Good practice: a statewide snapshot 2016

To receive this publication in an accessible format, please phone 9096 8427, using the National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required, or email [email protected]

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

© State of Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services, August 2016

Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this publication show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This publication may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Throughout this document, the term ‘Aboriginal’ is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Use of the terms ‘Koori’, ‘Koorie’ and ‘Indigenous’ are retained in the names of programs and initiatives and, unless noted otherwise, are inclusive of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Available at <www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/documents-and-resources/reports-publications/children,-youth-and-families-good-practice-publication>.

ISSN 2206-821X (Print) 2206-8228 (Online/pdf)

Printed by Metro Printing, Airport West on sustainable paper (1608013).

mailto:[email protected]

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 7

Working with families to address intergenerational histories of trauma ............................................. 8 Borrowed from our children .......................................................................................................................... 8 Putting Ben first within a trauma-informed approach ................................................................................. 10 Towards a bright future: Jack and his sister ............................................................................................... 11 Meeting a family at a crossroads ................................................................................................................ 12 A focus on cultural planning for Malaki ....................................................................................................... 13 Supporting Liam and Lily’s connection to family, community and culture .................................................. 14 Journeying together: Hamish and his dad .................................................................................................. 16 Breaking the cycle ...................................................................................................................................... 17 Anna’s story ................................................................................................................................................ 18

Effective engagement with youth who display high-risk behaviours ................................................. 19 Leading the way.......................................................................................................................................... 19 Shoring up Bobby’s supports ...................................................................................................................... 20 Kimberly’s resolve....................................................................................................................................... 21 Giving Jess a space to be heard: transitioning to secondary school ......................................................... 23 Benjamin returns home .............................................................................................................................. 24 Not giving up: achieving the impossible ..................................................................................................... 25 From a lead tenant program to independence ........................................................................................... 27 Connor’s courage ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Making connections through sport and outdoor activity ............................................................................. 30

Supporting families to parent infants ..................................................................................................... 31 Enhancing the relationship between Mum and baby David ....................................................................... 31 Walking alongside Susan and her grandchildren ....................................................................................... 32 A therapeutic approach to contact laying the foundation for reunification.................................................. 33 The power of partnership ............................................................................................................................ 34 A reflective approach to reunification ......................................................................................................... 35 Cradle to Kinder: helping Emma meet Blake’s needs ................................................................................ 36

Innovative programs ................................................................................................................................ 37 Pizza and parenting .................................................................................................................................... 37 Paws for thought ......................................................................................................................................... 39 Enhancing engagement and intervention through joint visits ..................................................................... 40 Working across traditional program boundaries to promote permanency.................................................. 42 It’s the small things ..................................................................................................................................... 43 A safe haven for Annie ............................................................................................................................... 44 Brothers ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 The moment it ‘clicked’: reflecting on the Family Drug Treatment Court ................................................... 47 A therapeutic approach to contact between mother and daughter ............................................................ 49

Responding to family violence ................................................................................................................ 50 Exploring the ingredients for success in addressing family violence ......................................................... 50 A mother’s determination to regain stability and connection ...................................................................... 52 Safety for Maggie and her children: the High Risk Response Conference approach ................................ 54 Staying the course for Oliver ...................................................................................................................... 56

Protection and connection ...................................................................................................................... 58 Ruby’s joy – her journey back to Dad ......................................................................................................... 58 Promoting healing through connection to culture ....................................................................................... 59 Thriving together ......................................................................................................................................... 60 Grandparents united for children’s best interests ....................................................................................... 61

Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................. 62 Images ......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Introduction

Once again we have been overwhelmed by the many strong stories submitted for Good practice: a statewide snapshot. We are very pleased to be able to continue an invaluable annual tradition of sharing examples of good practice related to vulnerable children and their families.

The main themes reflected in this 2016 edition of the snapshot are:

• working with families to address intergenerational histories of trauma • effective engagement with youth who display high-risk behaviours • supporting families to parent infants.

This collection of stories forms part of the narrative describing practice approaches that have made a difference to the lives of vulnerable Victorian children and their families. The stories are shared in a spirit of openness and learning. As always, the names and other identifying details of the children and families reflected in the stories have been changed.

Through the recently launched Roadmap for reform, Victoria continues its firm commitment to striving for the best outcomes for vulnerable children and their families, with a focus on: strengthening communities to better prevent neglect and abuse; delivering early support to children and families at risk; keeping more families together through crisis; and securing a better future for children who cannot live at home.

Stories such as ‘Borrowed from our children’ demonstrate the life-changing outcomes that can result when a practitioner thoughtfully engages with a child and their family and strives to gain a real understanding of their experience. The practitioner who wrote this story provided a powerful insight into her developing understanding of the devastating impacts of intergenerational trauma on Aboriginal families.

These stories showcase the skills of Victoria’s committed practitioners across the areas of child protection, out-of-home care, family services, youth justice and health. The day-to-day work of these practitioners is invisible to many. They must work skilfully in partnership with families and services to effect lasting change.

I sincerely thank all these hard-working practitioners, including those who have taken the time this year to document a good practice story from which a wider audience might benefit. Thank you also to the children and families who have provided the artwork featured in this year’s snapshot. The works stand alone as inspirational pieces while also adding meaning to the stories they accompany.

Practitioners have told us that they value this annual opportunity for reflection and recognition and that they use the snapshot in a variety of innovative ways to enhance their work. Some have found value in using particular stories as the basis of reflective practice sessions, others, to demonstrate the possibility of adopting a particular intervention that has been used successfully elsewhere to address a local issue. Practitioners have said they feel reassured that they are not alone when reading of the many challenges amid the triumphs.

I applaud the examples of innovation and collaborative work that you will read in the following pages and the many stories that affirm the deep commitment of our workforce and, most significantly, the great strength and resilience of the children and families with whom we work.

Tracy Beaton Chief Practitioner/Director Office of Professional Practice


Working with families to address intergenerational histories of trauma

Borrowed from our children Author: Shpresa Selimi, Senior Child Protection Practitioner

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, North Division

Program: Child Protection

A child protection practitioner’s role is multifaceted and important. We meet unique families, some, but not all, facing a multitude of issues. We enter their worlds and are allowed into their homes. We learn about the family’s struggles, structure and dynamics, the family’s culture and, most importantly, the family’s history. What a privilege!

We were taught history in school. We learnt about Australian land, songs, animals, sports and explorers and we learnt about our First People.

We were taught things about Aboriginal land, art, Dreamtime and, most frequently, Aboriginal communities’ struggles. I can honestly say that it was not until I worked in child protection that I was able to truly begin to understand the issues Aboriginal families and communities faced and the vulnerability they still held in Australian society. I further learnt about intergenerational trauma and the impact this has on future generations.

This story is about a 14-year-old girl named Lucy. Lucy was born interstate. Her parents separated when she was an infant, and her mother became her primary carer. One year later, her mother moved to Melbourne and started a new relationship with Tim. Together, Lucy’s mother and Tim had six other children. Lucy and her siblings were removed from her mother and Tim when Lucy was six years of age due to exposure to family violence and her mother’s drug use. They were placed voluntarily in the care of Tim’s parents, Morris and Rita.

Morris and Rita are not Aboriginal. At the age of 12 years, Lucy began engaging in high-risk behaviours such as criminal activity, absconding from school and from her home. She would often become frustrated and angry with Rita and would physically hurt her siblings and animals in the home.

When the report came to Child Protection, Lucy’s behaviours had escalated and Rita and Morris had relinquished care of Lucy.

When I first met with Lucy, she explained her trauma growing up, exposure to family violence and her mother’s drug use. Lucy stated that she was angry because her mother never told her about her extended family and about her Aboriginal identity. Lucy stated that she couldn’t connect to Morris and Rita like her siblings did. She stated that she understood she was not a biological grandchild to Morris and Rita. She loved them both but felt lost and, at times, unwanted.

A care team was established including a professional from the Royal Children’s Hospital, a Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) worker, a Victoria Police Aboriginal liaison officer, an Aboriginal family therapist, a school representative, a Department of Education and Training Aboriginal liaison officer, Morris, Rita and Child Protection.

The first goal set in the care team meeting was to understand Lucy’s lineage and culture. Morris and Rita had no information about Lucy’s parents or heritage. I contacted the interstate child protection service, who were able to provide me with names of Lucy’s grandmother and great grandmother. I provided this to VACCA, and together we collated information about Lucy’s family history.


Lucy and I became educated about the trauma experienced by Aboriginal people as a result of past government policies, such as forced removal of children, and the devastating consequences. The cultural disruption and the negative impacts on the cultural identity of Aboriginal people passed from generation to generation. This was the case for Lucy’s family. We learnt that Lucy’s great grandmother was part of the Stolen Generation and died of long-term drug issues. We learned that Lucy’s great grandmother spent time in jail for drug-related offences and we knew that Lucy’s grandmother was also incarcerated. Lucy was exposed to her mother’s drug use and now Lucy was engaging in high-risk behaviours.

In a therapeutic session with Lucy’s psychologist we discussed Lucy’s family and together we completed a family tree that she was very proud to see. Lucy didn’t understand the intergenerational trauma in her family and blamed her grandmothers for her mother’s current situation. In discussion with VACCA, Lucy and I attended an information session on intergenerational trauma, which helped Lucy understand what her mother and grandmothers may have experienced. Lucy became interested in this and often would tell me that she had read an article in the newspaper about the Stolen Generations and thought of her great grandmother’s experience. Lucy stated that she did not want to repeat her family’s history of drug use and committed to work towards her future in a positive way.

Lucy now attends school on a regular basis and engages in an after-school Reconnect program supported by VACCA. Lucy also engaged with a Victoria Police Aboriginal liaison officer and completed a youth diversion program. Lucy no longer engages in high-risk behaviours and with support has returned to live with her siblings, Rita and Morris.

Working with intergenerational trauma requires a practitioner’s sensitivity, patience and understanding. Being able to engage a family with this form of trauma is challenging. Helping young people like Lucy to understand their history can have a positive impact on the way they proceed into the future.

At the end of every care team meeting we would thank each other and remind ourselves ‘We do not inherit this land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.’


Putting Ben first within a trauma-informed approach Author: Emily Lomax, Youth and Family Counsellor

Organisation: Bentleigh Bayside Community Health

Program: Youth and Family Counselling

Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Youth and Family Counselling provides individual counselling, family therapy and parenting support to families referred through Bayside Peninsula Child FIRST Family Solutions. The service offers home-visit counselling.

This story highlights a multidisciplinary approach to working with a vulnerable infant from a family with a history of intergenerational trauma.

Ben was 16 months old when his mother, Sally, began receiving counselling for trauma-related issues. Sally was referred to counselling via a supported playgroup for women with postnatal depression. The success of Sally and Ben was due to multidisciplinary team members working under one roof in Ben’s best interests.

Sally struggled to respond consistently to Ben’s cues and expressed doubt in her ability to parent effectively because of her traumatic history. Sally attended many appointments with Ben, and over several months it was noted that he was not meeting developmental milestones for his age and stage of life, such as using signing rather than speech, issues with balance and fine motor skills, and low scores on maternal and child health tests. It had also become evident that there was an insecure/disorganised attachment between Sally and Ben.

Sally reported that childcare and the maternal child health nurse had raised concerns about Ben’s development and suggested that Sally take Ben to a paediatrician. As a result of Sally’s traumatic history, she expressed reluctance to trust new services or workers. It was suggested to Sally by her counsellor that Ben be referred to the Bentleigh Bayside Community Health paediatric speech pathologist for assessment and that her counsellor could attend the initial appointments with them. Due to the rapport established and the familiarity of the service and building, this was a course of action that Sally agreed to.

The speech pathologist assessed significant delays in speech and concerns regarding the attachment relationship, particularly in relation to Ben demonstrating dissociative behaviours and presenting as unresponsive to people. The speech pathologist and the counsellor worked collaboratively with Sally and Ben, with a focus on the attachment relationship. Sally developed a trusting relationship with the speech pathologist and, as a result, further services, such as occupational therapy, were able to be introduced over time.

