pregnancies. The and Administration organisation has grown into a Chisholm. Mrs Chisholm lived By 2020, the finances of the Caroline professional agency of social and an admirable life responding to Chisholm Society will include regular community services for expectant the needs of youth with patience funding from diverse sources and its and new mothers. and energy. With the support of administration will assure seamless her husband Archibald and her Our strategy is to grow into three client experiences. We will continue children, she assisted people in sustainable locally embedded sites in to ensure that the Society is in a need, irrespective of their country Moonee Ponds, Caroline Springs and financial and administrative position or creed, by social reforms and Goulburn Valley by 2025. Our plan able to support its services. We will charitable work. She re‑united is for staff and volunteers to focus do this by fostering our relationship families, protected vulnerable girls, on effective services, strong finances with government, corporate sponsors placed the unemployed in gainful and sound governance. Our plan and philanthropists, and by growing work and achieved improvements outlines tasks that will ensure we have our private fundraising income. We for immigrants of little means. progressed towards our goal of being will also do this by ensuring our ‘bigger but not too big’ by 2020. documents and policies are consistent The Society The organisation is clearly focussed and simple to access. We will know The Caroline Chisholm Society was on supporting women with their if we are on track if we have secure established in 1969 to offer material pregnancy and early parenting ongoing financial support from aid and pregnancy counselling to create a safe and nurturing government, members and the services. It exists so that women environment for children. In doing community. We will also know if we can be supported to continue their so, we aim to prevent and alleviate are on track if our documents are pregnancy. Within a decade, the the impacts of poverty, homelessness, easily navigated and accessible from Society responded to the needs family violence and issues with any internet-connected computer. of the community and providing mental health. home and family support. Today, Sound Governance the Society is a professional agency Effective Services and Management of social and community workers, service support staff and volunteers, By 2020, the families supported By 2020, the Caroline Chisholm who offer pregnancy counselling by the Caroline Chisholm Society Society will be a model Community and support, material aid and family will be more able to keep children Service Organisation. We will support. The Society provides services safe and healthy. Parents, families do this by regularly updating that respond to the needs of families and communities will increase in and implementing policies and and supports them to achieve confidence as a result of our support. procedures that are informed by best and maintain a safe and nurturing We will do this by providing quality practice. We will know we are on environment. Caroline Chisholm family and pregnancy support, with track if membership, staffing and Society is a non-denominational authoritative leadership in social volunteering is strong and engaged, and non‑political charity. and community work locally and by our community knows what we influencing policy nationally. We will do, our regulators are satisfied also do this by locating our services and our clients are engaged in our closer to our clients. We will know we decision‑making. are on track if we are a free of charge, reliable and well-known service
Annual Report 2016–2017 13 Our Organisation
Engagement
We seek to be engaged...
...as experts in the national ...as locals in the communities ...as leaders in the Social and policy context for the concerns in which we operate Community Services Sector of our clients
1. Moonee Valley, where 1. State-wide 1. Pregnancy we’ve served as part of the 2. In the municipalities in which 2. Early Parenting neighbourhood since the we are locals and can identify early 1970s. 3. Early Childhood Education the pocket of disadvantage and and Care 2. Caroline Springs, where we in our neighbouring areas of opened in 2010, close to growth greatest growth: We are also interested in alleviating in families and part of the outer the key areas of risk for our clients: • Moonee Valley west and local rural community 1. Poverty we’ve been serving since • Melton 2. Social Isolation the 1980s. • Shepparton 3. Homelessness 3. Goulburn Valley, where our • Brimbank, and pregnancy support, listening • Wyndham 4. Mental Health ears and sound advice has been 5. Family Violence available since the early 1970s.
services. The purpose of this program This program offers ongoing support Services is to meet immediate needs with to help address underlying issues The Caroline Chisholm Society counselling or new and pre-loved related to pregnancy, early parenting, supports families from the moment goods and to empower clients to early childhood education and care, they learn of their pregnancy until engage with services that help avoid poverty, homelessness, mental health their youngest child goes to school. them needing to return. We measure and family violence. We measure the To meet our clients’ needs, funding the success of this program by looking success of this program by looking and donations of goods are received at the number of referrals of clients to at results of Outcome Stars. from government, philanthropic support services. organisations and families. Our Service New and Pre-loved offers a range of services delivered Family Support Goods Program through three key program areas: Program We supply new and pre-loved baby Assessment, planning and action as and maternity goods and services, and Pregnancy Counselling part of Child FIRST for families and other emergency relief such as food and Welfare children at risk of entering or re- and vouchers. entering the child protection system, Appointments Program This program offers an immediate support services for families including resolution to issues of access to General counselling and support for case management and in home goods, particularly in situations of families in person or over the telephone, support, housing support as part stress or poverty. We measure this pregnancy counselling referral to of the Transitional Housing Model program by the value of the goods maternity services, and referral to including advocacy, and social support we offer, usually in reference to other services where needed. including volunteer mentoring, our expenditure. This program offers one-off support volunteer maintenance and staff and support to access ongoing supported peer groups.
14 Caroline Chisholm Society Structures Governance
CCS Governance Committees of the Board
Members Governance and Risk Committee Chair: Phil Gatens (Secretary) Donors, regulators Members: F Smit; President and funding bodies In attendance: CEO Secretariat: Project & Compliance Officer Caroline Chisholm Society Board (President and Directors) Finance and Funding Committee Chair: Stephen Mullins (Treasurer) Members: F Smit; K Rowswell; President; Secretary Caroline Chisholm Society In attendance: CEO Operations Secretariat: Manager, Corporate Services (CEO) Property Committee Chair: Paul Webster Caroline Chisholm Society Members: S Rowland; T Fogarty; President; Clinical Operations Secretary (Manager, Pregnancy In attendance/ and Family Services) Secretariat: CEO
Clinical Governance Committee Chair: Gavin Kempin Members: K Rowswell; S Notaro; President; Secretary In attendance: CEO Secretariat: Manager, Pregnancy & Family Services
Annual Report 2016–2017 15 Our Organisation
Organisational
Chief Executive Officer
Pregnancy and family services Operational support Management Manager Manager * Supervision Project and (Pregnancy and (Corporate Compliance family services) Services)
Finance, Kinder Team Leader Governance CMiM Team Leader payroll, Participation (Child and Human Compliance (Community fundraising, Family Resources IT/Tel Programs) property and Services) OH&S admin
Volunteer and Appointments Coordination (GV & Melb) Operations
Melbourne Goulburn New and Mentoring Specialist Integrated Welfare and Groups Valley Welfare Pre‑loved and Homelessness Family Counselling Service Appointments Goods Maintenance Service Services Appointments
Short term support Ongoing support
16 Caroline Chisholm Society Quality Information for Pregnant and New Mothers This year, we are excited to have produced a suite of information brochures that support our discussions with families. They cover foetal and infant The information development, infant and child development, contraception options, and we produce pregnancy counselling. These documents are designed to provide a simple resource that can be supplemented with high quality online resources such The Caroline Chisholm Society as the Raising Children’s Network and the Better Health Channel. produces a limited number of brochures to support us Where we recommend you go for information in guiding you through your pregnancy and the early Raising Children’s Network years of your child’s life. The Raising Children’s Network is a comprehensive and practical Australian parenting website. Child Development: Your baby’s journey It offers reliable and evidence based child health and parenting information from your womb and activities to support parents in raising children aged 0–15 years. to your world – www.raisingchildren.net.au Conception to Better Health Channel Childbirth The Better Health Channel is one of the most popular health and medical ‘Your baby’s journey from websites in Australia. Produced by the Victorian Government, it offers health your womb to your world and medical information that is easy to understand. – Conception to Childbirth’ is a brief description of the www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au development of a child during this period. Maternal and Child Health 24-Hour Helpline The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Line is a statewide telephone service Child Development: available every day of the year for Victorian families with children from birth Your baby’s journey to to school age. kinder – From birth to Maternal and child health nurses can provide information, support and 4 years old guidance regarding a range of issues including child health, nutrition, ‘Child Development: Your breastfeeding, maternal and family health and parenting. baby’s journey to kinder – Call: 13 22 29 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week From birth to 4 years old’ is a brief description of the www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/parents/support/Pages/mchline.aspx development of a child during this period. Life Line Lifeline offers all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to Pregnancy Support 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Counselling People call Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis line about: Suicidal thoughts or attempts, ‘Pregnancy Counselling’ Personal crisis, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, Abuse and trauma, Stresses is a brief description of from work, family or society, and Self-help information for friends and family. the Caroline Chisholm Society model of counselling. Call: 13 11 14 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week www.lifeline.org.au Contraception Choices ‘Contraception Choices’ is a brief description of what options are available and how they work.
Annual Report 2016–2017 17 Our Programs
The programs offered by the Caroline Pregnancy Counselling as assessments and reviews, this Chisholm Society are categorised into includes: three key program areas: and Welfare • supportive counselling sessions • Pregnancy Counselling and Appointments in person or over the phone Welfare Appointments Program The Caroline Chisholm Society • referrals to other services such as that incorporates services offered Pregnancy Counselling and Welfare psychological services, maternity at appointments in Moonee appointments program operates services, Ponds and Shepparton at which from all Caroline Chisholm Society • counselling sessions offered each counselling is offered and new and offices. Counselling is available from fortnight of between one to two pre-loved goods are given. Moonee Valley and Caroline Springs, sessions. • Family Support Program that in person or over the phone on We believe we have supported incorporates our integrated family request. The Moonee Valley office families well if their lives have service, specialist homelessness offers appointments two days a week, improved in two main areas: service, parenting and play groups Tuesday and Wednesday during service, volunteer mentoring service business hours and clients can drop • Social – mothers have a better level and maintenance service. in on three half days per week at of social contact and Goulburn Valley. • New and Pre-loved Goods Program, • Pregnancy related health and which incorporates new and pre- Appointments are made for families wellbeing – loved baby and maternity goods to see a caseworker who provides – mothers are better informed and services, and other emergency new and pre loved goods, food and empowered to act, vouchers, and food. The program relief such as food and vouchers. – mothers are better able to also provides supportive counselling Our programs continue to operate in manage their emotional and and provides referrals to appropriate Moonee Ponds, Caroline Springs and mental health throughout the services as required. Shepparton, resulting in a focus on term of their pregnancy, Western Melbourne and the Goulburn The Pregnancy and Counselling – mothers engage in psychological Valley. We continue to offer a free support program conducts a treatment that they would not call telephone service from around range of activities and outputs to have accessed otherwise. the state. measure outcomes for families such Shortly before the end of last year, we changed our approach in Melbourne to be more consistent with our knowledge from Shepparton and learning from combining the role of offering these appointments with homelessness. This meant that the volunteer coordinator offered the appointments. We have since also had that role coordinate the new and pre-loved goods programs. This has been very successful in allowing volunteering to be more responsive to the needs of clients and helped achieved consistency in Shepparton and Melbourne. We look forward to further implementing this approach
Karen Grieve with food donated for families.
