Gerald Lynch
A service dedicated to assisting families throughout Brimbank and Melton has been recognised for its hard work as finalists of the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award.
This year’s protecting children awards attracted a record number of nominations across 12 categories, recognising the incredible effort and commitment across the Victorian child protection and family services sector and in the community.
The Putting Families First team is a multi-agency collaboration including staff from OzChild, Youth Support and Advocacy Service, Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity, Charis Youth and Community and Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency.
The team works alongside more than 20 community service providers to support families who come into contact with the statutory service system, and have complex problems, to connect those families to the right supports at the right time, tailoring services to the unique needs and cultural contexts of each member of the family.
The team has supported 283 individuals across 58 families, with 74 per cent from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and five per cent being First Nations families.
Through the work of the Putting Families First team, families have been empowered to change their lives including children having re-engaged with school and pro social activities improving their long-term life opportunities.
Putting Families First team manager Scarlett Keally said they encounter so many families facing difficult circumstances, and the work is extremely rewarding.
“We provide intensive support to families who have or are engaged in the criminal justice system. By collaborating with all family members, providing a culturally safe space for them to share their experiences, helps the team address each family members individual needs,” she said.
“Common struggles we support include poverty, intergenerational and migration trauma, family violence, embedded racism, acute mental health needs, alcohol and substance misuse, housing needs; which our specialist integrated interdisciplinary teams navigate alongside families.
“I am immensely proud of the passion and dedication of the team and the wider support services we work with to make a difference for our most vulnerable and at-risk families.
For this to be recognised at state level after two years of program delivery is phenomenal.
“Seeing the positive outcomes for the individuals and families who have been embedded in government services for years, they step out into the community with a sense of safety, empowerment and achievement , with no further reliance on systems and services to support their family functioning.
“Families in Brimbank and Melton are struggling the most with service navigation, accessibility to services outside of the 9-5pm norm and culturally safe spaces for families to engage in the community and with services, especially when they have adolescents in need of support.”
Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn announced the award, and said the work of Putting Families First was crucial in keeping children safe.
“Every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood and these awards acknowledge the exceptional workers, carers and community members who go above and beyond to help Victoria’s most vulnerable children,” she said.
Details: childprotectionjobs.dffh.vic.gov.au