The positive outcomes for Ben and Sally from being able to work with a multidisciplinary team were that the attachment issues and trauma work could be approached from angles that were less confronting to Sally. For example, the two workers were able to collaborate to give Sally homework aimed at developing speech and improving the attachment relationship. As a result, Ben benefited from the engagement in paediatric services and made significant developmental advances. Ben and Sally remained engaged in paediatric services after Sally herself no longer needed to be engaged with adult services.

The rapport and trust built with the counsellor over a six-month period at play group led to Sally developing trust to accept the counselling referral. Engaging in counselling assisted Sally to explore how her trauma history was impacting on her parenting. This resulted in her being open to a referral to paediatric services for Ben. The paediatric services were able to be introduced gradually, in an environment Sally was familiar with, and the counsellor was able to work with the paediatric staff to ensure they were sensitive to Sally’s trauma history.


Towards a bright future: Jack and his sister Author: Cynthia O’Reilly, Advanced Child Protection Practitioner



This is a story about the importance of doing everything possible to locate family, even when early efforts are unsuccessful. Each practitioner has the capacity to think laterally and to reflect on different ways to find information.

Jack, aged ten years, was living with his mother, Mary, who is Aboriginal, and his father, Don. Mary experienced significant childhood trauma. She has many siblings. Some are deceased; others suffer from mental health issues or have significant acquired brain injuries. Mary’s children from a previous relationship were removed nearly 30 years ago and were placed with paternal grandparents.

There were significant protective concerns for Jack, including parental substance misuse, criminal activity, family violence and Don’s untreated mental health issues. As a consequence, Jack was often left to look after himself, had no friends and witnessed significant violence between his parents. Mary would frequently leave the relationship and go into a refuge as often as 15 times over a 12 month period. Jack’s behaviour reportedly improved when this occurred; however, Mary always returned to Don.

Jack did not attend school regularly and would frequently abscond. He was associating with a negative peer group. Jack was removed from his parents’ care in April 2015 and placed in a residential unit because no other family members could be identified or located. Shortly after becoming Jack’s allocated child protection practitioner, I began to explore home-based care options for Jack, including foster care and respite. Jack asked if he could have respite with his half-sister, Sarah. Previous attempts to locate Sarah had been unsuccessful and no current contact details were available for her. I used the genogram to identify other relatives and utilised the Client Relationship Information System (CRIS). I began contacting relatives and eventually made contact with Sarah’s older sister, who agreed to help find Sarah.

Within a day, Sarah made contact with me and advised that she wanted to take Jack into her home and, had she known, would never have allowed him to go into residential care. Following a thorough kinship assessment, Jack now lives with Sarah, who is able to provide safety, permanency and, most importantly, love and inclusion. Placing Jack with his sister, who is also Aboriginal, is in keeping with the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle and maintains Jack’s connection to family and culture. Jack is now part of a loving family, culturally connected and living in a vibrant community in a small country town. A Targeted Care Package has also been developed, which will assist with things such as tutoring, counselling and music lessons for Jack, as well as assistance with the cost of transport.


Meeting a family at a crossroads Authors: Kaye Finnin, Team Leader, Family Violence and Generalist Counsellor Ashtyn Vella, Integrated Family Services Case Manager

Organisation: Sunbury Community Health

Program: Child Youth and Family Division, Counselling Unit

Sunbury Community Health Integrated Family Services Team is a member of the Hume Moreland Integrated Family Services Alliance. Referrals are received through Child FIRST to engage and support vulnerable families in relation to parenting, development and the safety of their children.

This family were referred by their general practitioner to the Sunbury Community Health Integrated Family Services (IFS) team through Hume-Moreland Child FIRST. Kym, a 34-year-old sole parent with two children aged 12 and nine years, had a history of childhood trauma, which resulted in her being homeless by the age of 14 years. Transience, alcohol and drug misuse had been prevalent in her life, and that of her mother. The family had been referred to Family Services three years earlier; however, Kym did not fully engage at that time and little changed for the family during that intervention. At the time of the second intervention, Kym had left two violent relationships and was attempting to move forward and provide ongoing support and positive parenting to her two children. After IFS was allocated to the family, an application for a Department of Health and Human Services family violence funding package was promptly made. This aided the family’s stability and allowed the children to foster community connections and supports.

Funds assisted with maintaining the family car, enabling the children to attend school and community activities, and for Kym to attend appointments with alcohol and other drug, generalist and financial counsellors at Sunbury Community Health. These funds also enabled the children to acquire sportswear to participate in sports. Rental payments for a period of two months enabled housing stability and allowed Kym to catch up on bills. Most importantly, this support enabled a psychological shift, allowing Kym to envision a world where positive things can happen.

Kym committed to addressing her mental health, financial issues and problem alcohol use by linking in with the counsellors at Sunbury Community Health. The IFS worker met with Kym weekly and the children on the opposite week, therefore building a strong therapeutic, consistent and supportive relationship. Kym and the children remain well engaged with IFS and the children now have a voice in dealing with Kym’s emotional dependence. Kym is now more educated as to the needs of her children at their developmental age and stage, and is accessing more appropriate emotional support through her counsellor. The 12-year-old is attending a support group co-facilitated by her IFS worker that promotes healthy relationships and addresses the emotional needs of children her age. Kym has begun working part time, attending a local gym and supporting her children in their social activities.

IFS became involved at a crossroads in Kym’s life. The IFS worker was able to initiate wraparound supports that allowed Kym and her children to thrive. The inclusion of the department’s family violence package aided the family, providing the practical support they needed while the therapeutic assistance was being implemented.


A focus on cultural planning for Malaki Authors: Amanda Pavilach, Kinship Support Worker Santhosh Augustin, Senior Child

Protection Practitioner

Organisations: Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative Department of Health and Human Services, North Division

Program: Kinship Support, Child Protection

Malaki is a 16-year-old Aboriginal boy who experienced significant trauma and abuse while in the care of family. Malaki’s parents had a difficult upbringing and had an extensive criminal history, mental health problems, drug addiction and family violence. Malaki’s father died when he was eight months old, and his mother died when he was six years old as a result of drug overdose. As a baby Malaki lived with a Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) foster care family before he was placed with his maternal grandmother who was supported to care for him. Ultimately, these efforts were unsuccessful and Malaki was placed in out of home care. Further efforts were made to identify and support extended family members to care for Malaki. This included Malaki residing with his aunt and her large family for some years.

Malaki was assessed as experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. The first several years were difficult, with Malaki presenting with nightmares and unsettled behaviours due to the abuse and trauma he had experienced. He refused contact with his grandmother as he was able to identify that this triggered negative emotions for him. Malaki was supported by professionals and his carer, who was instrumental in ensuring Malaki’s stability by implementing strategies to assist him to recognise his emotions and work through his fears in a predictable and safe home.

When Malaki was 12 years old, he moved to live with another family where he has remained for the past four years. Malaki’s carers, who are not Aboriginal, are supportive and nurturing towards him and have provided Malaki with a warm, safe and nurturing home. His carers have a younger child and Malaki has embraced his role as big brother to Tom. Tom calls Malaki brother and the two have a beautiful bond.

Malaki finds great satisfaction in his sporting achievements and funding has been sought from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Commission for Children and Young People to support his continued efforts in this area.

Malaki has made a connection with his extended Indigenous family and plans are in place for him to return to country with them to make new memories. Malaki’s current family is not Aboriginal but they often go camping with members of the local Aboriginal community.

With support from his carers, concerns about schooling have been addressed and he is now achieving results appropriate for his age level. He has enjoyed taking up leadership roles. Malaki’s current placement has provided permanency and an opportunity for age-appropriate development including the opportunity to grow and address his trauma. Malaki is in a good place emotionally and physically. He is making steady progress, does not have any behaviours of concern and his future is promising. Strong cultural planning supported by Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operation, has enabled his connection to family and land, the building of his identify, self-esteem and worth, and the mending of relationships with his extended family.


Supporting Liam and Lily’s connection to family, community and culture Authors: Georgina Malady, Advanced Child Protection Practitioner Dominique Swift,

Practice Leader, AFLDM Convenor Elsie Coates, Cultural Support and Awareness Officer Sandy Brien, Assistant Director Child Protection

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, West Division

Program: Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making

Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making (AFLDM) – is a child protection decision-making and planning program for Aboriginal children and their families introduced in 2002. It is an inclusive, culturally respectful process of engaging and empowering families to make good plans and decisions for the safety and care of their children. This generally includes care arrangements, contact with family/community and connection to culture.

Liam and Lily are three-year-old Aboriginal twins who recently moved to their paternal family’s care following two years in foster care.

Child Protection became involved when their parents presented themselves to Child Protection in the early stages of pregnancy, seeking support to have their unborn twins remain in their care upon birth. Their mother had previously been involved with Child Protection in relation to her other children, who had been removed from her care due to concerns for their safety and wellbeing related to drug and alcohol misuse, ongoing mental health issues, family violence, transience and homelessness, and intergenerational trauma.

The local Aboriginal health service and Aboriginal Stronger Families program worked with the parents during the pregnancy and following the birth of the twins. However, unfortunately it was not possible for the twins to safely remain in the care of their parents.

The maternal family had been affected by the Stolen Generations, with ongoing trauma issues that continued to impact on their ability to safely care for the children. The twin’s parents were disconnected from paternal family members, who lived interstate, making it difficult for Child Protection to locate paternal relatives. This led to the children being placed in Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) foster care at the age of two months.

Two attempts were made to return the twins to their parents’ care. Unfortunately, these attempts were not successful, with the protective concerns remaining. The twins returned to live in their foster care placement at 16 months of age. Adding to Liam and Lily’s early experiences of instability and emotional trauma was the tragic passing of their father when they were two years old.

Once reunification with their mother was no longer viable due to further escalating protective concerns, Child Protection undertook further efforts to locate the Aboriginal paternal family, in line with the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, with the view to placing the children with a suitable Aboriginal kinship carer.

Following an extensive search, paternal family members were located. A positive AFLDM meeting resulted in Liam and Lily being moved to live with their paternal aunt, with extended family support. The paternal family are very strong in their Aboriginal culture and community and are very committed to providing safe, secure, stable ongoing care to Liam and Lily, who are thriving in their care. The children also remain connected to their mother, siblings, maternal family and mother’s country.

The Best Interests Case Practice Model always guided this, at times, very difficult situation, with a primary focus on the children’s wellbeing remaining paramount while honouring the importance of protecting and promoting an Aboriginal child’s cultural and spiritual identity and development by maintaining and building their connections to their Aboriginal family and community. Lakidjeka Aboriginal


Child Specialist Advice and Support Service, the Department of Health and Human Services’ cultural support and awareness officer and the department’s Principal Practitioner were regularly consulted and provided ongoing guidance and advice.


Journeying together: Hamish and his dad Authors: Victoria Grant, Practice Leader Jacqueline Brasher, Team Manager Andrea Sinton, Child Protection Practitioner

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, South Division


Hamish is a bubbly Aboriginal young boy of nine months, who first became known to Child Protection following an unborn report. This report outlined concerns about his mother Chrissy’s lack of antenatal care, homelessness, substance misuse and anger management issues. In addition, Chrissy had her own significant child protection history, which included exposure to family violence, parental substance misuse and sexual abuse during her younger years. Hamish’s father, Alex, also had a child protection history and serious drug problems for which he was receiving assistance in the form of residential rehabilitation at the time of Hamish’s birth.

The severity of the protective concerns arising from Hamish’s parents’ circumstances at the time of his birth led to a protection application by emergency care being issued at birth and Hamish was placed with his paternal aunt and her family for a short period before being returned to Chrissy’s care with support. Unfortunately, it was not long before further drug misuse led to Hamish again being removed from Chrissy’s care.

Hamish experienced significant instability in his first few months of life including several different care arrangements. Importantly, however, Alex maintained contact and demonstrated his commitment to his son by completing his rehabilitation and graduating successfully drug-free.