18 Caroline Chisholm Society in 2017 with the appointment of Family Support Caroline Chisholm Society staff new lead practitioner known as members work collaboratively with During 2016–2017, Caroline the “Volunteering and Welfare parents using the Family Star Plus to Chisholm Society continued to Appointments Coordinator”. measure progress towards change provide support to vulnerable families along the following domains: physical In 2016–2017, Caroline Chisholm and children residing in Western health, parent well being, meeting the Society had over 1000 short contacts Melbourne encompassing the LGA’s of children’s emotional needs, keeping at the Melbourne and Goulburn Valley Moonee Valley, Wyndham, Hobson’s children safe, social networks, offices. For Goulburn Valley, some Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, education and learning, boundaries 580 clients visited, many more than Brimbank and Melton. The Caroline and behaviour, family routines, home last year. Our Melbourne office was Chisholm Society provides support and money and progress to work. stretched as we moved the service for families with young children six We have supported families well if to Caroline Springs during the year. years and under. We seek to empower their lives have improved in three However, our service has bounced women and families; our philosophy main areas: back and there is a particular focus assumes that parents have an existing on our work in appointments since set of skills and assist them to further 1) Housing and home life – Parents opening in Essendon at page 2–3. develop their parenting capacity. They are better able to secure a safe We know the families are in need, so are in the position to provide a safe environment for themselves and we do our best to meet their needs and nurturing environment for their their children, parents are better through this program. children and can be better equipped able to maintain a positive family routine and better able to set Pregnancy and parenting is the most to meet the developmental needs of appropriate boundaries for their relevant issue for our clients in this their children. children. program. Once their children are The Integrated Family Services and born, they are supported through Specialist Homelessness Service 2) Social – Parents have a better level home visiting programs as opposed programs conduct a range of activities of social contact for themselves to this appointment-based program. and outputs which we use to measure and their children. By far the greatest issue faced by outcomes for families. Our activities 3) Health and Wellbeing – Parents are clients presenting to our offices was include, home visits, assessment, better informed and empowered poverty, followed by issues related planning, and review of goals and to act, parents are better able to to migration and/or being a refugee. action plans, referrals to appropriate manage their own emotional and These were closely followed by services, client advocacy, supportive mental health, parents are better housing stability and family violence. counselling, parent education able to respond to their children’s There are several factors we believe groups and volunteer support via emotional needs, parents are are causing this. First, the nature of the mentoring and maintenance better able to provide a healthy our service being emergency relief and programs. lifestyle for their children. provision of goods, but we believe the greater proportion of financial Integrated Family Service Embedded in our practice is a way issues we have seen this year is due to Casework is usually undertaken in to avoid working with complex child the number of migrants or refugees the home and is focused in assisting protection cases. We call it ‘early living in the community without parents to develop their parenting intervention’ by aiming to receive support payments. This varies from skills. Using the Outcome Star tool, referrals for parenting support from our ongoing clients whose primary we aim to strengthen the capacity universal services. Through the project issues after parenting are mental of families to effectively parent their Engaging Wyndham Families, we have health, housing and family violence. children. By reviewing progress built relationships and are working The client data is presented on along the Outcome Star domains innovatively (see page 23). pages 28–38. and assessing their journey towards change, the client can receive immediate feedback on how they and the worker think they are travelling.
Annual Report 2016–2017 19 Our Programs
In 2016–2017 the Integrated Family family is facing, such as financial We are delighted that all of our Service program provided over 12,000 difficulties, violence, legal and medical offices have onsite facilities for hours of casework support to over issues and substance abuse. These group work with families. This is 200 clients across our catchments. issues associated with long-term possible because we have the new Of these, 41% were born in a country homelessness further complicate a site in Essendon complete, we have other than Australia, 18% of whom family’s ability to find stable long-term permission from Melton Council were born in Asia, 9% from Africa accommodation. to use of the former Wirrigirri and 3% the Middle East. Our data for Preschool in Caroline Springs, and To create the best possible 2016–2017 indicates that the Family we remain co-located with Radcom environment in which families can Support program supports families in Shepparton at St Andrews Road. work on the issues that led to their experiencing a broad range of issues Indeed, the space in Shepparton is homelessness, workers adopt a with particular needs for support so suitable for groups that Save the holistic approach, building on the with pregnancy and parenting, Children are running a kindergarten individual strengths of the family mental health, family violence, social from it at present. members. At Caroline Chisholm and physical isolation, poverty, and Society, we believe it is essential that Caroline Chisholm Society is proud household and housing issues. All of families who have faced multiple to have piloted the Mothers in Mind® these influence the capacity of parents challenges and have been homeless (MIM) program with the support to provide for the needs of their receive a timely response, with a provided by the City of Melton, The children. The client data is presented high level of support to increase their University of Melbourne and the on pages 28–38. chances of succeeding and breaking Western Integrated Family Violence Specialist Homelessness Service the cycle of homelessness. Partnership (WIFVP). A case study of the program can be found on The Society’s Specialist Homelessness Last year, we built on our learning page 26. We are pleased to be able to Service provides short to medium from a previous iteration and report that we have now been funded term housing for vulnerable pregnant combined the role with Integrated for a program that builds on our women, and families with young Family Services, which allows the case learnings called Children and Mothers children. The Society operates four manager to be working with ongoing in Mind, about which details can be transitional properties in the Moonee clients across the week giving the found on page 27. Valley area. Intensive support is homelessness program flexibility to offered to families in these residences deal with the unexpected needs of Mentoring Service for an initial period of 12 weeks. this particularly vulnerable cohort. Our volunteer mentoring service If the family requires ongoing During 2016–2017 the specialist helps women and their children support in relation to issues other homelessness service provided through friendship, support and skills. than housing, the homelessness 21 episodes of support. These families Engagement of a volunteer mentor is worker is encouraged to refer the are usually also engaged with Caroline identified and targeted as part of the family to Integrated Family Services Chisholm Society through other clients case plan. We then have them for parenting support and linkages programs to help them with their matched with a suitable mentor. We to other services as necessary. The parenting needs. After homelessness, usually have 5 to 10 mentors working homelessness worker continues the top issues these clients presented with our families at any one time. to support the family until they with were, 1) relationship breakdown Some take on more than one client are transitioned into an ongoing 2) unemployment 3) family violence to mentor, so we often have 8 to residence. and 4) health. The client data is 12 clients engaged with a mentor. Increasingly families come into the presented on pages 28–38. We find many of our clients are program with a range of complex located in the growth areas, whereas needs and difficult personal situations. Groups Service most of our volunteers are from the This causes a delay in being able to Caroline Chisholm Society focusses inner and central western suburbs. address the housing needs as the on group work as it helps to reduce In that context, we plan to focus worker endeavours to address more social isolation for families after the our recruitment in the growth areas urgent issues and problems that the significant transition to parenting.
20 Caroline Chisholm Society How the Specialist Homelessness Service works The Specialist Homelessness Service and housing providers gather to works with children and parents share ideas, offer support for each that have escaped family violence, other and provide governance for come from CALD backgrounds, live the service system. One valuable in overcrowded situations, or are resource to mention is the “Through parents under 25yrs who require a child’s eye” resource which helps assistance to move in to independent parents deal with the trauma that living arrangements. Parents and children face when they are at risk of children can present to our service homelessness or are homelessness. with no more than a little back pack Case studies of what has been and nowhere to reside and leave achieved: our service with a long-term place to reside and have more belongings 4 families are in long term public than a small back pack. The service housing after we supported families also offer secondary consultations to through transitional accommodation. support workers within the Caroline That’s 4 adults and 7 children with Chisholm Society to help guide secure housing. them in preventing homeless. The 2 families have successfully entered continued connection to their homelessness case management into the private rental market community. That’s 2 adults and part of the role has supported through our case management 3 children who lived through the risk families to prevent or address long and the support of our networks of homelessness. term homelessness for children at SASHS, Vincent care and WIRE. 1 family, with 1 adult and 3 children and parents. That’s 2 adults and 5 children in was supported to access social We have built resources within better accommodation. housing with the private rental Caroline Chisholm Society by 1 family was advocated for to program at Melbourne City Mission. attending the Local Area Service DHHS Office housing to prevent This was achieved through good Network meetings, where local the breakdown of a lease which liaison and networking by the homelessness service providers secured 1 family and 1 grandmother Caroline Chisholm Society worker.
in coming years. Some examples of vegetables and, like the example and related to safety in the home. the work in recent years includes below, helping a client get by while The service is also intended to support preparing healthy meals and snacks, living with post-natal depression. male volunteers in the traditionally meal planning and shopping, assisting female orientated service provide role a mother who has a newborn Maintenance Service models to children. Some examples and a toddler to do the shopping, Known as ‘Handy Home Helpers’ of the work in recent years includes introducing new foods to a baby our volunteer maintenance program mowing lawns, brushcutting yards, who is being weaned, unpacking a helps to maintain the homes of repairing damage to plaster walls, house following a move, modelling pregnant women and their children, assembling bunk beds, replacing play, assisting a mother to find child increase self-esteem and house pride and repairing doors, assembling a activity centres and supporting a lady in parents, and increase healthy male flat pack wardrobe, fitting safety to improve her literacy skills. Learning volunteer engagement with families gates, installing smoke detectors and to read is wonderful. This allowed in order to benefit at-risk women and repairing furniture. a client to get their learner driver their children. Tasks are intended to permit. We also did some helping be responsive to the expectations of prepare healthy meals with unfamiliar landlords to reduce the risk of eviction
Annual Report 2016–2017 21 Our Programs
Special Projects Hub facilities: This year, we’ve also essentials, and make sure they meet The Society undertook many special shared our office in Caroline Springs safety requirements. We sometimes projects this year. with the Family Wellbeing Service get the goods from colleagues who run by CatholicCare Melbourne, also help mums, like The Nappy Service Delivery: We have worked on MacKillop Family Services and the Collective and St Kilda Mums. We ® Mothers in Mind and are preparing Victorian Cooperative on Children’s then re-home these items to families to work on the newly funded Children Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG). and Mothers in Mind (see page 26). The program is an early intervention Buying vouchers! We have brought the Vulnerability program that aims to enhance Framework Toolkit from BestStart in the resilience, mental health and During the 2016–2017 Shepparton to Melton (see page 36). wellbeing of children and young Two senior practitioners worked on people. This program supports parents financial year we provided the Kindergarten Participation Pilot to develop skills and confidence $2,780 to 68 adults and (see page 25). More special projects to enable young people to reach 89 children in grocery are anticipated as we continue to their potential. prepare for reform (see page 23). vouchers. Research engagement: In working New and Pre-loved The majority of these on our practice, we have been active Goods members of the Sector Research clients needed financial Our New and Pre-loved Goods Partnership. The strengths of the assistance due to financial partnership were acknowledged program offers a particular focus on by the Victorian Government and goods that are helpful for families hardship “OPEN” is a new entity, which during and after pregnancy. We offer builds on the existing Sector many baby and maternity goods in need. In that context, our objectives Research Partnership (SRP). The to our clients to help alleviate the in the program are diverse. With SRP is co-chaired by the Centre immediate impacts of poverty. We do regard to our social objective, we and the University of Melbourne, so with a view that clients accessing aim that clients have a better level of connecting researchers with workers the goods should be empowered to social contact. For example, access to to strengthen the evidence base for access other services that can help a pram allows a mother to leave her policies and practice in Victorian child them to prevent the need to return home with her baby. The health and and family services. for more goods. The program is also wellbeing objective is that parents are a critical support to our other two better able to sustain a secure living Workforce survey: Our desire to be programs: pregnancy counselling environment, including providing leaders in the sector has allowed and welfare appointments and family for their children’s food and material us to participate in many activities, support including homelessness. In needs. We do that by ensuring that including a Family Services Workforce addition, with thanks to the Moonee the goods are provided through a Survey. The Survey indicated that Valley City Council, we also offered social and community sector worker. our workforce is highly qualified this program to partner agencies. There are also environmental benefits and very capable at responding to We have now incorporated the from our work. Environmental risks presented for children. We’re distribution of goods to workers wastage from new and used goods less confident when it comes to into our new program structure is reduced. The program is only appearance at court. As a result, we and the Council will be funding us able to run due to the generosity of have increased our budget for training to realise our vision of a warm and our volunteers who administer the and clinical consultancy to ensure we welcoming environment for families program and our donors who provide can help the team support families in Essendon, including the distribution the goods we pass on. through these challenges. of goods. We receive donations of nursery equipment and recycle prams, bassinets, clothes and other baby
22 Caroline Chisholm Society Responding to a Rapidly Changing Environment
Child and Family The fact that our environment is VACCA with Aboriginal and Torres changing so much suggests a great Strait Islander families and Anglicare Services Reform: need to hold to our tradition, respond to help with the central intake system. Prevention, Partnership, to the families as they present and We’re calling the project ‘Engaging and Evidence not be distracted by the change that Wyndham Families’ and are aiming to our CEO sometimes calls ‘the policy 1) support in a more timely and Following the Royal Commission into and strategy noise’. Our role in such efficient manner – manage Institutional Responses to Child Sex an environment is to deliver services, demand, Abuse (Commonwealth), the Royal deliver them well and ensure that we Commission into Family Violence are responding in practical ways to 2) offer outreach services for families (Victoria), and the governments the changes. directly, responses to these, increasingly Child 3) undertake secondary consultations and Family Services need to respond We are aiming to be ‘reform ready’ with those working with families – to reform. This year, in the context by working in the full spectrum of MCH nurses, teachers and others, of proposed support and safety complexity – from Early Intervention hubs for families, there is Family through to reunification. We’re 4) build partnerships with Wyndham Services Redesign underway. We are working on Prevention, Partnership, Council and other services in the increasingly expected to measure and Evidence. area outcomes. And the policy makers are Our Engaging Wyndham Families 5) run parenting and play groups or talking much more about evidence- Project demonstrates prevention. Our community education sessions and based and evidence informed practice. Partnership with ECMS demonstrates 6) offer information and resources. The environment we work in is, of our capacity and willingness to course, wider than the child and respond to the wider issues faced The project was a result of the 2015 family services sector. In particular, by the children we work with. Budget, in which the Victorian the changes to the homelessness and And our commitment to evidence Government announced $283 million housing sector affect our work in is demonstrated by our use of in funding over four years for programs helping expectant and new mothers, the ‘outcome star’ tool, delivery and services targeting Victorian ® children and families with ensuring of ‘Mothers in Mind ’, and our families, children and young people. they have a roof over their head. willingness to work on ‘Children and The funding supports early intervention Early Childhood Education and Care Mothers in Mind’. services for vulnerable families. is being reshaped by the Victorian This was, in part, a response to Governments “Education State” Prevention – Engaging recommendations from the Victorian statement. The changes in the health Wyndham Families Auditor General Office (VAGO) which sector are designed to respond to led to a review of Department of Caroline Chisholm Society has a the social determinants of health. Health and Human Services (DHHS) special role in the City of Wyndham We note the new Western Women’s funded programs for vulnerable working with Early Years services and Children’s Hospital that is being families. DHHS provided the extra such as Maternal and Child Health built and the Victorian Parliamentary funding state-wide to Child First and nurses, Kindergartens, and Hospital Inquiry into Perinatal Services. Integrated Family Services Alliances to Social Workers to better engage trial different ways to meet families’ And wider again is the funding context with families as early as possible – to needs in Victoria’s fastest growing largely driven by the Commonwealth. prevent families getting into crisis and areas, especially where population The Commonwealth are the funders of entering into Child Protection system. growth was faster than growth child care, support payments (including We are doing this in a co-ordinated in infrastructure (buildings, roads, for asylum seekers, refugees and way with other agencies focussing transport etc.) and community services. migrants who are a large proportion on the growth area of Wyndham We plan to measure outcomes of the of our clients), and homelessness Vale. IPC Health and Catholic Care interventions so that we know if and support. There is also change afoot in are working with primary schools, how the project makes a difference. each of these policy areas.
