Supporting Carers and Kids

An Aboriginal Agencies Attempts

Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services

• Incorporated since 1985

• Aboriginal NGO funded by– DoCS - OOHC, CSGP– AGD - Prevention and

Diversion

• Active in the sector and the community

• Have been using LAC since 2005

Mr. Steve Larkins• General Manager since 2000.• Board Member of AbSec.• Board Member of ACWA/CCWT.• Formerly

– Member - National Executive for SNAICC.– SNAICC Representative on CAFWAA.– Trainer for ACWA/CCWT

Hunter ACS’s growth since 2000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Staff

Carers

Kids

Our Carers are VERY important

Research done in 2001

46%

33%

8%13% Aboriginal Services

DoCS

Other NGO's

Dual Carers

• Most Aboriginal Carers are authorised by Aboriginal Services

• Today we might find an increase for other NGO’s.

How do we keep Carers ?• Carers must be

trained properly.

• Carers must be supported.– Regular Visits by Case

Workers.– Available After Hours

Contact.– Free to give feedback.– Meet regularly to

support each other.Reasons For Being A

Carer

Love of Kids

AccommodateNeedy

Right Thing ToDo

Safe FamilyEnvironment

Keep Ab Kidswith Ab Families

Services Responsibility

• To recruit, train and assess Aboriginal Carers.

• Maintain and Support Aboriginal Carers.

44%

36%

16%

4% > 5 Yrs

1 - 5 Yrs

6 Mths - 1 Yr

< 6 Mths

Our Website opens up our service to the wider community

www.hunteracs.org.au

Steps taken by Hunter ACS

• Employed a worker specifically for the Carers– “Case Worker - Carers Support”

• Made available a 24 hour phone service.– For help when times get tough

• Carer Support Group Meetings– A safe place where Carers can vent their

issues and receive further training

Role of Carer Support Worker

• Contact ALL Carers fortnightly• Organise Carer Support Meetings• Be a point of contact for ALL Carers• Raise issues with Case Workers OOHC• Support Carers where necessary• Seek out training requests from Carers• Assist in running training for Carers

Supporting Kids is VITAL

Steps we have taken

• Kids Activity Days– each school holidays

• Regular contact with Case Worker• Life Story Work• Budget for Case Worker to do

activities with their cases• Listen and act on what kids ask

Specialised Support Worker

• Employed through funding with AGD• Acts as support person for Police• Supports kids in JJ system• Attends local Children’s Court• Part of “Aboriginal Community and

Local Area Command Network Group”• Supports young people “post release”

Reduction in placement changes

• New staff had an effect from 2001

• Policy change occurred in 2001

• Most changes occurred for children 12-15

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Placement

Changes

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Other effects

• Putting in an effort with kids meant– Kids more prepared to talk to Carers– Be more open with Case Worker– Have taken active roles in Care Plans– Less After Hours Callouts– More interest in Life Story Work– Happier placements– MORE CARERS - through Word of Mouth

Finally• We don’t think we have all the

answers• Not everything has worked• Takes a lot of perseverance• Staff changes have slowed progress• Financial Resources have slowed

process• Community has been important in

making it work

Thank you for your attention

For Further InformationGo To Our Web Site

www.hunteracs.org.au