Hamish and Alex have been able to benefit from the expertise of a residential parenting program, which identified many more strengths than areas for development. Alex was initially assessed as requiring advice across all domains of parenting, but during the intensive programme he demonstrated the ability to incorporate this learning and apply it in his direct care of Hamish. Alex learned how to understand and anticipate Hamish’s non-verbal cues and respond to his needs. Hamish in turn increasingly looked to Alex for comfort and was soothed by him when necessary. This showed an improvement of connection and ultimately attachment. This success allowed us to formally transition Hamish back to Alex’s care and provide the realistic prospect of permanency in parental care. Hamish still has the constancy of his paternal family’s love, guidance and support, and Alex in turn benefits from these supportive relationships.

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency continues to support Chrissy to maintain a meaningful connection with Hamish and has worked collaboratively with the Department of Health and Human Services. An Aboriginal parenting agency has been recommended to continue to support Hamish and Alex on their future journey together. Alex is also supported in very concrete ways by his specialist drug and alcohol agency, which not only supported him through detoxification and early recovery, but also provided accommodation suitable to allow Hamish to live with him. A strong care team of both family and professional’s works together to ensure Hamish and Alex have the right supports now and into the future.


Breaking the cycle Author: Daniel McCarten, Foster Care Case Manager

Organisation: Anglicare Victoria

Program: Out of Home Care

This story is about three siblings who have been supported by a committed care team and an outstanding carer to address intergenerational histories of trauma and break the cycle of four generations of familial trauma.

The children in this story had been in out-of-home care for two years at the time I became their case manager in early 2015. The children originally came into care following an incident where they witnessed and were encouraged to verbally and physically participate in a domestic dispute. The family background is one of intergenerational violence and crime, with multiple family members having an extensive criminal and child protection history from the paternal and maternal great grandparents down to the children’s biological parents.

All three children had experienced significant trauma prior to entering care and had developed challenging behaviours including regular and severe verbal and physical lashing out, regular withdrawal and disengagement, sadness, crying and anxiety. Referrals for specialist assessments were made and completed, and individual treatment plans were developed. The individualised responses and strategies used by the care team have been trauma-informed and solution-focused. Professionals such as speech, paediatric and child/play therapists have all contributed to the vast improvement in the children’s experience, and all three are thriving and excelling across all seven of the looking after children domains. An example is the vast reduction in intensity, frequency and duration of the youngest child’s dysregulated behaviours. The professionals provided strategies to the care team, who supported the carer to implement strategies that in turn led to the child learning to regulate his own emotional and behavioural responses.

The improvement in all three children has been immense. Medically and developmentally, all three children have now been thoroughly assessed and individual treatment plans have been developed, with some significant issues such as correct diagnosis, vision and speech being addressed with positive life-changing results. This has vastly facilitated the growth in other key areas such as their school life. Academically, all three have developed excellent attitudes to school and learning and are regularly recognised for their outstanding academic achievements. They are all engaged in extracurricular activities such as music and sport that enhance their wellbeing and development and also excel in these.

All three children are now optimally placed to address and break the cycle of four intergenerational histories of trauma.


Anna’s story Author: Sue Brady, Integrated Family Services Case Worker Organisation: Baptcare Program: Integrated Family Services

The objective of Integrated Family Services (IFS) is to provide services that protect children and young people and improve family functioning. Baptcare aims to provide high-quality, effective family support services that meet this objective.

Anna is mother to five children, ages 14 years to five years old. Anna had her first child when she was 16 years old. She was raised in a home where both parents had multiple partners, chaotic lifestyles, issues with substance misuse, and engaged in family violence and criminal behaviours. Anna spent some years living with her mother, grandparents and a number of foster care placements.

Anna’s eldest son was removed from her care aged 18 months and remains in the care of his paternal grandparents. She has limited contact with him. Anna has replicated her family history by becoming involved in relationships characterised by violence, substance misuse and a transient lifestyle. In 2014, Anna’s four children were removed from her care due to concerns for their safety and wellbeing and they were placed in out-of-home care for more than a year.

A reunification plan was developed, and Anna was referred to the Baptcare Families First program for intensive support to assist this process. The children were returned to her care in a gradual process (over some months). At the completion of the Families First intervention, a referral was made to IFS for ongoing support because, as Anna identified, she was struggling to manage the children’s care needs, her own depression and with establishing new family dynamics. IFS has been working with Anna and her children for approximately nine months to address a range of parenting issues including breaking down Anna’s distrust towards agencies and increasing her understanding of the impact of trauma including transgenerational history.

The IFS worker initially spoke with Anna about her strengths as a parent. A partnership approach was developed in which Anna was encouraged to talk about her hopes for her children’s future and her wishes for the family. The IFS worker has also challenged and encouraged Anna to think about her children’s behaviours from a trauma-based perspective.

Simple visual charts were made to help Anna manage her children’s behaviours and routines. Home visits involved the children individually and as a group (using drawing, play and Bear cards to talk about their past and present trauma experiences). Attachment relationships between Anna and her children, and the children with each other, have been strengthened. This was often done using narrative stories with the family group to help them to talk about very difficult and scary times they faced and how they have survived these.

The whole family were encouraged to talk about family relationships, rules and routines. The IFS worker also spent time playing games with all the children to coach Anna in how to be involved with her children in positive ways. Anna and the children enjoy these times and will often request that a game is played when the IFS worker visits!

Anna’s parenting capacity has strengthened slowly during this time. She states that she is becoming ‘proud of me because now I don’t just lash out at everyone when I get upset and I don’t want my kids to have the life that I have had’. Although it is still early stages, Anna is keen to work with Baptcare to create a new and more positive family history.


Effective engagement with youth who display high-risk behaviours

Leading the way Authors: Adam Cassidy, Manager, Community Relations ,Rebecca Hirst, Manager, Out of

Home Care

Organisation: Barwon Child, Youth and Family

Program: Organisational Development

Barwon Child, Youth and Family is an independent, not-for-profit community services organisation committed to achieving better outcomes for communities across Geelong, Colac and the Surf Coast.

Damien was a client of Barwon Child, Youth and Family (BCYF) and was living in residential care for several years.

Damien has a learning disability and is autistic. When he first arrived to live in one of BCYF’s residential units he struggled with routine and lacked structure in his life.

Damien has an infectious personality and gets on extremely well with other people. In discussions with his carers, he discovered a few of them had an interest in running and expressed a desire to try it out for himself.

One of his carers recommended taking part in a regular local fun run. Damien took to this like a fish to water, going along each week as either a runner or, on more than 20 occasions, as one of the volunteers who time the race, hand out counters, scan barcodes or act as an official photographer.

Damien loves to entertain the other runners, often dressing in fancy dress, and he loves going for breakfast each week with many of the other runners.

Originally, it was Damien’s residential worker who would go each week for the run with him; however, as Damien has been such a positive influence on everyone at BCYF, now several staff join him each week to run or volunteer.

A year on from his first run, Damien is thriving in this sporting environment. He says his life would be boring without it.

The staff caring for Damien were outcome-focused, dynamic and responsive to Damien showing an interest in running. This could simply have been a case of going for an occasional run but has instead embedded Damien into a weekly community activity that he feels passionate about, and part of. Damien now feels a strong sense of responsibility and purpose and has taken on a genuine leadership role within a community-run event. His positive influence on staff through his community engagement is something he is, quite rightly, extremely proud of.

After living in residential care for several years, Damien is now back home with his mother and twin sister. Damien continues to run each week and his participation is written into his National Disability Insurance Scheme funding plan.


Shoring up Bobby’s supports Authors: Bille Vella, Community Youth Justice Practitioner Rowena Hammond, Child

Protection Practitioner Martin Ellemor, Youth Justice Senior Practice Advisor

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, East Division

Program: Youth Justice and Child Protection

Bobby, a 14-year-old Aboriginal boy, was separated from his immediate family due to family violence and substance misuse. He had engaged in criminal behaviours and his life had become unstable as he struggled with the impact of trauma and separation.

Bobby had experienced ongoing violence from his mother’s partner, and his own violent behaviour was increasing. He felt responsible for his mother and his younger siblings but couldn’t seem to control his anger.

Bobby’s mother’s capacity to care for her children was impacted by her substance use and had resulted in Child Protection placing Bobby and his two youngest siblings in alternative care arrangements.

The family was supported by maternal grandparents who had been protective throughout Bobby’s childhood. Bobby would stay with his maternal grandmother when things were bad at home. However, Bobby’s behaviour into his early adolescence made it difficult for his grandmother to care for him.

Bobby would often stay with his father, who lived with his elderly mother. Bobby’s father continues to maintain contact with Bobby. Bobby’s maternal grandfather regularly visited the family home and was a support for his daughter, however, was not in a position to have the grandchildren live him. Bobby had a warm relationship with his grandfather.

Bobby and his mother desperately wanted to address the issues they were experiencing in their lives and to repair their relationship. Bobby’s mother wanted him (and his siblings) at home but struggled to change her violent relationship and drug addiction, which prevented their return. Even if these issues were addressed the family accommodation situation was difficult, with tight living conditions that meant that Bobby did not have a bedroom, instead having to sleep in the family lounge room.

A family-centred approach was used that respected Aboriginal culture, listened to the goals Bobby set for himself and recognised his need to be connected to his mother and his growing need for independence. Bobby, his mother and grandparents were all involved in goal setting and planning. Safety and belonging were key aspects to reunification, along with ensuring adequate accommodation and supports were available.

Both Bobby and his mother took steps to address their substance abuse issues. Bobby attended a residential alcohol and other drug program for Aboriginal young people. Bobby’s mother completed a rehabilitation program that prompted Bobby’s return home. With continual support and encouragement from his mother and his father, Bobby also continued to see a psychologist to assist with trauma issues.

A bungalow was provided to enable Bobby to return home following a period in Youth Custodial Services. Bobby was able to take up a carpentry course through the local flexible learning centre.

Bobby’s successful return home, made possible because of his mother’s commitment to change, has been the catalyst for his younger siblings to be returned to her care as well.

Bobby has a stronger anchor to his family and community, which has shored up his supports.


Kimberly’s resolve Author: Jennifer Thomas, Child Protection Practitioner

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, South Division


Kimberley is a 16-year-old girl on a Children’s Court protective order. The following story describes how Quantum Support Services (Quantum) and the Department of Health and Human Services (Child Protection) have worked in partnership with Kimberly to support her positive engagement with education.

Kimberley came into care aged 12 after being removed from her father’s care. Kimberley was initially placed in a residential care unit with her older sister. From the beginning, Kimberley was focused on her education, which she saw as a way out of her circumstances. Despite her young age and placement situation, she had identified her love of sport as the one positive in her life and something that could give her the life she felt she deserved. Kimberley remained engaged with her education in residential care and was well supported by the school staff and her care team. After 18 months in residential care, Kimberley was placed in home-based care. Unfortunately, this initial placement broke down after six months. Fortunately, Kimberley was then placed with Jill, who has remained Kimberley’s carer for the past two years. In moving to live with Jill, Kimberley again exhibited her characteristic resilience and adaptability, in particular remaining engaged with her education.

Kimberley developed a positive relationship with Jill and appeared very much on track to achieve her educational goal of attending the sports college she had identified as her preferred option for completing her secondary education. However, during 2015, Kimberley became involved in a relationship with a young man, Steve, who lived in an adjoining town. In the early stages of the relationship Kimberley had regular contact with Steve, being permitted to stay at his parents’ home on monthly visits. Very soon, Kimberley began to spend considerable amounts of time at this home, visiting every weekend, and sometimes failing to return to her home with Jill at agreed times.

Jill became concerned for Kimberley, who became withdrawn, secretive and argumentative, and would often lie about her whereabouts. Her school attendance and work began to be disrupted and Kimberley lost a part-time position at a local shop due to her failure to turn up for work.

In discussions with Kimberley, the care team were able to identify that Steve was isolating Kimberley and had a negative influence of control over her.