Annual Report 2016–2017 23 Responding to a Rapidly Changing Environment
Staff Reflection and Case Study from Engaging Wyndham Families Engaging Wyndham Families is gain. The 3-year-old child was direction, relief and more time a Western Melbourne Child and also on waiting lists to be seen by to allow her to focus on her two Family Services Alliance program medical professionals. The property older children. It also helped the that provides Early Intervention the family resided in was not older children with understanding support for vulnerable families appropriate and did not provide a their younger siblings’ health and residing in the City of Wyndham. secure space to meet the young wellbeing needs and enabled the The project is the outcome of child’s needs. The family was on a older children to view their younger initiative from Department of Health waiting list to be transferred to a sibling in a more empathetic and Human Services in partnership more appropriate property. light, knowing now that there is with the five agencies within the reason for her behaviours rather Through the Engaging Wyndham Western Melbourne Alliance. than simply viewing her as being Family program, I was able to challenging and disruptive to them. I am the key engagement worker support the family to secure a for Caroline Chisholm Society. We more suitable home, and Caroline Coming from a Culturally and provide support to pregnant women Chisholm Society provided funding Linguistically Diverse culture, this as well as expectant parents and for the family to relocate. child had previously been seen as families with pre-school age children challenging and unwelcome in their I was also able to support the family (0–5) experiencing vulnerability social setting. The new health and while the child was assessed by a and complex issues in liaison with wellbeing information showed the Royal Children’s Hospital Paediatric hospitals, Maternal and Child child in a different light and allowed Fellow thereby having the 3-year- Health services, Early Years and the family to be supported from old child diagnosed, the diagnosis Parenting Services. The key worker within their extended family and assisted to provide direction to the focuses mainly with families within community. mother and the whole family. With Wyndham Vale providing early an appropriate diagnosis, we were As Engaging Wyndham Families is a intervention work via short-term able to to link in with Centrelink to short-term program, in consultation support, case management and ensure the mother applied for and it was assessed that the family group work. received Carer Payments for her would benefit from involvement One of the families I had the child. I engaged with and worked with an Integrated Family Services pleasure of working with was closely with other services such as Program who could holistically a family from Africa. The family The Royal Children’s Hospital, dental support the entire family, including consisted of a sole parent with three health and Sunshine Hospital to the older children. With this in mind children aged; 8, 5 and 3 years old. make certain the child was seen by the family was linked in with Family The family was on a waiting list with Speech Therapist and Autism Clinic. Services. I continued to support the the Early Childhood Intervention Supporting the mother in these family until the family had been Services for the youngest child appointments was an essential part allocated a new worker, to ensure who had significant developmental of my role. they had a smooth transition from delays, very limited speech, limited service to service. Though all this service and support self-care skills, aversion to food and was focused on the youngest child other health issue such decayed in the family, it gave the mother teeth, anaemia, and low weight
24 Caroline Chisholm Society Partnership for Kindergarten Participation – ECMS Thanks to an outreach family support The intention and purpose of the pilot was to: pilot program led by ECMS and 1. Assist kindergarten services within the catchment area to fill pre-purchased funded by the Victorian Government places and sustain attendance. through the Department of Education and Training, Caroline Chisholm 2. Support kindergarten services and key referral agencies to engage families Society seconded two senior staff into experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage to enrol children who will be early childhood services to support eligible for three and four-year-old kindergarten for 2017 and beyond. inclusion in early start kindergarten 3. Support families who are experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage and to support the effective use of to access pre-purchased places. pre-purchased kindergarten places funded by the Victorian Government. Priority cohorts include: 4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 5. children known to Child Protection, including those in out-of-home-care 6. children eligible for Early Start Kindergarten and extension grant 7. children eligible for Kindergarten Fee Subsidy. Additionally, participation support focused on supporting services to engage families to increase access to three and four-year-old kindergarten programs in 2017. Caroline Chisholm Society worked collaboratively to ensure that the staff doing such a role were: 1. experienced enough to support highly qualified teachers with secondary consultations, 2. knowledgeable to help with effective linkage to secondary (integrated, innovative and intensive family services) and tertiary (Family Violence, Out of Home Care, Child Protection) community service systems, and 3. knowledgeable about parenting, family violence and financial counselling. The results of the project are clear: ECMS was able to support 98 children to access early learning services in 2017. These are children who more than likely would have otherwise missed out due to structural and financial barriers.
Annual Report 2016–2017 25 Mothers in Mind® to Children and Mothers in Mind Mothers in Mind® The program has session topics that Children and Mothers support mothers in exploring how In the last twelve months Caroline issues of trauma, along with notions in Mind Chisholm Society has successfully of self-care and self-compassion, In the year to come Caroline Chisholm delivered two ten-week ‘Mothers stress, feelings, safety and their Society will be a part of an Australian in Mind®’ (MiM) groups, with a child’s developmental stage and first program called, Children and total of nine mothers and their temperament, can impact their Mothers in Mind (CMiM). This new children participating in this unique parenting. Designed as a group program incorporates the current ten program. The focus of the program intervention, MiM supports mothers in week ‘Mothers in Mind®’ program is to intervene early in the lives of connecting with other mothers who along with an innovative extension young children (0 to 4 years) and have had similar experiences, reducing that will provide intensive support their mothers, who have experienced feelings of guilt and shame, while for mothers who have experienced trauma, in order to strengthen parent- increasing feelings of connectedness family violence. The program includes child relationships, enhance parenting and comfort. Mothers have the 1) comprehensive assessment, skills and reduce parenting stress. We opportunity to discuss the ways in 2) group work on responding to were very excited to run our second which trauma may have impacted trauma, rebuilding their relationship group at Wirrigirri in Caroline Springs, their parenting with the safety of (attachment) and sustaining the which is kindly leased to us by Melton knowing that others in the group are learnings, and 3) mother-child City Council. This was a perfect, child likely to relate to their experiences. individualised counselling. This friendly, space to run the group as it is underpinned by a case-work was former kindergarten. While MiM is a group for mothers approach. This new program who have experienced trauma; at MiM was developed and successfully will be available at five trial sites the same time, it’s also a mother- piloted in Toronto, Canada in 2005. across Victoria. Caroline Chisholm child play group. The mother and Following its success, program Society is proud to be working with child participate through singing, training was then provided in Victoria VincentCare (Marian Community) reading and playing with facilitators to various agencies in 2015, from and McAuley Community Services for encouraging interactions between there Mothers in Mind® commenced. Women. A consortium of agencies are mothers and their child. Facilitators In the past twelve months Caroline very excited about what’s to come! help to create feelings of comfort and Chisholm Society, in partnership with safety in the group, from a welcoming Children’s Protection Society, have first contact with a mother and child, revised and adapted components of through to an assessment phase and the program so that its suitable for then into group sessions. Importantly, an Australian audience. there is a therapeutic relationship that is nurtured between a facilitator and the mother and child.
This project is funded by Victoria State Government
26 Caroline Chisholm Society Case Study Initial Presentation During MiM Sessions Outcomes Two mothers, (names changed Both mothers disclosed previous There were many positive outcomes for privacy) were both referred to family violence and childhood for both young mothers. An ‘Mothers in Mind®’ by their case trauma. Maria engaged well with important outcome was the managers. Both mothers were other mothers and group facilitators friendship that was developed, apprehensive about attending the and became more confident to especially when isolation was a key group, but hopeful that the group speak when she realised that most component. Following the group would help them in some way. mothers had shared experiences. both mothers decided to remain Maria was a young mother with Sarah was observed to have an in contact and catch up for coffee a 4 month old baby, Sarah was immediate connection to Maria on the same day that the group also a young mother and had a and her young baby. Both mothers would normally run. Both mothers 3 year old child. Maria was isolated appeared to have good attachment said they felt relief in knowing with no family support and was with their children. As weeks went that they weren’t alone in their recently diagnosed with Postnatal by both mothers appeared to have thoughts, Maria said, ‘I remember Depression. Sarah was isolated made a strong connection with other mothers talking about their with little family support and was one other. Both mothers became struggles and feeling like… I’m also caring for her Mother who more confident in the group and obviously not the only one that feels was unwell. Sarah presented with would often contribute to group this way’. Sarah said, ‘speaking with little confidence in herself and her conversations. Both mothers other Mums actually made me feel parenting ability. Maria presented indicated that they wanted a normal’. withdrawn and stressed and spoke different life for their children than of perpetual thoughts of being what they had. judged as a young mother.