Other obvious effects on Kimberley were that she would talk negatively about herself and her life, was hard to engage with, was detached from her carer (who she was previously very settled and engaged with), absconded from her placement and lied about her whereabouts. During one of these times, she was hospitalised after engaging in self-harm. After this incident, Kimberley was able to identify to her Quantum worker that her boyfriend’s overbearing tactics to maintain the relationship were a major contributing factor to her actions.

Quantum and the Department of Health and Human Services intervened, providing Kimberley with support, advice and practical intervention by meeting with Steve to explain the impact of the situation. Kimberley appeared relieved to be able to end the relationship and move on, and responded well to the involvement by the department and Quantum.

At the beginning of 2016 Kimberley enrolled at the local sports college and at the same time started a new relationship with a young man, whom she described as treating her respectfully, as she would like to be treated.

Recently the department and Quantum attended a school support meeting with Kimberley and her teacher. The positive change in Kimberley was evident, and extremely encouraging. The school spoke highly of her achievements to date, her engagement in the program and her positive prospects for the future.


Research, combined with our own experience, informs us that education is the gateway for all children to achieve their goals and becomes even more critical for those children who cannot live at home or are subject to a protection order. With the support of her care team, together with Kimberley’s own resilience and drive, she was able to redirect herself back onto a more positive pathway.


Giving Jess a space to be heard: transitioning to secondary school Authors: Jonathan Gonsalvez, School Attendance Support Worker Rebecca Pettit,

Education Support Services Team Leader

Organisation: Connections UnitingCare

Program: School Attendance Support Program

The School Attendance Support Program supports schools and families by addressing school refusal for primary school children. It aims to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with primary schools while engaging families around the topic of their children’s education, ultimately addressing school non-attendance.

The School Attendance Support Program (SASP) received a referral from a primary school with concerns regarding a 12-year-old girl, Jess.

Jess had sent sexual texts to a boy and the texts were shared with a number of people. Jess withdrew from peers who ‘picked on’ her regularly as a result of the text messages. These issues were compounded by Jess’s imminent transition into secondary school. Jess also perceived support from her family to be minimal during this challenging time. This was a critical period for support regarding school attendance and successful transition to secondary school because Jess was at risk of disengaging completely from education.

There were concerns that the most stable structures for Jess – her family and school – were not perceived as supportive during a particularly difficult time. SASP had regular contact with Jess, with a focus on giving Jess a space to be heard.

SASP supported Jess to communicate with school staff when facing issues. SASP also arranged and attended meetings with Jess and the secondary school welfare team prior to her transition. These linkages allowed Jess to build familiarity and some confidence, knowing she would be able to speak to staff about arising issues.

SASP intervention also involved discussions with Jess’s mother regarding Jess’s feelings of isolation. At the end of SASP involvement Jess’s mother demonstrated advocacy on her daughter’s behalf, and she regularly highlighted the positive steps that Jess had taken in her transition to secondary school.

The focus of service delivery was developing sustainable relationships at home and school, which was paramount to addressing generational school disengagement and creating positive outcomes for Jess. Providing insight and strategies to Jess’s school and family ensured an understanding of the many challenges that Jess was experiencing. A trauma-informed intervention provided the framework for promoting a sense of permanency and consistency for Jess.

At the time of the referral, there was conflict each morning between Jess and her mother because Jess didn’t want to go to school. At the time of closure Jess was happy to attend school, demonstrating the early intervention strategies and support put in place for the family were successful and sustainable in her transition to secondary school.


Benjamin returns home Author: Laura Neverman, Advanced Child Protection Practitioner



Benjamin is a young man with a chronic and complex trauma history, which resulted in Child Protection involvement until his 18th birthday. Benjamin spent the majority of his life in out-of-home care, unable to live in the family home. I worked with Benjamin for a 12-month period as his final child protection practitioner.

Over the period of Child Protection’s involvement with Benjamin he presented with a number of complex needs including a long history of problematic sexualised behaviours and inconsistent messages from his carers, resulting in escalating behaviours. Benjamin’s early childhood was characterised by frequent exposure to family violence, as well as physical and sexual abuse. Benjamin’s early years’ experiences had a significant impact on his development as well as his emotional regulation and understanding. Benjamin struggled to express his emotions in a healthy manner, often having outbursts of anger and aggression, with little known about his triggers.

At age 14 his behaviours became increasingly concerning, resulting in numerous hospital admissions and substantial police involvement.

It became clear that a collaborative approach with meaningful engagement with Benjamin and his family was vital to ensure a positive outcome and a purposeful intervention. A referral to the Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative (MACNI) aided Child Protection in ensuring a holistic approach with the required supports in place.

Benjamin and his family were provided with a multidisciplinary care team to meet their support needs. This team consisted of therapeutic services, psychiatric care, care coordination by a community mental health service, Disability Client Services, ACSO (forensic services and programs for people who are either in or are at risk of entering the criminal justice system), Ability Assist for Benjamin’s placement, MACNI and Child Protection as the lead case management service. Benjamin’s care team were a high-functioning group committed to his ongoing care and wellbeing. The care team actively communicated with each other after every client engagement and prioritised attendance at the monthly meeting. During these meetings the care team reflected on current practice and adjusted as required, creating an intervention that was reflective, respectful and purposeful. Over time Benjamin’s behaviours significantly improved. Benjamin meaningfully engaged with his care team on not only a one-on-one basis but also in care team meetings whenever appropriate.

With Benjamin’s hard work and the collaborative support of all professionals, a return home plan was developed after more than nine years out of his family’s care. The plan required an innovative approach utilising frequent outreach visits and resources such as the Targeted Care Package initiative to support the family with renovations to the home and individualised family support.

Benjamin continues to have significant systemic support, which collectively ensures his wellbeing. Benjamin is engaged in the therapeutic supports required to help him address his complex trauma history. At the time of Child Protection closure Benjamin was living in the family home, supported by a highly effective care team.


Not giving up: achieving the impossible Author: Alice O’Rourke, Case Manager Coordinator

Organisation: MacKillop Family Services

Program: Out of Home Care

Jason had a chaotic early family life, leaving him angry and traumatised and with wildly vacillating emotions. He was 11 years old when his mother became unable to manage his challenging behaviours, and he moved into a small residential care home with MacKillop Family Services.

Carers at Jason’s home initially struggled to get through to him due to his violent and aggressive behaviour and frequent assaults. When something made him angry, he would react physically, smashing property. His carers resorted to police intervention on multiple occasions.

Jason had not attended school for three years, had very poor hygiene, and often refused to leave his room in the home, preferring to remain isolated.

Jason’s carers at MacKillop worked consistently as a team to help him understand emotional intelligence, one of the key commitments of The Sanctuary Model. They worked on developing an effective behaviour management plan, and following incidents would reflect on how his behaviour made staff feel, how it made Jason feel, and what he could do differently next time.

After several months, Jason’s behaviour began to change as he started to understand his carers were not going to give up on him. A feeling of permanency and predictability was gradually established through weekly planners and routines, which helped Jason to feel like he was in a safe, nurturing environment.

Crucially, his carers were able to help him understand what his triggers were and why they made him angry. His triggers included being told ‘no’ or having any boundaries placed on his behaviour, as well as having contact with his family. Carers worked with him to explore both his physical and emotional responses to these triggers. They helped him create a safety plan and make a code word he could use to defuse his emotions if things became too much.

Over the months and years, Jason began communicating his triggers to other people in his life, including his mother, and their relationship benefited dramatically.

At the same time, MacKillop staff were supporting Jason’s mum to better understand and communicate with her son. They worked extensively with her to ensure there was a strong environment of predictability and routine at her house and provided assistance in terms of understanding Jason’s behaviours and how to manage them. She completed an online counselling course that taught her how to be more open and reflective, and she was able to use these skills to recognise the changes that certain situations created in Jason.

Weekly planners were created for consistency between Jason’s family home and his residential home. Contact between Jason and his mother was slowly increased over this time, which allowed for a natural transition back into the family home.

Today, Jason is living with his mother again, an outcome that seemed impossible when he entered care four years ago. He has had no further offending or criminal charges and has even returned to school and is working on a construction course, which he really enjoys.

MacKillop is still involved, visiting once a week to catch up and offer weekend respite for his mum, as well as providing a transport worker to take Jason to school.

His carers have noticed that he has a lot more confidence and self-awareness, taking pride in himself and his appearance and meeting with friends regularly.


Jason is still very close with all of his former carers at MacKillop and spends time with them whenever he can. MacKillop is proud to consider him an important part of our broad family!


From a lead tenant program to independence Authors: Kerry Antonucci, Senior Manager, Youth and Education Rebecca Prowse, Team

Leader

Organisation: Berry Street, Northern Region

Program: Lead Tenant

The Lead Tenant Program is an out-of-home care placement option providing young people aged 16–18 with both support and accommodation.

In 2013, when Marcus was 15, he was removed from his mother’s care. Prior to entering care Marcus was displaying challenging behaviour at home including verbal aggression towards his mother and damage to property. His behaviour was having an adverse impact on his younger siblings. When he first entered residential care Marcus would only stay at his placement about two nights per week but often returned during the day. Marcus provided very little information about where he would go during these absences and upon his return to the residential unit he engaged in property damage including spraying graffiti in his room and damaging walls.

A decision was made to refer Marcus to the Lead Tenant Program shortly after his 16th birthday. The more independent model suited Marcus and he began to engage with the volunteers. He also started to have some insight into needing to participate in his plan towards independence. Marcus commenced his Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning at a school close to his placement and attended regularly. He remained at placement most nights and was responsible in letting the lead tenants know if he would not be home.

Marcus displayed a willingness to engage with the lead tenants in furthering his living skills and started going to a gym as part of his school engagement. Marcus, having been to the gym when he was younger with his father, was keen to start this up again. During this time Marcus was exercising daily and eating well and also ceased all substance use on his own. His mental health appeared to improve. Marcus was focused and was keen to go professional with his gym training, which his trainers viewed as a realistic goal. Marcus also willingly engaged with the Springboard program – an intensive education and employment support program for young people leaving care – as he was aware of the support they could offer him in achieving his goal of becoming a trainer.

However, late in 2015 Marcus began to withdraw from the lead tenants and his gym and was not engaging with workers or school. He was observed to be substance-affected on a number of occasions and eventually he was admitted to hospital for a mental health assessment due to concern about his presentation.

After the hospital visit Marcus recognised that he needed to make some changes. He returned to school and the gym, and also became focused on his leaving care plan. Marcus gained a place in a foyer model house early in 2016.

Marcus transitioned to independence just before his 18th birthday. Transitioning to independence for Marcus set off a drive in him to better himself. He found casual employment on his own and reengaged with Springboard. Marcus remains engaged

with his schooling and aims to complete his VCAL this year. In 2017 he plans to undertake a course to gain entry into university the following year. He has indicated this will be continuing his interest in physical training and sport.

The positive outcomes for Marcus were achieved through his resilience and motivation and were supported by a committed care team with a strengths focus who stood by him during some challenging


times. Marcus was a good match for the lead tenant model and the availability of a viable accommodation option upon exiting care has further enhanced his journey towards independence.


Connor’s courage Author: Melissa Guzzardi, Integrated Family Services Case Manager


Program: Integrated Family Services

Fourteen-year-old Connor hadn’t attended school for years when he was referred to MacKillop Family Services’ Integrated Family Services program. He had suffered severe bullying throughout primary school and was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder and general anxiety.

Connor’s father had also recently been diagnosed with a serious illness, and his mother was suffering from anxiety. Both his parents were feeling very challenged by Connor’s difficult behaviours and the family unit was beginning to break down as a result.

An Integrated Family Services case manager at MacKillop assessed the situation and was able to provide multiple supports, which were ultimately life-changing for Connor and his family.

The case manager advocated on Connor’s behalf to his school so he could be better understood and supported in that environment. She also arranged regular counselling sessions with a therapist who specialised in working with young people who have obsessive compulsive disorder. At the same time, MacKillop supported Connor’s mother to manage her anxiety and taught her new skills in parenting and behaviour management so she felt more in control of her responses to Connor’s more challenging behaviours. A behaviour management plan was also created in conjunction with the therapist. This plan was provided to the whole family, with instructions on how to use it. Developing the skills of Connor’s family to better manage his needs helped his parents to feel more supported at home.

Connor is now attending school full time. He is engaged in his education and non-attendance has ceased to be an issue. He says bullying is no longer a problem. He is making new friends at school, and his therapy sessions are having a positive impact. He can now walk freely around his school and home without feeling the need to give in to his compulsions, which is a huge milestone.

Connor’s behavioural outbursts have become almost non-existent, and extended family now have the skills to support him without triggering his obsessive compulsive disorder behaviours, which in turn has led to a dramatic decrease in his mother’s anxiety.

Connor now looks to the future with hope. His courage and commitment to addressing his issues are an inspiration to staff at MacKillop, as is the commitment of Connor’s immediate and extended family, who have worked so hard to support him.


Making connections through sport and outdoor activity Authors: Jenny Smith, Residential Care Worker Marg McGillian, Senior Manager, Specialist

Adolescent Care Services

Organisation: Berry Street

Program: Residential Care

Andrew, an 11-year-old boy and his two younger brothers came into care on an emergency placement in 2014. He and his two younger brothers had all suffered significant trauma and experienced multiple placement breakdowns in the past. He was not engaged with any support services and had minimal attendance at school.

Prior to coming into care, Andrew had witnessed family violence and suffered from extreme neglect. Andrew had attended nine different primary schools as a result of the instability of his home environment. On coming into care, he was not engaged with school. Andrew was adjusting to being in residential care and a new environment in an unfamiliar town. It was apparent that he felt an obligation to look after his two younger brothers, although their interactions were often volatile and aggressive. He was very withdrawn in social situations and was reluctant to engage in activities outside the unit.

Re-engaging Andrew with education became a priority for his care team, although the initial focus for staff was to build trusting relationships with him and help him feel safe and secure within placement.

Clear and consistent boundaries were put in place. Andrew initially rebelled against these and his challenging behaviours increased; however, after a period of time, and with a team that was consistent in its approach, Andrew began to value his relationships with staff. With the support of staff, he gained the confidence to start Year 7 in 2015. Unfortunately, Andrew’s struggle to cope with the demands of mainstream schooling saw a return to challenging behaviours and dis-engagement with school.

Staff continued to engage with Andrew and provided stimulating activities such as baking and physical activities and gave him lots of opportunities to experience new situations. The goal of re-engaging him with education did not decrease and staff continued to address this at every care team meeting.

Andrew was enrolled in the Berry Street School and with unit and school staff’s support Andrew re-engaged with school. In mid 2015 he commenced a four-day-a-week timetable.

Andrew received a school achievement award at the end of 2015 for his excellent attendance, and his current aim is to get the 2016 plaque that is awarded to the student with the best attendance at the end of the year. Andrew has also been supported to participate in extracurricular activities, which he loves.

Andrew was nominated by unit staff to be a part of the Big Berry Adventure Camp to Western Australia in May this year. His positive participation and determination to complete all challenges presented to him demonstrated his growing self-confidence and feelings of worth. Andrew returned from camp bursting with pride over his achievements. Andrew’s story is testament to kind, calm and consistent care within placement and shows how commitment to a goal can be achieved when all members of the care team are active in the pursuit of that goal.


Supporting families to parent infants

Enhancing the relationship between Mum and baby David Author: Sue Wilson, Manager, Clinical Integration and Innovation

Organisation: Tweddle Child and Family Health Service Statewide Service

Program: Tweddle Child and Family Health Service

Tweddle is a specialist early parenting organisation that provides a range of parenting education and support services for vulnerable families with 0–4 aged children, including the 10-day Parenting Assessment and Skills Development Program (PASDS) and in-home support. The aim of all programs is to enhance the parent–child relationship through building parenting confidence, competence and understanding of their child’s cues, and gaining enjoyment of their parenting role.

Joanne was a very anxious 17-year-old first-time mum of 18-week-old baby David when she first came to Tweddle. She was referred by her family support worker due to concerns about her young age and her capacity to care for her infant.

Joanne was suspicious of adults due to her own history of child protection intervention and out-of-home care and feared that David may be removed from her care. David’s father was much older than Joanne and an intervention order was in place due to reports of family violence.

Joanne’s history was characterised by exposure to family violence, parental substance use, unstable housing and sporadic school attendance, the impacts of which amounted to an inability to trust, empathise, regulate emotions and learn. She was currently re-establishing a relationship with a maternal aunt; however, her immediate family relationships were strained.

A 10-day residential unit stay was recommended and a preadmission meeting was conducted with Joanne, her aunt, the referrer, Tweddle clinical staff and the local enhanced maternal child health nurse. Joanne expressed a desire to learn how to settle David and continue breastfeeding.

During her stay, Joanne remained engaged and committed to learning how to respond to her baby’s needs. She grew responsive to David’s distress and cues and became aware of the importance of family-of-origin influences and of exposing her baby to risks of harm.

Working from a strengths-based approach, clinical staff were keen to recognise and praise even the smallest achievements. Joanne felt listened to and seemed to flourish to the point where she would seek and appreciate constructive feedback, and began to interact with other parents in the unit.

Her support worker made regular visits to discuss progress. This led to a decision to extend Joanne’s initial 10-day admission with an additional five days at home to provide time for intensive therapeutic specialists recommended by Tweddle to support Joanne and David.

Joanne reported that she had reached her goals, was proud of her achievements and was confident to carry out the strategies at home with the support of her worker and her in-home specialist. She reflected that her learning on infant brain development, communication and playtime was particularly helpful in understanding their impact on David’s future.

The close collaboration and flexibility of service response has meant that this young mum felt acknowledged and supported as part of an expert team, all with the shared goal of ensuring baby David got the best possible start in life. A 15-day intervention delivered an empowered mum, connected to culture and supportive networks, and a little baby whose mum now knows how important her relationship is to her son’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive outcomes for life.


Walking alongside Susan and her grandchildren Author: Jane Worthington, Home-Start Coordinator

Organisation: Baptcare, Family and Children’s Services

Program: Home-Start

Home-Start is an early intervention service that places home visiting mentors with vulnerable families within the community to provide emotional and practical support around parenting. All mentors are trained volunteers who are supervised by a paid coordinator provided by Baptcare. This is a true community-supporting-community model.

At the point of referral Susan had been caring for her two preschool-aged grandchildren for a few months. The children had been removed from the care of their parents 12 months earlier following a serious injury to the younger child, who was two years old. At the time the children were removed, Susan was working full time and the children’s parents were living with her when the injury occurred, the department identified it was better for the children to be placed in short-term foster care while an investigation took place.

Once the investigation was complete it was determined that the children could live with their maternal grandmother, Susan. However, things were difficult for Susan – she continued to work full time while managing the care of the children, there was the trauma experienced by all involved in the initial removal of the children, and the children displayed difficult behaviours ranging from aggression to clinginess.

A family mentor, Carrie, was put in place and tasked with: supporting Susan to build routines; establishing a positive relationship between the two children; helping to develop confidence for Susan around parenting; emotionally supporting her to deal with the distress of the children’s removal; and managing future contact for the children with their parents.

Carrie met with Susan on a weekly basis listening, validating, normalising and offering information and guidance. Carrie encouraged learning and language development for the children. She helped create evening routines and shared the challenges around Susan’s contact with her daughter. Carrie encouraged Susan to develop a mental health treatment plan with her Doctor and to seek counselling. She also helped set up regular supervised contact for the children with their parents. She made herself available when the family needed it most – after hours, when Susan returned from work.

By establishing a non-judgemental ‘walking alongside’ relationship, trust was built where genuine changes could be facilitated for the family – at their pace.

Eighteen months later, Susan continues to work hard to juggle employment and caring for two small children, but there are noticeable positive outcomes. The children have fewer behavioural issues, more normalised sibling behaviours and delays in their development are no longer evident. The older sibling has transitioned smoothly into school. Working from a trauma-informed, strengths perspective allowed Carrie to gently guide and suggest options to the grandmother, never forcing a direction that the grandmother felt uncomfortable with but always exploring how the issue might best be dealt with.

Trust, empowerment and confidence were cornerstones to this engagement.


A therapeutic approach to contact laying the foundation for reunification Authors: Samantha Tait, Psychologist Emma Hull, Case Worker

Organisation: Connections, Eastern Metropolitan Region

Program: Enhanced Therapeutic Contact Service

Tahlia is a 13-month-old infant who was referred to the Enhanced Therapeutic Contact Service (ETCS) for supervised contact with her parents. Tahlia was removed from her parents’ care when she was two months old, due to neglect, failure to thrive and concerns regarding her parents’ underdeveloped parenting skills.

Tahlia was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC) for attachment and bonding issues, cumulative harm, insufficient supervision and neglect. Both Tahlia’s parents have an intellectual disability and Tahlia’s development was significantly delayed. Following the QEC assessment it was concluded that the parents were unable to care for Tahlia because they were unable to respond to her cues.

Tahlia was described as a ‘withdrawn, sad and highly contained little girl’; her parents required guidance to play with or comfort her during contact visits. The Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection were concerned that reunification was unlikely.

ETCS developed therapeutic contact goals with Tahlia’s parents to support emotional availability, safety, teaching, play skills, development, boundaries, structure and routine. The program used education, modelling, support and encouragement. Specifically, ETCS worked with the parents to help them observe and identify Tahlia’s cues and appropriately respond. The parents welcomed ETCS’s involvement.

Tahlia showed gains in her social, behavioural and emotional development. She became a happy and active participant in visits with her parents, confidently leading play, communicating her needs successfully, curiously approaching new environments and activities while using her parents as a secure base.

ETCS’s therapeutic focus enabled Tahlia’s parents to set and review goals and actively work towards these goals in supervised contact. Through that therapeutic contact the protective concerns were addressed, supervised contact became monitored, and the department developed a reunification case plan for Tahlia and her parents. Her parents were supported to access community activities including playgroup, and Tahlia and her mother were referred to the Connections New Parent and Infant Network program for mothers and infants to assist the parents further once Tahlia was returned to their care.

Tahlia was returned to her parents’ full-time care and ETCS supported the family in this. ETCS worked specifically with the family to identify their strengths and looked at the areas that required further assistance. The workers identified that the parents responded better to visual aids that helped them to understand what was being asked of them in relation to their parenting of Tahlia and being able to meet her needs.


The power of partnership Author: Wanda Ross, Case Worker


Program: Family and Community Services

Michael was placed in out-of-home care with MacKillop Family Services at the age of two following allegations of severe abuse. He remained in care throughout his childhood.

Shortly after leaving care at the age of 18 years, Michael and his partner Sara had a baby girl, Lauren.

The young family was under a lot of financial and emotional pressure, and this increased when Michael commenced caring for his half-sibling, Juliet (his father’s infant daughter).

Despite the young parents’ best efforts, Child Protection became involved due to concerns that the home environment was unsuitable for baby Juliet. Michael and Sara were terrified they might lose her. The situation was further complicated when Sara gave birth to a son Joe who had complex medical issues requiring multiple surgeries and months of hospitalisation.

As young and inexperienced parents, and recognising they were struggling to cope, Michael and Sara approached his former case workers at MacKillop for help. A Family Services worker was assigned to provide parenting support, which included instruction on meal preparation, establishing a routine for the babies in their care, supporting them with visits to the maternal health nurse, and providing baby equipment. This helped them to create a safe and caring environment for their children.

Michael and Sara also received assistance to navigate the service system. They learnt to manage Centrelink payments, banking and budgeting. Crucially, the worker also helped Michael to access the out-of-home care funding he was entitled to receive, which enabled him to buy a car for his family. The worker also helped Michael to liaise with employment agencies, which resulted in him finding a permanent job as a fork-lift driver.

Throughout this period, Michael’s case worker worked with Child Protection practitioners to address any concerns they had. The case worker supported Michael and Sara with the challenges of caring for three young children, including coping with their baby’s illness, and helped them to find suitable permanent accommodation.