Annual Report 2016–2017 27 Our Clients
In a normal year, depending on Figure 1: State-wide data 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 funding available, Caroline Chisholm Society helps about 1,000 to 2,000 clients. Between 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, Caroline Chisholm Society helped over 1,200 clients. The majority of the clients (580) were seen at our Goulburn Valley office. Nearly 430 were contacts Non-Melbourne made in our Moonee Valley Benalla (2, 0) GOULBURN operations. These clients access our Campaspe (6, 0) VALLEY one off appointments for pregnancy Loddon (1, 0) counselling and support or for new Mitchell (8, 0) and pre-loved goods. Moira (24, 0) Moorabool (1, 0) 185 clients were supported for the NSW (3, 0) longer term. These are clients in Greater Shepparton (525, 0) our family services or homelessness Greater Geelong (2, 1) programs. We work with these Strathbogie (2, 0) families for 6 months to two years to help them set goals for themselves and achieve those goals. This number Hume (71, 0) Banyule (7, 0) is down from 226 last financial year, a Moreland (40, 0) Darebin (7, 1) change that is attributable to several Whittlesea (14, 0) Manningham (2, 0) factors, including Services Connect Yarra (8, 1) data reported through MacKillop NORTH Family Services not Caroline Chisholm Hume Moreland Society, and increased complexity of WEST EAST Western clients with whom we spend more Inner Eastern Melbourne Melbourne and time so we can help fewer. Brimbank Melton • Figure 1 (State-wide Location Data 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017) SOUTH shows that the Caroline Chisholm Moonee Valley (62, 15) Bayside Peninsula and Southern Melbourne Society is focussed on the Western Brimbank (90, 44) Melbourne (1, 0) Suburbs of Melbourne, with a Melton (53, 44) Casey (1, 0) high client load from the Cities of Maribyrnong (16, 19) Bayside (1, 0) Brimbank, Shepparton, Wyndham Wyndham (41, 64) Knox (1, 0) and Melton. We also have large Hobsons Bay (11, 17) Stonnington (1, 0) numbers of clients in Moonee Valley, Hume, Moreland and Hobsons Bay. Area not identified (9, 0) State-wide (1,007, 206) Interstate (3, 0) Total 1,216
Legend For each local government area, two figures are provided: 1st figure: Short contacts – Appointments (less than 2 hrs contact) 2nd figure: Long contacts – Home visiting (Greater than 2 hrs contact)
28 Caroline Chisholm Society Our clients respond well to the number of clients who access our concerns, we offer here some of fact that Caroline Chisholm Society Moonee Valley service from that the indicators from the Victorian operates as locals in our communities municipality. Child and Adolescent Monitoring – those in which we are located, System (VCAMS) as considered From experience, we know a lot Moonee Valley, Melton and Greater current in July 2017. We have also about the issues faced by women Shepparton, and those in which we used in these charts data from the during and after pregnancy, and offer services, Brimbank, Wyndham, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census indeed the needs of their children. Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay. We of Population and Housing 2006 To demonstrate some of their include Hume here, given the large and 2011. Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id. This data set Figure 2: Indicators related to during and after pregnancy shows that our neighbourhoods face the following issues: 40 000 30 • Figure 2: In relation to our focus 25 30 000 on pregnancy, Melton, Brimbank, 20 Wyndham and Hume have large 20 000 15 populations of young children 10 anticipated. Shepparton has a very 10 000 high teen pregnancy rate, while 5 Melton, Wyndham and Brimbank 0 0 also have many young mums (as Victoria Melton e well as Hobsons Bay and Hume). ri ban ndha Shepparton obsons a Marib rnong Moonee Valle • Figure 3: In relation to our focus on orecasted total pop lation Rate o teen pregnancies early parenting, with the exception aged 0 4 to 2036 of Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong who have developmentally Figure 3: Indicators related to early parenting vulnerable rates of approximately 7%, all our communities (Hume, 80 20 Brimbank, Wyndham, Melton, Shepparton and Hobsons Bay) have 60 15 rates above the state average with identified rates of vulnerability due 40 10 to developmental issues.
20 5
0 0
Melton e Victoria ri ban Shepparton ndha Moonee Valle obsons a Marib rnong
Rate o breast eeding Rate o children at 3 onths de elop entall lnerable
Sources: VCAMS Indicators and Population Growth Data as accessed Jul 2017
Annual Report 2016–2017 29 Our Clients
Figure 4: Indicators relating to early childhood education and care • Figure 4: In relation to our focus on early childhood education and care, 80 120 the chart demonstrates the need 100 for investment in kindergarten 60 80 participation in all early childhood settings, especially in Shepparton 40 60 and Maribyrnong. 40 20 • Figure 5: This table provides the 20 data points used in the graphs. 0 0
Melton e Victoria ri ban Shepparton ndha Moonee Valle obsons a Marib rnong
Rate o indergarten Rate o participation enrol ents in child care in indergarten
Sources: VCAMS Indicators and Population Growth Data as accessed Jul 2017
Figure 5: Source data for indicators that offer some policy context for the concerns of our clients
Early Childhood During and after pregnancy Early Parenting Education and Care Forecasted % of Forecasted population aged 0–4 to 2036 total Forecasted population aged 0–4 to 2036 Rate of teen pregnancies Rate of breastfeeding at 3 months Rate of children developmentally vulnerable Rate of kindergarten in child care enrolments Rate of participation in kindergarten
Victoria 392,520 10.4% 51.8% 9.5% 28.9% 97.9% Moonee Valley 6.3% 10,439 1.6% 57.4% 7.6% 36.5% 99.8% Melton 7.9% 25,137 12.3% 37.6% 11.3% 25.9% 102.4% Shepparton 7.0% 5,885 25.5% 46.4% 11.6% 40.2% 94.6% Brimbank 6.5% 14,181 10.7% 45.3% 13.3% 30.2% 97.6% Wyndham 8.5% 36,202 15.7% 42.0% 13.2% 29.8% 103.0% Hobsons Bay 6.9% 7,835 9.7% 56.6% 10.0% 38.4% 100.1% Hume 8.2% 27,491 9.9% 7.7% 14.3% 30.3% 102.6% Maribyrnong 7.2% 10,442 4.7% 63.3% 7.7% 40.9% 87.5%
Sources: VCAMS Indicators and Population Growth Data as accessed Jul 2017
30 Caroline Chisholm Society Figure 6: Types of issues reported by clients, by issue, 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017
800 ong Contacts Integrated a il Ser ices 185 clients presenting 1 016 iss es 700 Short Contacts in Metro Melb o lb rn Valle S 692 o 1 010 clients presenting 1 517 iss es 600
500
400
300
200
100
0
egal inancial Isolation Disabilit a bling Mental ealth Sex al Assa lt a il Violence Migrant Re gee eha io r Child S bstance Ab se o sing ho sehold D S In ol e ent Access to Ser ices Relationship Iss es Pregnanc Parenting ealth excl Pregnanc Separation rie and oss Ed cation and School Child
Figure 7: Country of Birth – Family Services Clients, 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017
Asia 18 ew ealand So th Paci ic Islands 1
n nown 8 A stralian 59 ther 41 Central A erica 1 Middle East 3 E rope 1
A rica 9
• Figure 6 (Types of issues reported whom face challenges associated family services stream were not by clients, by issue, 1 July with being a migrant or refugee. born in Australia. Of them, 18% 2016 to 30 June 2017) shows, The critical issues that clients were from Asia, 9% from Africa, consistent with 2015–16, that we home visit face are related and from 3% the Middle East. our clients’ most prevalent issues to mental health, homelessness, • Figure 8: This section shows our (after pregnancy and parenting) family violence and isolation. outcomes with a small sample are associated with poverty or • Figure 7 (Country of Birth – Family size of clients. It shows that nearly financial crisis. Financial issues Services Clients, 1 July 2016 to 41% of our clients felt they had a are particularly prevalent for 30 June 2017) shows that 41% of ‘big increase’ in their capacity to those clients presenting at our those clients we support through parent during the time we worked appointments program, many of the Victorian Government funded with them.
Annual Report 2016–2017 31 Our Clients
Figure 8: Outcome Star Results
Outcome star – Basic annual report – service What does this report show? Average increase and decrease in scores for each scale (Table) This report allows you to review This table shows the average first and last scores for clients included in this report. The difference between these two is the ‘change’, or outcome, shown in the column on the right. change made for service users up to a specific year and this can be used to Scale Initial Final Change provide an annual outcomes report. Physical health 6.9 8 1.1 It does this by comparing the most Your well-being 5.8 6.6 0.8 recent Star within the selected year for each service user and comparing Meeting emotional needs 7.6 7.9 0.2 it with an earlier Star which may not Keeping your children safe 8.6 8.3 -0.3 be within the selected year. Social networks 6.5 6.7 0.2 By default the first Star used in this Education and learning 7.6 8.3 0.7 report is the first ever for each service user. Use the ‘first Star’ filter below Boundaries and behaviour 6.9 7.4 0.5 to change this setting and the system Family routine 7.2 7.7 0.4 will automatically detect and use the Home and money 6.1 7.1 0.9 lower of the or second Star where a service user has three or more Progress to work 8.3 8.5 0.1 completed Star readings, and the first, Average 7.2 7.6 0.4 where the service user has no more than two Stars. Number of users whose Stars are included in this report: 41. Produced on 22/07/2017. You can change other options below Average increase and decrease in scores for each scale (Star) to include and exclude different Report shown: Average values displayed service users. All default settings are as shown on the filters below. Second Star First Star As with all outcomes reports, only service users with at least two completed and submitted Stars are included in order that their progress can be calculated.
Number of users whose Stars are included in this report: 41. Produced on 22/07/2017.
32 Caroline Chisholm Society Figure 8: Outcome Star Results (continued) • Figure 9: This section shows that 91% of clients coming to our What does this Star show? appointments at our Melbourne office responded with ‘very good’ Produced on: 22/7/17 or ‘excellent’ when asked ‘Please This star illustrates a report on Family Star Plus data for the 2016–2017 rate the booking service’. Integrated Family Services service showing the average progress (Apr–Mar) • Figure 10: This section shows that for each scale made by service users up to the time period: 93% of clients who responded to Including clients who. our request for feedback on our The report has been refined to show the following client groups only: family services responded with ‘yes’ – support needs All when asked ‘Overall, were you – ethnicity All satisfied with the service?’. – age All – gender All Figure 9: How our clients rate Stars used to produce the report were completed jointly Yes our appointments service or by worker. Retrospective stars were included. Yes Excellent 58 The initial reading used is the lower of first or second ever. Yes The final reading used is the most recent in the time period. Ver good 33 Percentage increase and decrease for each scale This table shows the average proportion of the clients included in the report whose score for a scale ood 3 has increased, decreased or stayed the same. Poor 3 Scale Decrease No change Increase Did not answer 3 Physical health 10% 31% 59% Your well-being 17% 29% 54% Figure 10: Were our clients Meeting emotional needs 24% 42% 34% satisfied with our home visiting Keeping your children safe 22% 54% 24% family service Social networks 22% 29% 49% es 93 Education and learning 15% 41% 44% Boundaries and behaviour 20% 31% 49% So ewhat 7 Family routine 24% 39% 37% Home and money 20% 17% 63% o 0 Progress to work 17% 59% 24%
Number of users whose Stars are included in this report: 41. Produced on 22/07/2017.
Percentage increase and decrease for each scale This table shows the proportion of the clients included in this report who are making progress, staying the same or slipping back based on their overall Star score, i.e. an average of their scores for each scale. A ‘big’ increase or decrease is defined as more than one point up or down across all scales. ‘No change’ means an average change per scale of between -0.25 and + 0.25
Big Small No Small Big Decrease Decrease change Increase Increase 12% 7% 20% 20% 41%
Number of users whose Stars are included in this report: 41. Produced on 22/07/2017.
Annual Report 2016–2017 33 Spotlight on Our Clients in Goulburn Valley
Best known for our community engagement and new and pre-loved goods, Goulburn Valley Pregnancy and Family Support Service is an innovative service (see Shepparton Collaboration for Pregnant and New Mothers) working a wide range of people (See Ethnicity). We estimate that at 580 appointments, we’ve given out over 2,300 items with a total value of $215,000.
Case Study – Meeting the Immediate Needs of Families Two months ago, we received a late This baby was the couple’s first child that they had insufficient clothing call from a Midwife at Goulburn and aside from the father’s brother, and nursery items for the baby. “I Valley Health. The nurse was keen there was no other family support was horrified to see that they have to finish her shift, but wanted to for the mother. NOTHING for the baby” was what confirm that we could help her with a she said. Fortunately, this mother Amongst other things we gave new mother who had recently arrived had her own mother visiting her from the family a Baby Box, clothing, in Shepparton to have her baby. The Malaysia, but her mother’s funds nappies, a baby bath, bed linen mother was required to spend an were diminished due to the cost of and a capsule for the car. We also additional night in hospital because flying out to Australia to be with provided them with a list of local she and her husband did not have her daughter. Both families were support agencies and encouraged a car seat to take the baby home extremely grateful for the support them to return to the office for safely. Arrangements were made for they received and they have since future assistance. And, as the father the father to pick up a baby capsule visited our office for material aid was unaware of how to find the from us and have it professionally and moral support. The babies are local fitting centre in Shepparton, fitted the following day. thriving and we always look forward we took him to a registered garage to their next visit. When the dad presented the next day, and paid for the car seat to be he attended the appointment with installed. (Which we managed to These case studies highlight the his younger brother who was able to get at a reduced rate because the need for adequate peri-natal speak and write English well enough Proprietor was able to recognise the services that ensure that vulnerable to convey what the family needed families’ circumstances). families don’t ‘slip through the to support the new baby. During our cracks’ due to the nature of their That same afternoon a Malaysian discussion, it was revealed that the work and inability to navigate the family came to the office for family were itinerant workers who had health and community services assistance. A Domiciliary nurse had travelled from NSW to Shepparton for sector in Shepparton. called ahead to say that she had work at a local orchard. arrived at the couples’ house to find
Ethnicity at Shepparton appointments, 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017
Asia 14
A rica 3 A stralian 71 ther 29 n nown 1
Middle East 11
Source: Internal CCS data accessed Aug 2017
34 Caroline Chisholm Society Shepparton Collaboration for Expectant and New Mothers The “Shepparton Collaboration for Implementing: Collaboratively, the Expectant and New Mothers” was a people of Shepparton decided that special project funded by the Helen the project would be to give out Baby Macpherson Smith Trust. The project Boxes (a Finnish model of Bassinet). was to select and implement one or This is called, “The Baby Box Project”. two achievable co-ordination projects In providing the boxes, the community for expectant mothers or who have sought a safe, simple and supportive children under school age. way to engage with local families. Goulburn Valley Pregnancy and Family The community loved its simplicity; The Baby Box comes Support Service – Caroline Chisholm it’s a box that’s recyclable and can with a gift to help Society – was funded to work with become a toy box. The community start cloth baby volunteers, families and colleague loved its safety; it’s a great way to and with safe sleeping advice. agencies in Shepparton, including encourage safe sleeping practices. Rumbalara, CatholicCare Sandhurst The community loved its model of of mums (9%) with the greatest and Save the Children, to identify support; it’s a way to engage with difference (averaging 1 point) what its future focus was to be for families to prevent social isolation, between their knowledge and support for mothers and their families, family violence, the impacts of confidence. including children and their fathers. homelessness and engagement • Caroline Chisholm Society will with child protection. Mapping: The project mapped continue to collect this information services for mums at 20 agencies, The results of the project were: to see if it changes over time or offering over 60 services, and as a result of being in touch with • A Shepparton specific parenting identified over 40 service gaps. Little us. All of those who collected a survey, seeking to understand the duplication was identified, but lack box said they are willing to provide knowledge and confidence of of coordination was raised – not feedback at a later date. new mums. And if there was a for a lack of will or facilitation, but question of confidence, to open • 36% of those receiving a baby rather lack of capacity to respond. up a discussion. box sought additional support. Logical skills matches were found Of those, the requests were for • 33% of respondents expressed through three key networks: Best support with: Financial support; a less confidence than knowledge. Start, Communities For Children, and Mental Health / Social Isolation Child And Family Services Alliance. • Q2 asked about ‘Coping with (incl. migration) / Flat Affect; Being ‘grassroots’, Caroline Chisholm having a baby’. Q1 asked about Disability / Chronic illness; Family Society was also able to connect ‘Looking after baby’. Q6 asked Violence; Accessing services when through Lighthouse and others. about ‘Knowing where to go in required; Parenting skills. the community’. Questions 2, Deciding: Five mothers, 15 volunteers • 36 Baby Boxes were given out, and 1 and 6 had the most number and 20 agencies decided together those 36 families had safe sleeping what Caroline Chisholm Society’s messages reinforced, a simple way role is in our community. With to put their hand up for help and a 4 named collaborators, 3 partners in supportive environment to receive decision making and 13 participating advice. 47% were the first baby for agencies, our agency listed 8 projects mum. 30% of the families identify suited to offering in our community. as Aboriginal. 25% identified their One such project was “Mother’s in culture as something other than Mind”, which has since been funded Australian, with the answers being as a demonstration project by the Malaysian, Macedonian, Muslim, Victorian Government. New mums helping us to design our Iraqi, and Indian. parenting survey.
Annual Report 2016–2017 35 Spotlight on Our Clients in Melton
Implementing the Vulnerability Framework Empowering Kindergartens with Knowledge of Vulnerability – 2016–2017 Funded through the “City of Caroline Chisholm Society is working Together with the Melton City Melton – The Club Caroline Springs with community kindergartens in Council, CCS identified that the Supplementary Grants”, the project Melton so that the teachers: tool is suited to our community. “Empowering kindergartens with One of the great challenges for CCS • receive training to achieve a shared knowledge of vulnerability” is is balancing the demand for high understanding of vulnerability designed to help the community in volume early intervention services the City of Melton implement the • have a double-sided sheet that (such as parenting groups) in the BestStart Vulnerability Framework Tool helping them to classify a situation face of increasing demand from Kit that was developed in Shepparton. into one of five categories of complex families (who Caroline vulnerability and indicative reasons Chisholm Society helps with home- What is the “Vulnerability (i.e. high level of vulnerability, visiting integrated casework). Caroline Framework”? moderate level, or developmentally Chisholm Society has always done on track). • Kindergarten teachers and both, but the balance is shifting in Maternal and Child Health nurses • have relationships with other the wrong direction. The Caroline in the Shepparton Enhanced Best services so that they can help those Chisholm Society believes this Start site were supported to write families: project will assist kinder teachers a “Vulnerability Framework”. – who are ‘high’ with a report with options for help and will assist In Shepparton, it is now being (e.g. to Child Protection/Police), our team in getting referrals earlier prepared with carers and educators – who are ‘moderate’ get help to prevent issues with, for example, in childcare centres. more easily (e.g. via ChildFIRST child protection. This will help • The framework is a two-sided piece from integrated family services families to achieve safe and nurturing of paper which is a quick reference like Caroline Chisholm Society environments for their children. guide for practitioners when home-visiting case workers The data it gave us about presented with a family in need. / Parenting or supported families in Melton • Having been trained in its use, playgroups / early childhood In Melton 128 children (29%) were the practitioner then uses it to intervention etc. etc.), considered vulnerable out of the total help them decide what to do next – who are ‘developmentally on of 447 that participated in the pilot (e.g. help within the program track’ have support from the data collection. versus refer to community services universal service. versus report to child protection). This work is seeking to ensure Melton kindergartens • Later, the practitioner collects that all kindergarten teachers in de‑identified data, which is used to Melton LGA are trained and use the Children plan services (universal, secondary vulnerability guide. considered and tertiary) in a way that is lnerable 29 Developed in Shepparton highly responsive to the needs of ‘by practitioners, with practitioners, the neighbourhood as identified Children not for practitioners’ the toolkit facilitates considered by universal services. lnerable 71 a shared/common understanding of child and family vulnerability by Maternal and Child Health Nurses and Kindergarten teachers. It is now, five years on, not only helping them identify families but also helping them plan services such as supported playgroups.
36 Caroline Chisholm Society Concerns in 1 or more areas 48 children were recorded by kindergarten teachers as experiencing vulnerability in only 1 area of concern, 5 areas 11 33 children were recorded as experiencing vulnerability in 2 areas 4 areas 10 of concern, 26 were considered 3 areas 26 vulnerable in 3 areas, 10 were considered vulnerable in 4 areas 2 areas 33 and 11 were considered vulnerable 1 area 48 in all 5 areas. 0 10 20 30 40 50 The main area of concern overall recorded by Melton kindergarten teachers was Family circumstances Concerns in areas 1–5 and economic environment with 79 children noted as experiencing vulnerability in this area. 1 area 37 5 areas 9 The second big area of concern was recorded to be child safety, stability, 4 areas 8 development and wellbeing with 2 areas 26 67 children noted as experiencing 3 areas 20 vulnerability in this area. Parent/carer capability was recorded Areas of concern as an area of concern for 61 children. Family composition and dynamics was Social and co nit Child sa et stabilit recorded for 59 children. actors 7 de elop ent and wellbeing 23 Social and community factors was Parent carer capabilit 21 recorded for 21 children. a il co position and d na ics 21 a il circ stances and econo ic en iron ent 28
Annual Report 2016–2017 37 Spotlight on Our Clients in Moonee Valley
January 2017 to June 2017
Since we’ve opened Some months we give out more than others. In in Essendon, for the January we gave out 86 items worth at total of $9,463 six months to June 30, February we gave out 213 items worth at total of $24,858 we’ve given out… March we gave out 186 items worth at total of $17,875 PRAMS 35 April we gave out 179 items worth at total of $20,532 HIGHCHAIRS 3 May we gave out 334 items worth at total of $26,549 BASSINETS 27 June we gave out 252 items worth at total of $33,361 211 NAPPY PACKS > That means, we’ve given out 1,250 items worth a total FORMULA 25 of $132,638 in the six months since we opened! 32 FOOD PARCELS > The total number of families we’ve seen at the 325 CLOTHES PACKS Essendon office is190 211 TOY PACKS > The total number of children in those 204 BUNNY RUGS families was 348 and many more miscellaneous items > And there were unborn babies too. The total that help meet the material needs of expectant and new families. number of pregnancies supported were 62
2016–2017 financial year
Region of origin – Moonee Valley welfare appointments, 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017
Middle East 42
E rope 2
A rica 12 A stralian 17 ther 83 So th A erica 1 ew ealand So th Paci ic Islands 4
Asia 23
Source: Internal CCS data accessed Aug 2017
38 Caroline Chisholm Society Our People, Neighbourhoods and Finances
Our People: Our Members, Board, Staff Volunteering Volunteering isn’t just something and Volunteers we love, it’s who we are. We were Established in 1969, the Caroline started by volunteers and our Chisholm Society is a member-based Board is still voluntary. organisation. Our members engage Join us in making a difference our Board and staff to run a charitable in the lives of pregnant mothers family support organization. We are and families with young children. a non-religious and non-political Contact us and ask for the organization. Our approximately volunteer coordinator. They are 100 members elect a Board of 12, located in both Melbourne and who appoint a CEO, who in turn Shepparton and are dedicated appoints our staff. Many of our to supporting volunteering. members are current or former volunteers who support our work VCAL pamper day included child care The value of our with clients directly or in support students putting into practice their training volunteering? functions in Moonee Valley, Caroline on interactions. Springs and the Goulburn Valley. Priceless! But attributable… most diverse, made up a team with We currently have over 120 active skills in family support, counselling, volunteers. Our life members, Board, Caroline Chisholm homelessness, volunteer coordination CEO and staff are listed at the front of and administration. Our Shepparton Society estimates that this report. Our team of over 20 staff team is largely voluntary, with a staff are dispersed across our sites, with in 2016–17 volunteers member to lead the practice in the the majority being home visiting social Goulburn Valley and a collaboration contributed $182,000 workers based in Melbourne’s western coordinator. Our new and pre-loved worth of time. growth zone at Caroline Springs in goods team is spread across the the City of Melton on the boarder • At our Melbourne offices, three sites. of the Brimbank local government on over 650 occasions, for area. Our Moonee Valley team is the over 2000 hours, volunteers contributed $72,000 worth of their time. • At our Shepparton offices, on over 1250 occasions, for over 4,000 hours, volunteers contributed $110,000 worth of their time.
Note: These figures are rounded. Most volunteering is attributed at $29 per hour, some specialist skills are given a higher value per hour (e.g. consultancy).
The Craft Group in Moonee Valley helping meet families material needs.