The partnership between Michael, Sara and the Family Support worker enabled the family to address their difficulties and overcome the impact of trauma in their lives. MacKillop uses the Sanctuary Model as its practice framework with an emphasis on establishing safety through a trauma-informed approach to family support.

The family of five are now living in stable accommodation, in a safe and comfortable home and are all in good health. Child Protection is no longer involved. Michael has full-time employment and both he and Sara have a better understanding of the impact of trauma on them and their children. They are confident to ask for support should they need it in the future.


A reflective approach to reunification Authors: Beverley Allen, Director of Nursing Christine Petch, Coordinator PASD and Stronger Families Program

Organisation: QEC Early Parenting Centre

Program: Parenting Assessment and Skills Development Program

The QEC Early Parenting Centre works one to one with clients in its residential 10-day Parenting Assessment and Skills Development Program (PASD). PASD provides a home-based, nine-week intensive service working with families with children 0–4 years of age who are case-managed by Child Protection. Practitioners assess parenting capacity and risk to children. They identify strengths and challenges, provide parenting education and develop skill plans for parents.

The QEC Gippsland team became involved with Rosie and her 16-month-old daughter, Autumn, when child protection workers referred her for a Parenting Assessment and Skills Development program.

Rosie had arrived in Victoria from interstate and had experienced many challenges in her short time as a parent. She was socially isolated, the victim of family violence, had a transient lifestyle, and had been involved in the trafficking and illicit use of methamphetamine/ice. Rosie had been assaulted and hospitalised for injuries and her partner incarcerated. Autumn had witnessed the violence between her parents and had been placed in the care of her paternal grandmother for a period of ten months. Rosie was eager to be reunified with Autumn and was having one hour of contact twice weekly.

Rosie presented as a young woman who had experienced many traumas and was unable to place boundaries around people and their behaviours. She also lacked confidence. Furthermore, she had not cared for her child in so long that she was not attuned to Autumn’s stage of development.

QEC organised for longer contact visits to support the development of Rosie and Autumn’s attachment and for Rosie to learn how to respond to her physical and emotional needs. A skills plan was developed with the goal of Autumn returning to Rosie’s care. The team ensured that they built a professional relationship with Rosie, providing support and education based on giving open and honest feedback on parenting strengths and challenges. Rosie enjoyed watching video interactions of her play with Autumn and observing their mutual enjoyment. Practitioners asked reflective questions about Autumn, her cues and how she might feel when Rosie responded and talked to her. Rosie demonstrated parenting skills that she wasn’t aware of, and practitioners provided positive feedback and encouragement. As Rosie’s knowledge and confidence grew she became attuned to Autumn’s cues and needs. She would sing, interact in imaginary play, supervise her at all times, take pride in her and delight in her company.

With QEC team support Rosie attended drug and alcohol counselling, engaged in family violence education and started to attend a playgroup. She began to trust the team and was able to discuss her thoughts, feelings and hopes for Autumn and herself. At the end of the program Rosie had Autumn in her full-time care. She recognised the importance of her family and friends and returned interstate to live closer to her supports.


Cradle to Kinder: helping Emma meet Blake’s needs Author: Michelle Frost, Cradle to Kinder Worker

Organisation: The Bridge Youth Service

Program: Cradle to Kinder Program

Emma was 17 years old and 12 weeks pregnant when a community-based child protection practitioner referred her to The Bridge Youth Service for antenatal care and education, housing support and long-term parenting support.

The Bridge Youth Service supported Emma to participate in the Cradle to Kinder (C2K) Program, Transitional Youth Support (housing and accommodation support – TYS) and the Antenatal Care and Education program. When Emma was first referred, she and her partner Tom were living at a motel. Prior to that Emma and Tom lived at Emma’s mother’s home but were asked to leave due to a physical altercation between Emma and her older brother, as well as physical arguments between Tom and Emma. There were criminal charges relating to these incidents for both Tom and Emma, which resulted in 12-month good behaviour bonds for both.

Emma and Tom separated, and Emma moved back into her mother’s home while she attended her antenatal check-ups. But Emma’s struggles continued, with two suicide attempts both resulting in hospital stays. Tom and Emma continued to see each other sporadically during the pregnancy, with the family violence incidents increasing in number and severity of violence. Following the birth of their son Blake, Emma applied for an intervention order (IVO) against Tom. Tom breached this IVO three times, which led to jail time for one month. Tom has had limited contact with Blake since he was born.

Emma is currently being supported through the C2K program. She has secured a private rental property and has remained in stable accommodation. She maintains the home environment to a high standard and has developed essential life skills such as budgeting and household management. The C2K and TYS programs worked collaboratively with Emma, and the child protection case was closed.

Emma has re-engaged with education and is attending TAFE three days a week, while Blake attends child care two days a week. The other day he spends with his grandmother. Emma and Blake have attended ‘Baby Rhyme Time’ at the local library with the support from a C2K worker, and Blake began a term of swimming lessons at the start of the year. Emma has also started playing sport again. Emma has attended counselling for strategies in dealing with family conflict.

The Outcomes Star – Family Star Plus was utilised as part of the collaborative approach to working with Emma. Emma is now motivated and able to prioritise Blake’s needs, such as taking him to medical appointments, where Blake has been found to be meeting his developmental milestones. Emma and is building a positive support network in the community that will be of great benefit to her and Blake into the future.


Innovative programs

Pizza and parenting Authors: Janine St John, Maternal and Child Health Nurse Ben Cooper, Manager

Homelessness Support, Youth Programs Linda Brown, Manager Maternal and Child Health, School Nursing

Organisation: Gippsland Lakes Community Health

Program: Family Youth and Children’s Services Unit

This story is about a group of fathers (and men fulfilling that role in families) in East Gippsland who came together with male workers from Gippsland Lakes Community Health to form a safe forum to enable them to connect with each other and support each other to make a positive difference in their children’s lives. (The term father was used broadly to include all men fulfilling that role in families as we were very keen to address not just biological fathers but anybody fulfilling that role including step fathers and grandfathers.)

The maternal and child health nurses at Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH) are aware of the lack of specific support for fathers (and men fulfilling that role in families), particularly for our more vulnerable families.

A Communities for Children funding application was granted which enabled a scoping ‘Pizza & Parenting’ session aimed at exploring issues around parenting for men. Following the Family Partnership Model and Best Interests principles, Maternal Child Health (MCH) were very keen to offer the opportunity to men to use their own strengths and goals to drive the agenda.

MCH recruited men from the diverse services of the Family Youth and Children’s Unit (FYCS) at GLCH, which was the key to accessing those with the most to benefit from parenting discussions and support. The advertising emphasised it was ‘men only’, promoting them as ‘come and have a chat’ evenings. Transport was provided where appropriate.

The men met with male staff from the FYCS’s Youth, Family, Alcohol and Drug, Housing, Counselling and Men’s Behavioural Change programs, including a male child psychologist.

There were two discussions in late 2015, they were casual, after hours, over shared pizza. Although they were facilitated by staff, they were led by the men themselves. Once engaged, the men sought a more targeted long-term program which they designed themselves, and due to the flexibility of the funding weekly meetings were organised for the first term of 2016.

The funding criterion for attendance was exceeded by huge margins. The success with attendance at the more structured sessions, and a group desire to continue the discussion, has meant that a working group within FYCS at GLCH is putting together a submission for the next round of Communities for Children funding.

Success of the sessions has also opened access to resource funding to enhance the possibility of fulfilling the men’s desire to have a more ‘blokey’ meeting place. The MCH service will continue to be involved to facilitate evaluation and reporting requirements, although control has been handed to the working group and the participants.

The positives from the activity have been huge. Some of the highlights have been:

• the demonstrated ability of the men to articulate a situation from their child’s perspective


• a huge increase in awareness of the existence of the Raising Children Network website, from 0 per cent awareness to 100 per cent awareness among participants

• more intangible elements of friendships and peer support development – young and old have gelled in a supportive and constructive manner over shared experiences

• the men’s keenness to grow the group to meet their needs.

The factors that led to the success of this exercise are all related to the ability of the male workers to truly embody Family Partnership Model and Best Interests principles. Men involved with other programs within FYCS were able to build on their learnings within those programs. The male FYCS staff are incredibly gender-aware and were able to respond and relate to client-stated goals such as using flexibility to take the design of the sessions in the directions identified by the men and being outcome-focused to give the men concrete skills and networks.


Paws for thought Author: Trish McCluskey, Director

Organisation: Berry Street Gippsland

Program: Gippsland’s therapy trained dog Koda

Berry Street Gippsland provides a range of out-of-home care services, an independent school and mentoring and case management support services across Gippsland. We believe all children should have a good childhood, growing up feeling safe, nurtured and with hope for the future.

This is a story about Berry Street Gippsland’s therapy trained dog, Koda, and the work she does with vulnerable children and young people across the whole range of Berry Street Gippsland’s programs.

Koda, a border collie, came to Berry Street as a pup four years ago and was trained to respond to children and adolescents requiring support, comfort, crisis de-escalation and company in challenging situations.

Koda is there to absorb tears, sit close and be hugged when children are overwhelmed or upset. She is also great at high-fiving, playing pat-a-cake and showing off her tricks. Koda helps to support children while they are giving statements to their legal representative about difficult issues. She loves the Koorie Mentoring program and never misses an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with the kids. She especially loves surfing and fishing days or any chance for a swim.

Koda is an ice-breaker when young people know her but not one another and can start their friendships by trading ‘Koda stories’. Koda is happy to go on a raft with anyone who may be a bit scared and help them feel better by knowing that if Koda can do it, they can too.

Koda inspires confidence and feelings of support in children and young people. Her unconditional acceptance of people and her sheer joy in being with the young people makes everyone smile. Koda’s reputation for the odd naughty behaviour has also endeared her to children who come in after school to visit her. They enjoy hearing of her exploits such as being discovered eating the biscuits in our administration area and going ‘fishing’ without approval in the office goldfish pond.

Children and young people automatically trust Koda. She is told all sorts of stories in confidence. Her joy in seeing kids is so obvious that she lifts your spirits through her wonderful personality.


Enhancing engagement and intervention through joint visits Authors: Gayle Correnti and Denise Sheridan Aneliz Lawrence and Ines Perovic

Organisations: Berry Street Central Highlands Child Protection, West Division

Program: Central Highlands Joint Response Innovation

This is an example of a joint visiting initiative scheme conducted by the Berry Street Family Violence Service (BSFVS) and a Child Protection unit in regional Victoria that aims to reduce the number of children who are placed in care due to family violence. It involves the attendance of a women’s family violence worker and a men’s family violence worker with Child Protection to increase service engagement with both parents. The presence of a men’s worker helps hold the perpetrator to account.

A need for this service was identified when it became apparent that family violence services hold information that would be critical to assist Child Protection’s risk assessment. By including family violence services during first home visits, and sharing information as services, a better understanding of the family violence impact can be made and different options can be generated for families. This has helped to reduce the burden on the mother to be solely responsible for addressing the protective concerns and making her responsible for ending family violence.

The purpose of the joint visiting scheme is to advise the family about the reason for Child Protection’s intervention, explain the consequences and impact of family violence on the children and simultaneously offer an immediate connection with a family violence service.

This improves risk assessment and safety planning for the children. The approach maximises the opportunity for engagement at a critical moment and avoids the delay (and loss of momentum or sense of urgency) that can occur when Child Protection visit alone, and then refer to a family violence service.

In May 2016 a Berry Street women’s worker and men’s engagement worker attended a joint visit with child protection practitioners to a family where the father was alleged to have been violent towards the mother and their children aged ten, eight and two. The parents had complex needs including the mother’s current high-risk pregnancy, their own history of family violence as children and the mother’s experience in care as a child.

The joint visit resulted in both parents agreeing to work with BSFVS and the father moving out until the risk issues to the children and mother changed.

Health and wellbeing needs were identified for the mother and children as well as practical issues. Some of the identified needs required other services, and referrals were facilitated for the family such as counselling for the mother and a family services referral.