Annual Report 2016–2017 39 Our People, Neighbourhoods and Finances
Our Neighbourhoods: Moonee Ponds, Caroline Springs, Shepparton Our neighbourhoods are special to us. While we started in 1969, by 1972, we had opened in Moonee Ponds. By 1978, Shepparton. We opened in Caroline Springs in 2010, as a way of consolidating our former offices in Laverton, Melton, Sunbury and Bacchus Marsh. In Moonee Valley, we have longstanding relationships with Essendon, in Moonee Valley, includes the Caroline Springs, on the border of Melton many locals and organisations, and Essendon Quilters. and Brimbank, includes the Springs Stitches. this is the community from which we receive the greatest number of volunteers. The children of our neighbourhood bring their pre-loved goods to us so that we can re-home them. Our bonnet and shawl stall is held fortnightly on Puckle Street and in Niddrie. We are very grateful for the strong support we have from the retirement villages, local schools, service clubs and businesses. While most of our clients coming to the office in Moonee Valley arrive from other parts of Melbourne that are on the transport lines, such as the City Shepparton, in Goulburn Valley, includes GV Pregnancy and Family Support. of Hume, we continue to serve many St Columba’s school. Caroline Chisholm VincentCare (especially in responding people from Flemington, Kensington, Catholic College and Christ the Priest after the trauma of family violence), Ascot Vale and Avondale Heights. Primary have provided much support the Bridge (a community service The Moonee Valley City Council helps in helping us to help our growing for women under 26 years of age), us to help those who live, work and neighbourhood. We are grateful for the Primary Health Care Connect (who recreate in the area. We also serve a use of the former Wirrigirri kindergarten offer counselling), and Family Care large number of clients from the City at 2 Darebin Place. The City of Melton (a family service provider that includes of Hume from this office. helps us to help meet the needs of a ChildFIRST intake office) to achieve a In Caroline Springs, we locate most the growing community. We also stronger support network around our of our staff so they can be close to serve Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay clients. With regard to volunteering, the growth corridors of Melton and from this office. our partners in Shepparton include Wyndham and the large population in local schools such as Notre Dame, the Our Shepparton office is co-located Brimbank. We have fine facilities that local Special School who recondition with RadCom and the Save the are increasingly being used by locals prams, CentreLink and employment Children Kindergarten and operates to help our clients. For example, our agencies, and clubs and societies from an annex of the building. In Caroline Springs office is used for a (e.g. Love to Sew, Rotary, Lions and the Goulburn Valley, we work with pamper day for clients organised by the Soroptimists).
40 Caroline Chisholm Society Our People, Neighbourhoods and Finances
Our Finances Our Funders, Donors and Loyola College Chisholm House supported us with baby and In financial terms, it has been a and Supporters maternity goods. positive year for the Society. During Victoria: the financial year, the Society worked Goulburn Valley Community: • The Victorian Government through towards its objective to grow in • The Helen Macpherson Smith the Department of Health and three strong locally embedded Trust supported our Shepparton Human Services supports our sites. In Moonee Valley, this is collaboration project resulting in integrated family services and through a new community centre at the Baby Box project. The love to specialist homelessness services, 977 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon sew ladies supported us financially through the Western Integrated which opened in March 2017. In and with goods for clients. Melbourne’s western growth corridor, Family Violence Partnership we operate in owned and leased facilitated by Women’s Health West Moonee Valley Community: supports the Mothers in Mind® space in Darebin Place, Caroline • Noel & Carmel O’Brien Family Therapeutic Playgroup, through the Springs focussing on excellence in Foundation, the Noonan Family, the Department of Environment, Land, the prevention of engagement with Beck and Fox Families, Essendon Water and Planning, supports our child protection. At a leased office in Fields, Strathmore Community vision for an early years’ service Shepparton, the Society undertakes Branch Bendigo Bank, Australian hub in Essendon and supports a volunteer oriented emergency relief Lions Foundation, Lions Club of kindergarten participation through service within the disadvantaged Doutta Galla (Quilt – Esprit de the Department of Education community. Total revenue for the Corps Project), Schiavello Group, and Training and Early Childhood period ending June 2017 was Nelson Alexander Charitable Management Services. $3,084,412 which is not consistent Foundation, Chisholm House – with the prior period revenue of • The Shop Distributive and Allied Loyola College Watsonia, Essendon $1,586,271. The difference in Employees Association supported Branch of the Country Women’s revenue in 2017 is that due to the us to offer a state-wide telephone Association of Victoria Inc. and completion of a new building at line for pregnant and new parents, many others supported our 977 Mount Alexander Road, all grants which assists their members to campaign to remain in the Moonee and donations received specifically have a source of support for Valley at a new fit for purpose for the construction of the building their parenting needs while the site at 977 Mt Alexander Road, were transferred to revenue whilst SDA supports their employment Essendon. It would not have been all expenditure was capitalised. For relations. possible without support from detailed analysis of our financial • The Lord Mayor’s Charitable the Moonee Valley City Council, position, see our financial statements Foundation (Youth in Philanthropy), the Rotary Club of Essendon for the year ending 30 June 2017 the Association of Civilian Widows, and volunteers and members included in this report. Women of the University Fund of the Society
Rotary Club of Caroline Springs Rotary Club of Brimbank Central Chisholm House Loyola College
Annual Report 2016–2017 41 Our People, Neighbourhoods and Finances
• Our new and pre-loved baby and Melton and Brimbank Donors and Supports maternity goods are helped by Community: We also thank those who have made financial support from Rotary Club • The Club at Caroline Springs significant organisational and personal of Essendon, Specsavers Moonee through Melton City Council contributions of funds to allow us to Ponds, Christ Church Essendon supported us to hear the voices of operate. We are not able to name Opportunity Shop, the Country expectant and new mothers with a you all, but we are grateful for Women’s Association of Victoria Mothers Day’s event, focus groups your support. Inc. Kiwanis Sunrise Group, The and children’s week party, and to We particularly thank those treasured Women’s Association in Pascoe support kindergartens to meet the individuals who make the gift of their Vale, Penleigh and Essendon early education needs of vulnerable time be that with professional services Grammar School, Brimbank Church families with the Vulnerability or volunteer activities. There are also of Christ, Probus Club of Keilor and Guide Tool Kit. WestWaters Hotel too many of you to name. Nazareth College. The Moonee supported us to make our space Valley City Council supported us more accessible for people living The organisations that made in-kind to improve our partnerships and with disability and safer and more contributions to our operations are receive and provide pre-loved welcoming for volunteers. The also thanked warmly. goods to case workers on a Friday Melton City Council supported Locals in our neighbourhoods of and have committed to supporting the use of the former “Wirrigirri Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Caroline the service hub at 977 Mt Preschool” to offer a range of Springs and Shepparton help us Alexander Road, Essendon through services. And the Rotary Club of daily and the generous donations a community service subsidy. Brimbank Central supported our we receive from locals is deeply new and pre-loved goods program. encouraging to our team. We also thank our local council representatives and officials in the City of Moonee Valley, the City of Melton, the City of Greater Shepparton and A New Website! the City of Brimbank for their support. This year, we updated our website. We’re particularly pleased that it has We acknowledge the traditional a ‘translate’ button. owners of the lands on which we live, work and recreate as individuals, as an organisation and as a community.
42 Caroline Chisholm Society Our People, Neighbourhoods and Finances Our Year and Our Future
The 2016–2017 year included: • a great celebration with the opening of the new Moonee Valley office at 977 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon, • much welcomed support from Melton Council with space for us to offer community events, parenting and playgroups, and support for complex issues in families, and • the announcement of a Victorian Government funded partnership The 2016 AFL Grand Final was in Goulburn Valley, Children and Mothers in Mind. contested between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs. These are cause for great celebration at Caroline Chisholm Society as it signals The Western Bulldogs grew up a strong asset base, responsiveness to the growth and change in population in Footscray and extend their and the capacity of our Shepparton office to meet the needs of the modern catchment to Ballarat. The Caroline community while staying true to our tradition. Chisholm Society’s Caroline Springs office is located in the centre of 2017–2018 has begun and we are focussed on: their catchment. It was the Swans’ • improving our service through evidence-based programs such as Children fifth grand final appearance since and Mothers in Mind, 2005, while the Bulldogs were • building on the growth in Goulburn Valley to ensure we remain able competing in their first grand final to deliver our services, and since 1961. The match, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in • continuing our progress towards a new service record system to allow our front of 99,981 spectators, was journey towards better evaluation of our services to continue. won by the Bulldogs by a margin Together, these are a necessary platform for the Society to continue to support of 22 points, marking their second families in our community, given the increasing pressures placed on them. VFL/AFL premiership victory and As we support families through the complexities of life we know we need to first since 1954, breaking a 62-year grow ‘bigger but not too big’ if we’re to deliver on our promise to be there for premiership drought. It was also them with a listening ear as they seek our pregnancy counselling and support the first time in VFL/AFL history that appointments, ongoing family support services and new and pre‑loved baby a team won the premiership from and maternity goods. seventh place on the ladder. The win was story of resilience that all of Victoria rallied around, and Caroline Chisholm Society joined in, as its CEO is a member of the club.
Annual Report 2016–2017 43 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Contents
Financial Statements Directors’ Report F1 Auditor’s Independence Declaration F6 Independent Auditor’s Report F7 Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income F9 Statement of Financial Position F10 Statement of Changes In Equity F11 Statement of Cash Flows F12 Notes to the Financial Statements F13 Directors’ Declaration F20
44 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Directors’ Report
The directors present their annual report together with the financial report of the Caroline Chisholm Society (“the Society”) for the financial year ended 30 June 2017 and the auditor’s report thereon.
Directors The directors of the Society at any time during or since the end of the year are: Names Appointed/Resigned Teresa (Tess) Fogarty 10 September 1989 – present Paul Webster 17 September 1991 – present Franciscus (Frank) Smit 20 September 2005 – present Wendy Hunt 21 February 2006 – present Michael Christie 23 October 2009 – present Kate Rowswell 18 May 2010 – present Stuart Rowland 20 November 2012 – present Philip (Phil) Gatens 21 May 2013 – present Stephen Mullins 12 May 2015 – present Gavin Kempin 25 August 2015 – present Sarah Notaro 26 April 2016 – present Directors have been in office since the start of the financial year to the date of this report unless otherwise stated.
Principal Activities The principal activities of the Society during the financial year was the provision of support for pregnant women and families with young children. The objectives of the Society remain the provision of quality pregnancy and family support services, achieved via ongoing collaboration with our service partners, staff and community. There was no significant change in the nature of the activities of the Society during the year.
Company Secretary The following person held the position of Company Secretary: • Philip Gatens
Operating and Financial Review The net surplus of the Society for the financial year ended 30 June 2017 was $1,297,720 (2016: $11,034). A large proportion of this surplus is due to the completion of a new building at 977 Mount Alexander Road valued at $1.940 million. $1.171 million in grants and donations have been recognised as revenue as the conditions of the grants and donations have been met. Expenditure associated with the establishment of the premises (including $1.067m for the building and $168,500 in furniture, fittings and equipment) has been capitalised. There has been an increase in the net assets of the Society’s assets to $3.296m (2016: $1.879m).
Annual Report 2016–2017 F1 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Directors’ Report
Review of Operations In the directors’ opinion, it has been a positive year for the Society. During the financial year, the Society worked towards its objective to grow in three strong locally embedded sites. In Moonee Valley, this is through a new community centre at 977 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon which opened in March 2017. In Melbourne’s western growth corridor, we operate in owned and leased space in Darebin Place, Caroline Springs focussing on excellence in the prevention of engagement with child protection. At a leased office in Shepparton, the Society undertakes a volunteer oriented emergency relief service within the disadvantaged community. Total revenue for the period ending June 2017 was $3,084,412 which is not consistent with the prior period revenue of $1,586,271. The difference in revenue in 2017 is that due to the completion of a new building at 977 Mount Alexander Road, all grants and donations received specifically for the construction of the building were transferred to revenue whilst all expenditure was capitalised.
State of Affairs In the opinion of the directors, there were no significant changes in the Society’s state of affairs during the financial year, not otherwise disclosed in these financial statements.
Events Subsequent to Reporting Date There has not arisen in the interval between the end of the financial year and the date of this report any item, transaction or event of a material and unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the directors of the Society, to affect significantly the operations of the Society, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the Society in future financial years.
Future Developments, Prospects and Business Strategies Effective services, strong finances and sound governance are the stated strategic objectives of the Society. Financial management continues to be a major focus of the Society’s directors. Facilitated strategic planning in collaboration with operational staff and relevant key stakeholders has provided clarity in decision making about the most appropriate use of our scarce resources. The Society is actively exploring opportunities for growth in areas aligned with existing services.
Environmental Issues The Society’s operations are not regulated by any significant environmental regulation under either Commonwealth or State legislation.
F2 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Directors’ Report
Meeting of Directors The number of directors’ meetings and number of meetings attended by each of the directors of the Society during the financial year are:
Number eligible Number to attend attended Teresa (Tess) Fogarty 7 7 Paul Webster 7 7 Franciscus (Frank) Smit 7 4 Wendy Hunt 7 6 Michael Christie 7 6 Kate Rowswell 7 5 Stuart Rowland 7 6 Philip (Phil) Gatens 7 6 Stephen Mullins 7 6 Gavin Kempin 7 4 Sarah Notaro 7 5
Information on Directors
Teresa (Tess) Fogarty Director Qualifications – Experience Director since 1989 Special Responsibilities Moonee Valley Representative Member Property Committee
Paul Webster President Qualifications MA, LLB Experience Lawyer Special Responsibilities State and National Engagement Chair, Property Committee Ex Officio Member of all Committees
Franciscus (Frank) Smit Director Qualifications – Experience 40 years’ experience as Managing Director of Small Business Special Responsibilities Member, Finance and Funding Committee Member, Governance and Risk Committee
Annual Report 2016–2017 F3 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Directors’ Report
Wendy Hunt Director Qualifications Dip Teaching Experience 35 years’ education field; other 20 years in pregnancy support Special Responsibilities Goulburn Valley Representative
Michael Christie Vice-President Qualifications MB, BS, FRACGP Experience General Practitioner, West Brunswick Clinic Special Responsibilities Vice-President
Kate Rowswell Director Qualifications BBus (Acc) CA Experience Financial Accounting and Reporting Special Responsibilities Member, Finance and Funding Committee Member, Clinical Governance Committee
Stuart Rowland Director Qualifications Law; B.Th. (SCD); B.Litt. (Melb) Experience Lawyer Special Responsibilities Member, Property Committee
Philip (Phil) Gatens Secretary Qualifications BBus, Grad Dip (BIS), FCPA Experience Internal Audit Manager in Financial Services Sector Special Responsibilities Chair, Governance and Risk Subcommittee Ex Officio Member of all Committees
Stephen Mullins Treasurer Qualifications Dip Financial Planning, Dip Financial Markets, Cert Business Studies (Accounting), Cert Superannuation Management Experience Financial Services and small business management and operations Special Responsibilities Chair, Finance and Funding Committee
Gavin Kempin Director Qualifications Dip YW, Grad Dip AE&T, M Ed. Experience Practitioner and Senior Manager in Community services sector, consultant and Project Management Special Responsibilities Chair, Clinical Governance Committee
Sarah Notaro Director Qualifications B Ed (Primary) Experience Primary teaching Special Responsibilities New Parent Representative Member, Clinical Governance Committee
F4 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Directors’ Report
Indemnifying and Insuring Officers or Auditors The Society has insurance for each of the directors against liabilities for costs and expenses incurred by them in defending any legal proceedings arising out of their conduct while acting in the capacity of director of the Society, other than conduct involving a wilful breach of duty in relation to the Society.
Dividends The Society’s constitution precludes the payment of dividends.
Significant changes in the state of affairs In the opinion of the directors there were no significant changes in the state of affairs of the Society that occurred during the financial year.
Auditor’s Independence Declaration The auditor’s independence declaration for the year ended 30 June 2017 has been received and can be found on page 6 of the financial report. Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors:
Director: ...... Paul Webster
Dated this 22nd day of August 2017
Annual Report 2016–2017 F5 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Auditor’s Independence Declaration under subdivision 60-C section 60–40 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 to the Directors of Caroline Chisholm Society
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 June 2017 there have been: (i) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 in relation to the audit; and (ii) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
Name of Firm: Badawy & Associates Registered Auditor 7918
Name of Principal: ...... Joseph Badawy
Address: Suite 101A/486 Whitehorse Road, SURREY HILLS 3127
Dated this 30th day of July 2017
F6 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of the Caroline Chisholm Society
ABN 42 005 066 919
Report on the Financial Report I have audited the accompanying financial report of Caroline Chisholm Society which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2017, the statement of comprehensive income,statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies, other explanatory information and the directors’ declaration.
Director’s Responsibility for the Financial Report The directors of the Society are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
Independent In conducting my audit, I have complied with the independence requirements of the Australian Charities and Not- for-Profits Commission Act 2012. I confirm that the independence declaration required by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012, which has been given to the directors of Caroline Chisholm Society, would be in the same terms if given to the directors as at the time of this auditor’s report.
Annual Report 2016–2017 F7 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of the Caroline Chisholm Society
Basis for Qualified Opinion Donations and other fundraising activities are significant sources of revenue for the Caroline Chisholm Society. The Society has determined that it is impracticable to establish control over the collection of donations and funds from other fundraising activities prior to entry into its financial records. According, as the evidence available to us regarding revenue from these sources was limited, out audit procedures with respect to donations and other fundraising activities had to be restricted to the amounts recorded in the financial records. We therefore are unable to express an opinion, as to whether donations and other fundraising revenue the Caroline Chisholm Society recorded are complete.
Auditor’s Opinion In my opinion, except for the possible effects of the matter described in the Basis for Qualified Opinion paragraph, the financial report of Caroline Chisholm Society is in accordance with Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 including: (i) giving a true and fair view of the Society’s financial position as at 30 June 2017 and of its performance for the year ended on that date; and (ii) complying with the Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.
Name of Firm: Badawy & Associates
Name of Principal: ...... Joseph Badawy Registered Company Auditor
Address: Suite 101A/486 Whitehorse Road, SURREY HILLS 3127
Dated this 4th day of September 2017
F8 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2017
2017 2016 Note $ $
Revenue from funding bodies 2,737,025 1,443,425
Other income 5 339,319 118,215
Employee expenses (1,347,866) (1,240,641)
Program expenses (105,474) (55,726)
Depreciation (79,705) (39,060)
Occupancy expenses (58,269) (65,002)
Communications and IT (63,124) (63,354)
Travel expenses (26,741) (26,758)
Motor vehicle financing costs (319) (1,513)
Other expenses (110,424) (83,183)
Results from operating activities 1,284,422 (13,597)
Finance income 8,068 24,631
Net surplus for the period before income tax expense 1,292,490 11,034
Income tax expense 0 0
Surplus after income tax expense for the year attributable 1,292,490 11,034 to the members of Caroline Chisholm Society
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 5,230
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the 1,297,720 11,034 members of Caroline Chisholm Society
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Annual Report 2016–2017 F9 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2017
2017 2016 Note $ $
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 6 515,044 1,123,521
Other assets 7 33,275 4,926
Total current assets 548,319 1,128,447
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 8 2,954,592 2,051,062
Total non-current assets 2,954,592 2,051,062
TOTAL ASSETS 3,502,911 3,179,509
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 58,516 46,707
Deferred income 22,838 1,133,132
Hire purchase liability 0 19,751
Employee benefits 9 61,386 65,858
Other Liabilities 15,500
Total current liabilities 158,240 1,265,448
Non-current liabilities
Employee benefits 9 48,189 34,252
Hire purchase liability –
Total non-current liabilities 48,189 34,252
TOTAL LIABILITIES 206,429 1,299,700
NET ASSETS 3,296,482 1,879,809
EQUITY
Reserves –
Retained earnings 10 3,296,482 1,879,809
TOTAL EQUITY 3,296,482 1,879,809
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
F10 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2017
Revaluation Retained Total Reserve Earnings Equity ($) ($) ($)
Balance at 1 July 2015 – 1,868,775 1,868,775
Surplus for the year 11,034 11,034
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income for the year –
Balance at 30 June 2016 – 1,879,809 1,879,809
Balance at 1 July 2016 – 1,879,809 1,879,809
Surplus for the year 1,297,720 1,297,720
Other comprehensive income 118,953 118,953
Total comprehensive income for the year –
Balance at 30 June 2017 118,983 3,177,529 3,296,482
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Annual Report 2016–2017 F11 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2017
2017 2016 Note $ $
Cash from operating activities:
Receipts from grants 1,651,382 1,448,340
Receipts from fundraising 13,640 11,937
Receipts from donations 237,946 975,022
Receipts from other operating activities 540,712 79,833
Interest received 8,068 24,631
Payments to suppliers and employees (1,702,432) (1,533,214)
Net cash from operating activities 749,316 1,006,549
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of assets 7,182 6,750
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (124,119) (405,032)
Net cash (used in) investing activities (116,937) (398,282)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Hire purchase funding (23,902) (9,953)
Net cash (used in) financing activities (23,902) (9,953)
Net increase / (decreases) in cash held: (608,477) 598,314
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year 1,123,521 525,207
Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 6 515,044 1,123,521
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
F12 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements 1. Reporting entity d. Use of estimates and retained by the Society is recognised Caroline Chisholm Society (“the judgement. as a separate asset or liability. Society”) is a public company limited The preparation of financial Financial assets and liabilities are by guarantee. The Company, referred statements in conformity with offset and the net amount presented to as “the Society”, is a not-for-profit AASBs requires management in the statement of financial position entity and is primarily involved in the to make judgements, estimates when, and only when, the Society has provision of support for pregnant and assumptions that affect the a legal right to offset the amounts women and families with young application of accounting policies and intends either to settle on a net children. and the reported amounts of assets, basis or to realise the asset and settle liabilities, income and expenses. the liability simultaneously. 2. Basis of preparation Actual results may differ from The Society has the following non- these estimates. a. Statement of compliance derivative financial assets: trade and The Society adopted AASB 1053 Estimates and underlying assumptions other receivables, deposits and cash Application of Tiers of Australian are reviewed on an ongoing basis. and cash equivalents. Accounting Standards for the financial Revisions to accounting estimates are Loans and receivables are financial year beginning on 1 July 2010 to recognised in the period in which the assets with fixed or determinable prepare Tier 2 general purpose estimates are revised and in any future payments that are not quoted in financial statements. period affected. an active market. Such assets are The financial report of the Society 3. Significant accounting recognised initially at fair value plus is a Tier 2 general purpose financial policies any directly attributable transaction report which has been prepared costs. Subsequent to initial The accounting policies set out below in accordance with Australian recognition loans and receivables are have been applied consistently to all Accounting Standards – Reduced measured at amortised cost using periods presented in these financial Disclosure Requirements (AASB the effective interest method, less statements. – RDR’s) (including Australian any impairment losses. Loans and Interpretations) adopted by the a. Financial instruments receivables comprise trade and other Australian Accounting Standards receivables. i. Non-derivative financial assets Board (AASB) and the Australian Cash and cash equivalents comprise Charities and Not-for-profits The Society initially recognises loans cash balances and deposits. Commission Act 2012. The financial and receivables and deposits on the statements were authorised for date that they are originated. All other Accounting for finance income is issue by the Board of Directors on financial assets are recognised initially discussed in note 3(g). 22 August 2017. at the trade date at which the Society becomes a party to the contractual ii. Non-derivative financial b. Basis of measurement provisions of the instrument. liabilities The Society initially recognises debt The financial statements have been The Society derecognises a financial securities issued and subordinated prepared on the historical cost basis asset when the contractual rights to liabilities on the date that they are except for land and buildings which the cash flows from the asset expire, originated. All other financial liabilities is carried at fair value. or it transfers the rights to receive are recognised initially on the trade the contractual cash flows of the c. Functional and presentation date at which the Society becomes financial asset in a transaction which currency a party to the contractual provisions substantially all the risks and rewards of the instrument. The Society These financial statements are of ownership of the financial asset are derecognises a financial liability presented in Australian dollars, which transferred. Any interest in transferred when its contractual obligations are is the Society’s functional currency. financial assets that is created or discharged or cancelled or expire.