A subsequent joint visit occurred and included the BSFVS and family services to maximise engagement, information sharing, risk management and to explain each worker’s role to the family. This intervention resulted in the family making significant progress, and the father was able to return to the family home with a commitment that he remained engaged with services including a men’s behaviour change program.

The joint visiting scheme has resulted in fewer children being placed in out-of-home care, less re-reporting of family violence, enhanced engagement and immediate intervention with services. We are continuing to develop the joint approach and are working to strengthen therapeutic responses for children affected by family violence as part of an action research process with a Take Two practitioner. We identified that women are often pressured by perpetrators to alter intervention orders. As such, we have engaged a police prosecutor in service meetings to provide information on upcoming court lists for variations of intervention orders to enable services to better support women in court.


Having a shared understanding of the impact of family violence on women and children, and holding perpetrators to account across systems who are working with families, is critical if we are to successfully engage all family members and change attitudes and behaviours.


Working across traditional program boundaries to promote permanency Authors: Aisling Kendlin, Senior Caseworker, Adoption and Permanent Care Hayley

Pitman, Home Based Care, Case Manager

Organisations: Connections UnitingCare, Southern Division MacKillop Family Services, Southern Metro

Program:Concurrent Care Program – combining permanent care and home-based care

Concurrent Care is a partnership between MacKillop Foster Care and Connections UnitingCare Permanent Care, developed with the support of the Department of Health and Human Services, which accredits caregivers as both foster carers and permanent carers. The program is a new and innovative initiative for children aged three years or under who are likely to require permanent care in the future, and who have only had one prior foster care placement. Concurrent Care allows for the necessary case planning and court processes to take place without an adverse impact on the child’s placement. It removes the potential for disrupted attachments that result from multiple changes in placement and is designed to improve permanency and permanency outcomes for infants in out-of-home care where reunification is unlikely to occur.

Baby Laura is a 10-month-old girl who was removed from her parents at birth and is unlikely to be reunified due to the entrenched risks presented by her parents substance abuse and mental health issues. She has older siblings living in foster care. During her first eight months, Laura thrived in her foster care placement.

Laura was referred to the Connections UnitingCare Concurrent Care Program in February 2016. A meeting with representatives from both agencies and the department assessed available ‘concurrent’ carers to find a suitable match. Tom, Alice and their son Riley were deemed the best possible match. Laura had developed a strong attachment to her former carers and had not attended any form of day care. This was identified as a strong indicator that she could form a new attachment to Tom and Alice.

Laura is now placed with Tom and Alice. She is currently developing a secure attachment to all members of the family as they are to her. Laura continues to meet her developmental milestones and is adventurous and happy. Tom and Alice are supported by MacKillop, which includes help to maintain Laura’s contact with her birth parents and siblings. Laura’s former carers are taking on a grandparent role including providing occasional babysitting.

The case plan for Laura has recently changed to permanent care, and the placement with Tom and Alice will be converted to a permanent care placement whereby Connections will assume the primary responsibility for support required. The close collaboration between MacKillop, Connections and the Department of Health and Human Services was integral to working across traditional program boundaries, and Laura’s needs were prioritised by timely decision making.


It’s the small things Authors: Robyn Babbel, Senior Project Officer James McCann, General Manager Parkville

Youth Justice Precinct

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, Secure Services, North Division

Program: It’s the Small Things

‘It’s the Small Things’ is a project whereby clients of a youth justice precinct develop a presentation and meet with new staff to give them their insights into what makes an effective worker.

The Parkville Youth Justice Precinct (PYJP) accommodates children and young people aged 10–18 years on remand or sentence by the Children’s Court. These young people typically present with histories of considerable trauma, abuse, mental health issues, disability and alcohol or drug misuse from a young age that have contributed to them committing offences that can be very violent.

A skilled and motivated workforce is one of the biggest strengths of a custodial centre. The general manager of PYJP identified that it would be valuable for new staff to hear directly from clients about their experiences and their views on what makes a good worker.

Members of the PYJP Youth Leadership Council were asked for their thoughts on the topic ‘What makes a good worker?’ Some of the council members prepared a presentation for new staff. They gave the presentation for the first time in April 2016 called It’s the Small Things.

One of the young men wrote an introduction that said: ‘Growing up as kids, most of us have been promised so much in life and these promises were never followed through with so we were always let down. As new workers, please don’t promise us kids things you cannot follow through with, because this is how we get angry and learn not to trust you again’.

The presentation provided new staff with the following practical and useful tips:

• Be yourself and develop your own working style – don’t act like a different person. • Listen to clients when they are trying to tell you something. • Relate to clients by finding out things that you have in common. • It’s OK to make mistakes. • When a client gets angry give them time and space to calm down. • Learn from workers who clients see as role models; ask them for advice.

The ability to speak and share their thoughts with new staff says a lot about the perceptiveness and maturity of this group of young people. Feedback from new staff members was that they found the presentation to be inspiring and that it crystallised the content they had received during their induction.

There are now plans for young people to make a video that can be used for future induction processes.

From the content the young people developed, to the support they gave each other, and their commitment to undertaking this project, has been outstanding. Importantly, sharing their personal perspectives on ‘what makes a good worker’ has helped new staff to embrace their new role in a positive way.


A safe haven for Annie Author: Liz McPhillips, Targeted Care Package Coordinator

Organisation: OzChild, Southern Division

Program: Targeted Care Package

In July 2015 the Victorian state government targeted funds to enable children who had been placed in residential care to be moved into alternative arrangements that were better suited to their needs.

Annie had been removed from the care of her mother, Kay, at the age of five years. Annie and Kay both have intellectual disabilities, and Kay really struggled to parent Annie. Annie’s father, Alan, abused Annie and allowed her to be abused by other men.

When Annie’s story was presented at a Targeted Care Package (TCP) forum, the unit she was residing in reported that she could become extremely heightened and aggressive at times. She had damaged property and had started absconding.

OzChild were recruiting foster carers with a view to matching them to children and young people living in residential care units, to try to integrate them back into a family home. One of the new carers, Debra, appeared to be a good match for Annie. Debra had lived overseas for some years and had returned to live in Melbourne with her 14-year-old daughter, Lola. It was felt that the all-female household of Debra and Lola might be a perfect match for Annie. It also appeared that Annie’s interests of craft, music and outdoor activities fitted perfectly with the interests of Debra and Lola.

A proposal was fashioned on OzChild’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ model. Under this model, a foster family provides the child with a safe and stable base and respite carers move into the home to provide respite. The hope is that this helps the child feels more secure, particularly if they have been moved around to many placements.

The Department of Health and Human Services approved the proposal, and Annie’s four-week transition was put in place. This plan was a collaborative effort of OzChild, the department and the therapeutic specialist from Take Two who had been working with Annie at the unit. Suitable rental accommodation was sourced within Annie’s community, not far from her school, and near where Debra’s extended family lived.

Annie first met Debra and Lola at a play centre, a place where Annie could withdraw if she felt overwhelmed, which is exactly what she did.

Over the four-week period there were several visits to see the new home. On the first visit, it took Annie 15 minutes to enter the front door because she was so overwhelmed. After looking through the house, Annie sat with her face in her hands, peeking through her fingers when she thought no one was looking. On the next visit, Annie presented as more comfortable. There were several visits, which included walks to the local park, feeding the ducks, shopping expeditions to buy items for Annie’s new bedroom, watching movies and dancing to music with Lola. When Annie stayed overnight for the first time, she didn’t want to leave the next day and hid under her bed. Annie slowly left her belongings in her new bedroom and the relationship between her and Debra and Lola started to form.

Annie moved into the home in January 2016 and is now making great strides in her development, particularly at school and socially. She is slowly learning how to build positive relationships.

Annie has started to disclose abuse that occurred when she was younger and has re-engaged with a South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Abuse counsellor.

Annie’s outbursts are still evident, although are less frequent. Annie is also benefiting from learning how to build a relationship with her foster sister and how to ‘share’ a mother figure. Annie is part of a new family unit.


Careful matching ensured that the most beneficial type of family was matched to Annie – all female with a positive older sister role model and therapeutically competent main carer.

The TCP allowed Annie to feel that the home was her home, helping to pick the furniture for her bedroom. Through the package, Annie and the carer were supported by a therapeutic specialist, Annie’s swimming lessons continued and her respite arrangements are always with the same person. Tailoring the package for Annie’s individual needs helped to ensure that as little as possible changed in Annie’s world apart from the move into the home, and that there were limited, but consistent, people in her life.


Brothers Authors: Robyn Babbel, Senior Project Officer, Secure Services, North Division James

McCann, General Manager Parkville Youth Justice Precinct

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, Secure Services, North Division Program: The Brothers Program

The Brothers Program has been developed in the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct to address the risks associated with interpersonal conflict and violence between young people. The purpose of the program is to strengthen relationships between custodial staff as mentors for young people and address violence among young people using the medium of sport and fitness.

At Parkville Youth Justice Precinct there are sometimes tensions between young people from various cultural groups and between young people who have negative or antisocial connections, including some who have committed offences together. When these tensions flare up they can lead to violence within custody and once young people are released, impacting on and endangering the broader community.

With these issues in mind, members of the Parkville precinct’s Safety and Emergency Response Team developed the concept of The Brothers Program.

The program aims to break down barriers between the various cultural groups represented in custody, strengthen relationships between custodial staff as mentors for young people and address their use of violence through activities that are valued by participants – such as sport, fitness and music.

The intent of the program is to encourage young people in custody to focus on personal values of respect for self and others, having integrity and being accountable for their actions. For young people who have committed offences, these values are integral to their personal development and rehabilitation.

Participants are placed into teams led by youth justice workers who have joined the program as staff mentors. The teams then come together on weekends to participate in a range of physical activities such as swimming, strength and endurance, touch rugby and track and field, sometimes competing against community-based teams.

Participation in these activities is highly valued by young people, and they act as an enormous incentive for pro-social behaviour.

In order to stay in the program, young people are required to set aside previous negative connections, attitudes and behaviours, and demonstrate a willingness to make positive choices and accept others regardless of their background, culture or other characteristics.

The program focuses on breaking down barriers between young people and is open to all clients of the Parkville precinct, attracting a wide range of participants. It’s not unusual for up to 30 young people from differing ages, cultures and of both genders to attend, all participating with enthusiasm and without any of the usual interpersonal conflicts that may be expected among such a diverse group.

Sport is a valued activity for the young people participating in the program and allows for the natural development of positive relationships between the young people and with staff members. Old rivalries between young people are broken down as the program participants – and staff members – see other sides to each other.


The moment it ‘clicked’: reflecting on the Family Drug Treatment Court Author: Matthew Wilson, Practice Leader


Program: The Family Drug Treatment Court

In May 2014 The Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC) was established as a three year pilot program in the Children’s Court of Victoria. The aim of the FDTC is to provide a holistic and accelerated approach to support parents to cease using drugs and alcohol and be reunified with their children wherever this is possible.

The program isn’t easy. The process is supportive but intensive. For those diverted to the FDTC there are drug tests three times a week, weekly meetings with clinicians, child protection and services, weekly court meetings and goals as set in the Family Recovery plan.

For one couple, George and Sally, the moment it ‘clicked’ will forever be etched in the minds of the FDTC team.

George and Sally entered the FDTC program five months earlier – their four year old son Thomas had been taken into emergency care and had been residing in foster care for 12 months. George and Sally had a long history of methamphetamine use that had seen them lose almost everything. Living in their car, George and Sally had been unable to meet their appointments with professionals, necessary to assist them to address the multitude of issues in order to make sustainable changes to have Thomas return to their care.

When I was first asked to speak with George and Sally about the FDTC, they did not receive news of the program enthusiastically. George in particular, with a long history of involvement with the court system, was particularly adamant that a ‘judge’ wasn’t going to tell him what to do about his drug use. Neither parent accepted that their drug use was a problem and beyond their fierce desire to have Thomas returned to their care, their assessed ‘recovery capital’ (those internal and systemic resources that promote and sustain recovery) was low.