Annual Report 2016–2017 F13 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements
Financial assets and liabilities are at their revalued amounts being the depreciation for plant and equipment offset and the net amount presented fair value at the date of revaluation, and motor vehicles changed in the statement of financial position less any subsequent accumulated during the year from a diminishing when, and only when, the Society has depreciation and subsequent value basis to a straight-line basis. a legal right to offset the amounts accumulated losses. Revaluations are Depreciation is recognised in profit or and intends either to settle on a net performed with sufficient regularity loss over the useful lives of each part basis or to realise the asset and settle such that the carrying amounts do of property, plant and equipment, the liability simultaneously. not differ materially from those that since this most closely reflects the would be determined using fair values expected pattern of consumption The Society has the following non- at the end of each reporting period. of the future economic benefits derivative financial liabilities: trade embodied in the asset. Land is not and other payables and deferred When parts of an item of property, depreciated. Capital works in progress income. plant and equipment have different is depreciated when it is available useful lives, they are accounted for as Such financial liabilities are recognised for use. separate items (major components) of initially at fair value plus any directly property, plant and equipment. The estimated useful lives for the attributable transaction costs. current and comparative periods are Subsequent to initial recognition these Gains and losses on disposal of an as follows: financial liabilities are measured at item of property, plant and equipment amortised cost using the effective are determined by comparing the 1. Buildings – 40 years interest rate method. proceeds from disposal with the 2. Plant and equipment – 4–8 years carrying amount of the property, plant 3. Motor vehicle – 5 years b. Property plant and equipment and equipment and are recognised i. Recognition and measurement net within other income in profit The Society recognises its land and buildings at fair value. Items of property, plant and or loss. When revalued assets are equipment are measured at cost sold, the amounts included in the Depreciation methods, useful lives and less accumulated depreciation and revaluation reserve are transferred to residual values are reviewed at each impairment losses except for land retained earnings. reporting date. and buildings which are carried at ii. Subsequent costs fair value. c. Impairment The cost of replacing part of an item i. Financial assets Cost includes expenditure that is of property, plant and equipment is A financial asset is assessed at each directly attributable to the acquisition recognised in the carrying amount reporting date to determine whether of the asset. The cost of self- of the item if it is probable that the there is objective evidence that it is constructed assets includes the cost of future economic benefits embodied impaired. A financial asset is impaired materials and direct labour, any other within the part will flow to the Society if objective evidence indicates that a costs directly attributable to bringing and its cost can be measured reliably. loss event has occurred after the initial the asset to a working condition for The carrying amount of the replaced recognition of the asset, and that its intended use, and the costs of part is derecognised. The costs of the the loss event had a negative effect dismantling and removing the items day-to-day servicing of property, plant on the estimated future cash flows and restoring the site on which they and equipment are recognised in of that asset that can be estimated are located. Purchased software that profit or loss as incurred. is integral to the functionality of the reliably. iii. Depreciation related equipment is capitalised as Objective evidence that financial part of that equipment. Depreciation is calculated over the assets are impaired can include depreciable amount, which is the default or delinquency by a debtor, Land and buildings held for use cost of an asset, or other amount in the supply of services and for restructuring of an amount due to substituted for cost, less its residual the Society on terms that the Society administrative purposes are stated value. The method of calculating
F14 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements would not consider otherwise, subsequent event causes the amount Impairment losses recognised in indications that a debtor or issuer will of impairment loss to decrease, prior periods are assessed at each enter bankruptcy, the disappearance the decrease in impairment loss is reporting date for any indications of an active market for a security. reversed through profit or loss. that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss is The Society considers evidence of ii. Non-financial asset reversed if there has been a change in impairment for receivables at both The carrying amount of the Society’s the estimates used to determine the a specific asset and collective level. non-financial assets, other than recoverable amount. An impairment All individually significant receivables inventories are reviewed at each loss is reversed only to the extent are assessed for specific impairment. reporting date to determine whether that the asset’s carrying amount does All individually significant receivables there is any indication of impairment. not exceed the carrying amount that found not to be specifically impaired If any such indication exists, then would have been determined, net of are then collectively assessed for any the asset’s recoverable amount depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment that has been incurred is estimated. impairment loss had been recognised. but not yet identified. The recoverable amount of an asset d. Employee benefits Receivables found not to be or cash-generating unit is the greater specifically impaired are then of its value in use and its fair value i. Other long-term employee collectively assessed for any less costs to sell. In assessing value benefits impairment that has been incurred in use, management considers the The Society’s net obligation in respect but not yet identified. Receivables depreciated replacement cost of an of long-term employee benefits is that are not individually significant are asset when the future economic the amount of future benefit that collectively assessed for impairment benefit of the asset is not primarily employees have earned in return for by grouping together receivables with dependent on the asset’s ability to their service in the current and prior similar risk characteristics. generate net cash inflows and where periods plus related on costs. That In assessing collective impairment, the entity would, if deprived of the benefit is discounted to determine the Society uses historical trends of asset, replace its remaining future its present value and the fair value the probability of default, timing economic benefits. For the purpose of of any related assets is deducted. of recoveries and the amount of impairment testing, assets that cannot The discount rate is the yield at the loss incurred and adjusted for be tested individually are grouped reporting date on Commonwealth management’s judgement as to together into the smallest group of Corporate bonds that have maturity whether current economic and credit assets that generates cash inflows dates approximating the terms of the conditions are such that the actual from continuing use that are largely Society’s obligations. independent of the cash inflows of losses are likely to be greater or less ii. Short-term benefits than suggested by historical trends. other assets or groups of assets (the “cash-generating unit” (CGU)). Liabilities for benefits accruing to An impairment loss in respect of a employees in respect of wages and financial asset measured at amortised An impairment loss is recognised salaries, and annual leave represent cost is calculated as the difference if the carrying amount of an asset present obligations resulting from between its carrying amount and or its CGU exceeds its estimated employee’s services provided to the present value of the estimated recoverable amount. Impairment reporting date. Short-term employee future cash flows discounted at the losses are recognised in profit or benefit expected to be settled asset’s original effective interest rate. loss. Impairment losses recognised in within 12 months, are measured Losses are recognised in profit or respect of CGUs are allocated first to at their nominal values using the loss and reflected in an allowance reduce the carrying amount of any remuneration rate expected to be paid account against receivables. Interest goodwill allocated to the units, and as at reporting date, including any on the impaired asset continues then to reduce the carrying amounts related on-costs. to be recognised through the of the other assets in the unit (group unwinding of the discount. When a of units) on a pro rata basis.
Annual Report 2016–2017 F15 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements e. Revenue elements on the basis of their relative i. Income tax i. Government funding fair values. If the Society concludes for As the company is a charitable a finance lease that it is impracticable Revenue from funding bodies is institution in terms of subsection 50-5 to separate the payments reliably, an recognised when the right to receive of the Income Tax Assessment Act asset and a liability are recognised at that revenue has been established. 1997, as amended, it is exempt from an amount equal to the fair value of paying income tax. ii. Other income the underlying asset. Subsequently Revenue from membership comprises the liability is reduced as payments j. Presentation of financial annual membership fees and is are made and an imputed finance statements and reduced recognised in revenue on a straight- charged on the liability. disclosure line basis over the membership period. The Society has adopted AASB 1053 g. Financial income Application of Tiers of Australian Revenue from donations and Finance income comprises interest fundraising is recognised in revenue Accounting Standards, AASB income on term deposits and 2010‑02 Amendments to Australian when conditions of the donation bank accounts. Interest income is have been met. Where the donation Standards arising from Reduced recognised as it accrues, using the Disclosure Requirements and AASB is not linked to specific conditions, effective interest method. donations are recognised upon 2011-2 Amendments to Australian receipt. h. Goods and services tax Accounting Standards arising from the Trans-Tasman Convergence Project Revenue, expenses and assets are f. Lease payments – Reduced Disclosure Requirements. recognised net of the amount of This has resulted in a reduction of Payments made under operating goods and services tax (GST), except disclosures for item such as financial leases are recognised in profit or loss where the amount of GST incurred instruments, share-based payments, on a straight-line basis over the term is not recoverable from the taxation defined benefit superannuation plans, of the lease. Lease incentives received authority. In these circumstances, equity accounted investments and are recognised as an integral part of the GST is recognised as part of the business combinations. Comparative the total lease expense, over the term cost of acquisition of the asset or as information has been re-presented or of the lease. part of the expense. Cash flows are removed so that it also conforms to included in the cash flow statement Determining whether an arrangement the new disclosure requirements. contains a lease on a gross basis. At inception of an agreement, the Receivables and payables are stated 4. Determination of fair values Society determines whether such with the amount of GST included. The The carrying value of financial and agreement is or contains a lease. net amount of GST recoverable from, non-financial assets and liabilities A specific asset is the subject of a or payable to, the ATO is included as a approximates fair value. current asset or liability in the balance lease if fulfilment of the arrangement The fair value of land and buildings sheet. Cash flows are included in is dependent on the use of that is based on the directors’ assessment the statement of cash flows on a specified asset. An arrangement of fair value based on recent selling gross basis. The GST components conveys the right to use the asset prices in this location. if the arrangement conveys to the of cash flows arising from investing Society the right to control the use and financing activities which are Refer to Note 3 for accounting of the underlying asset. At inception recoverable from, or payable to, policies. or upon reassessment of the the ATO are classified as operating arrangement, the Society separates cash flows. payments and other consideration required by such an arrangement into those for the lease and those for other
F16 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements
5. Other income
2017 2016 $ $
Fundraising 13,640 11,937
Donations 237,946 26,445
Membership fees 340 1,280
Sundry income 2,893 5,022
Rent 84,500 73,531
339,319 118,215
6. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash on hand 588 453
Undeposited funds 172 –
Cash at bank 276,885 313,919
Short term bank deposits 237,399 809,149
515,044 1,123,521
7. Other assets
Prepayments 15,856
Deposit paid 3,150
Trade Debtors 17,419 1,776
33,275 4,926
Annual Report 2016–2017 F17 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements
8. Property, plant and equipment
2017 2016 $ $
Freehold land and buildings at fair value 2,797,681 1,619,636
Accumulated depreciation (51,595) (23,982)
2,746,086 1,595,654
Fixtures and fittings at cost 171,244 61,801
Accumulated depreciation (39,714) (31,338)
131,530 30,463
Motor vehicles at cost 117,116 118,898
Accumulated depreciation (69,983) (71,390)
47,133 47,508
Computer equipment at cost 49,060 106,382
Accumulated depreciation (19,217) (61,214)
29,843 45,168
Work in progress 332,269
332,269
Total property, plant and equipment net book value 2,954,592 2,051,062
9. Employee benefits
Current
Annual leave 61,386 65,858
Non-current
Long service leave 48,189 34,252
109,575 100,110
F18 Caroline Chisholm Society Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017
Notes to the Financial Statements
10. Equity – retained surpluses
2017 2016 $ $
Retained surpluses at the beginning of the financial year 1,879,809 1,868,775
Asset Reserve 118,953
Surplus after income tax for the year 1,297,720 11,034
Retained surpluses at the end of the financial year 3,296,482 1,879,809
11. Capital and leasing commitments Capital commitments related to the construction of a new building in Moonee Valley which started in 2016 and completed in 2017:
2017 2016 Payable – minimum lease payments and capital commitments $ $
Not later than 12 months 0 689,024
One year or later and no later than five years –
0 689,024
12. Contingent assets and contingent liabilities There were no contingent liabilities, or any contingent assets as at the balance sheet date.
13. Related party transactions There were no related party transactions during the year. No directors received any remuneration or compensation for their services.
14. Subsequent Events There has not arisen in the interval between the end of the financial year and the date of this report any item, transaction or event of a material or unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the directors of the Society, to affect significantly the operations of the Society, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the Society, in future financial years.
Annual Report 2016–2017 F19 Our Financial Report
Caroline Chisholm Society – ABN 42 005 066 919
Directors’ Declaration
In the opinion of the directors of Caroline Chisholm Society: 1. there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Society will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable, and; 2. the financial statements and notes, as set out on pages 9 to 19 are in accordance with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, including; a. complying with Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and b. giving a true and fair view of the Society’s financial position as at 30 June 2017 and performance of the Society for the financial year ended on that date. Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors:
Director ...... Paul Webster
Dated this 22nd day of August 2017
F20 Caroline Chisholm Society Mallee
Goulburn Valley pper ume
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Central ume ume Moreland Nort East Lower ume Brimban uter East Central ig lands ellington East Gippsland Melton nner Metro East Sout est estern Goulburn La robe & Valley Barwon Baw Baw Colac tway Sout East Corangamite Sout Coast
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Contact Us immera Nort Central Helpline • Statewide – 1800 134 863 Appointments (incl. counselling, welfare support Central ume and new and pre‑loved baby and maternity goods): Lower ume • Shepparton – 03 5821 0826 • Essendon – 03 9361 7000 ellington East Gippsland Central ig lands Specialist Homelessness Service ume Moreland Nort East Brimban – 03 9361 7000 Melton uter East • Western Melbourne nner East estern Sout est Integrated Family Service
– 03 9361 7000 Sout East La robe & Baw Baw • Western Melbourne • Brimbank/Melton Barwon Colac tway Bayside • Engaging Wyndham FamiliesCorangamite eninsula
Caroline Chisholm Sout Coast Special Projects Society Locations – 03 9361 7000 • Children and Mothers in Mind • Kindergarten Participation
[email protected] www.caroline.org.au
Annual Report 2016–2017