It was hearing that the FDTC is informed by a ‘recovery model’ that prompted George and Sally’s consent to be referred to the program. A recovery model posits that recovery requires stability; that is, individuals living in constant fear of family violence or suffering with significantly compromised physical or mental health, those living in poverty or suffering homelessness cannot, generally, prioritise recovery above immediate survival needs. Recognising this, the FDTC’s clinical case management takes a holistic approach to charting a participant’s recovery – meeting a range of critical needs in order to allow a focussed and sustained attempt at alcohol and other drug (AOD) recovery. George and Sally weren’t particularly motivated to address their drug use – but they desperately wanted to stop living in their car. When I spoke with them about the holistic focus of the FDTC, they were sold.

Five months into the twelve month FDTC program, the FDTC had failed to deliver them a house. George and Sally left no-one wondering about the failings of this innovative new program. They came to court every week – driving unlicensed and unregistered, and continued to use methamphetamines almost daily. They had no interest in residential

rehabilitation – they had car repayments to make and a rehab facility would take 85% of their income. They couldn’t afford to lose the car. Each week they would attend court, complain about child protection, about the foster care agency, about the FDTC’s failure to deliver a house that week, or about the fact that people thought their drug use was a problem – but they attended consistently, and submitted to urinalysis three times per week without failure, despite knowing the results would show methamphetamine use. They were making little progress and they knew it, but something kept them coming - each Friday they got to sit at a table with the Magistrate, their clinical case manager, and the


child protection practice leader and be given an audience - the team was interested in them and a relationship had developed.

The dam broke one day when the team was being chastised by George and Sally for its failure to deliver a house. George and Sally had had enough - it was time for the team to deliver on its promises. It was a tense meeting and when the Magistrate, having once again heard George and Sally’s demands, quietly asked ‘But what are you doing about your drug use? Thomas can’t come home until you’ve addressed your drug use and you don’t seem to be willing to do anything about it.’ George exploded. Tensions were high and George and Sally stormed out – we thought probably for good.

George and Sally came back the next week. They advised they’d made a decision to stop using drugs. There was no apology for the week prior, but there was a determination. From that point on, every drug screen result from George or Sally was clean. Something had clicked.

Through the intensive individualised support of the FDTC and a strong collaborative partnership with child protection, George and Sally began to develop insight into the impact of their substance use on their capacity to parent safely. They were active participants in parenting and relationship groups mandated by the Court, and through the engagement of peer mentors and the support of intensive clinical case management, they formed and sustained successful engagements with counselling and housing support services. Eventually, secure housing was identified for George and Sally - and there was much rejoicing.

Eight months into the program, George and Sally were demonstrating sustained abstinence from substance use, and at eleven months, Thomas was reunified. The child protection case closed when George and Sally graduated from the FDTC program - and even the child protection practitioner received a cuddle from them. It was a pretty special day.

George and Sally are proud of their achievements, and are becoming trained ‘peer mentors’ for parents who find themselves in similar situations at their point of entry into the FDTC program.


A therapeutic approach to contact between mother and daughter Authors: Irina Moroshko, Clinical Psychologist Prue Walker, Program Leader, Out of Home

Care

Organisation: Connections UnitingCare

Program: Enhanced Therapeutic Contact Service

Katya is a 14-year-old girl who lives in foster care. Katya had not seen her mother, Monique, in 12 months. The thought of having contact with her mother caused Katya anxiety. Katya expressed that she did not want to see her mother; however, the Children’s Court determined that work should be done so that contact between Katya and her mother could be resumed. Katya and her mother were referred to the Enhanced Therapeutic Contact Service (ETCS) so that contact could occur in a therapeutic setting.

Irina, the ETCS psychologist, visited Katya at school and developed plans to prepare her for visiting her mother. Irina also discussed with Monique the reasons for Katya’s anxiety and the need for contact to be supported. Irina worked with Katya’s carer to educate her and allay her fears that contact would destabilise the placement.

The first visit was very positive for both Katya and Monique. Katya was supported to choose three activities, starting with colouring-in, which was a fun activity and reduced the pressure for direct conversation and eye contact. Katya had prepared a letter to read to her mother about her feelings about the past, but she chose to leave this for another day because she wanted the visit to be positive. Katya and Monique shared conversations about their daily life and Katya was keen to know about her past and the good things that occurred. Monique was able to express her affection for Katya and comment on her growing maturity. Following initial monthly visits Katya asked if the contacts could be more frequent and for a longer period of time. Katya now sees Monique fortnightly for an hour. Katya also has weekly telephone contact with Monique.

After five months of contact, both Katya and Monique both felt that their interests were being represented in the contact process. Katya was reassured that the contacts could end if she wished them to, and Monique said to Irina: ‘I never had a voice before, and now I have you as my voice’; ‘I never heard anything positive about my parenting from anyone before … finally someone, a professional, can see it’.

The ETCS therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, with an understanding of the experiences of children who are removed from their parents’ care. There is also an understanding of the adversity experienced by parents and how this has impacted on their parenting. ETCS uses a strengths-based approach, identifying the parents’ strengths and supporting them to address any issues. Being able to empathise with Katya and give her a choice in relation to contact provided Katya with a sense of control and conveyed a message of hope. As a result, Katya now has regular contact with her mother without anxiety, and has re-established this relationship as a significant first step to start processing the trauma of her past. ETCS continues to liaise with the fostering agency as Katya’s carer has sometimes struggled with the fact that the contacts have gone well. This is a long-term placement for Katya and it is important that the carers’ feelings are acknowledged and that they too have the support required.


Responding to family violence

Exploring the ingredients for success in addressing family violence Authors: Tara Kornhauser, Senior Practice Development Worker Kelly Tobin, Team

Leader, Casework

Organisation: Berry Street

Program: Northern Family and Domestic Violence Service

Northern Family and Domestic Violence Service (NFDVS) provides support, information and advocacy to women and their children who have been impacted by family violence in the Northern Metropolitan region of Melbourne.

Amira arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker with her husband and one and a half-year-old daughter Zainab. Amira engaged with local services on arrival attending appointments with her local Maternal and Child Health Service. It was at one appointment she disclosed the family violence she was experiencing to her maternal and child health nurse. With Amira’s consent the nurse arranged for her to meet with the early years family violence practitioner. At the appointment, Amira agreed to meet regularly with a family violence case manager in a safe place within the community. The case manager made contact with Amira’s culturally specific support service, to discuss how both services could work together to effectively support Amira and Zainab.

The predominant aims in the work with Amira was assessing the current level of risk and working to make them both safer.

Amira revealed to her family violence worker that she was regularly and severely physically assaulted by her husband prior to and after her arrival in Australia. These assaults occurred in the presence of their young daughter Zainab. Regularly, her husband threatened to have Amira deported so he could find a new Australian wife. Amira’s husband isolated her from friends and community members, financially abused her and used regular verbal violence against her.

The family violence caseworker assisted Amira in providing this history to Victoria Police who applied for an intervention order on Amira and Zainab’s behalf, which excluded her husband from the home. Due to the high level of risk, Amira was supported to move to a property that was not known to her husband. However, Amira believed someone in her community disclosed her address to her husband as he began to attend her property and use violence against her. Due to the charges against him, Amira’s husband’s visa was cancelled and he was placed in an immigration detention centre. At this time Amira discovered she was pregnant.

Amira was supported by her case managers to access crisis accommodation and she received funding from Berry Street’s Private Rental Brokerage Program to relocate to new accommodation.

Berry Street Home Based Care found a respite family to care for Zainab while Amira was in hospital to deliver her baby. Amira gave birth to a baby boy, Mahmod. Amira and her two children remain in their safe and stable property, free from violence as her husband remains in detention. Amira is able to nurture and support her children’s development and feels part of her local community. The family are connected to play group and kindergarten and Amira is now taking English and driving lessons.

Underpinning this successful outcome was a focus on good communication between the Maternal and Child Health Service, hospital, migrant support services, playgroup facilitators and Berry Street to ensure that the family were safe from violence and to promote their recovery.


The case management model is a feminist, attachment and trauma-based framework of practice. In a culturally sensitive manner, the caseworker regularly spoke with Amira about the prevalence of violence against women, and that men perpetrate violence against women as a result of a power imbalance between genders within society.

The caseworker was particularly focused on Amira’s experience of being an asylum seeker, living within the Australian community and ostracised by her own cultural community groups. This assisted the caseworker to provide a more culturally sensitive service to Amira.


A mother’s determination to regain stability and connection Author: Tahlia McCulloch

Organisation: Junction Support Services

Program: Families and Children’s Specialist Services

The Families and Single Adults Program offers case management support to single adults and families over the age of 25 years who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness.

The Homeless Children’s Specialist Support Service provides support to children 0–18 years who accompany families accessing homelessness and family violence agencies. Services include case management, counselling and group work using a therapeutic model.

Michelle presented at Junction Support Services (JSS) initially for assistance to address homelessness. She had a terminally ill father whom she was caring for in Melbourne and travelling back and forth with her four children from rural Victoria. In order to give her children more permanency she left her children in the care of their father until she could return and recommence their full-time care. The father became involved in a relationship with a new partner who had three children of her own and together they formed a blended family.

While living in Melbourne Michelle began to have major concerns for the environment that her children were living in. The children disclosed physical and emotional abuse, drug misuse and environmental neglect in the home. Having experienced her own childhood trauma, she understood the impact this could have on her children. Michelle relocated to the area to reunify with her children. This was difficult and met with extreme resistance from the father and new partner who were focused on the income they would lose should the children no longer be in their care. Continual abusive behaviour and threats were made by the father’s new partner which led to an intervention order being granted to Michelle. The children made multiple reports to Michelle that the father’s new partner was physically abusive towards them and their step siblings.

During this time three of the children returned to Michelle’s care. The fourth child, an adolescent boy, decided to remain with his father. Michelle was advised by Child Protection to try mediation with the father. During the initial session at the Family Relationship Centre the father became abusive making threats to harm Michelle.

Following this incident JSS provided intensive support to establish safety and ensure the safety of Michelle and her children. The children were provided therapeutic support with two of the children participating in group work and one child receiving individual counselling at JSS. The Homeless Children’s Brokerage Program was accessed to assist one child to enrol in sport, another child to attend school camp and another child to obtain sensory objects to encourage emotional regulation.

Since linking with JSS the family were supported with obtaining safe and stable housing and received support with parenting and linking in to a new community. Michelle has engaged in counselling for herself and reports feeling a lot more settled with her family now. The children have become stable, they are engaging in school, the community and sporting activities and their overall wellbeing has significantly improved.

The adolescent son who remained with his father now wants to return to his mum’s care full time. JSS has been providing support to make sure this is a smooth transition.

Through collaborative work between JSS programs the family was provided a holistic support service which enabled them to regain stability and a strong connection with each other.

Key learning from this intervention include:

• A strengths-based approach empowered Michelle to take steps for herself to ensure the safety and protection of her children.


• The JSS staff worked collaboratively and applied a trauma informed care framework when working with the family to promote their safety and stability.

• The JSS staff applied a therapeutic model to their work which assisted the children and Michelle in their recovery from traumatic experiences.

• Comprehensive assessment and effective safety planning by the JSS workers. • Michelle was very clear and proactive in what she would like to see for her children. She has been

open about what issues the children have been facing and followed the correct paths for her children to be reunified into a home free of violence, drug use and environmental neglect.

• Michelle had a positive experience when initially referred to JSS so when other services were suggested to Michelle she was willing to engage with supports that would help her and her children.


Safety for Maggie and her children: the High Risk Response Conference approach Author: Melissa Gibbs, Case Manager

Organisation: Berry Street, Northern

Program: Family Services

The Family Violence team received a police report concerning an incident of family violence perpetrated against Maggie and witnessed by her children, aged five and nine. Maggie was advised by the police at this time to consider getting an intervention order and to seek support from the Berry Street Family Violence Service (BSFVS).

Maggie disclosed to a Berry Street Family Violence worker that her husband was perpetrating family violence against her including controlling behaviour, emotional abuse and physical assaults. He was using the drug ‘Ice’ and taking large sums of money from their joint bank account. Maggie was aware that her husband had access to firearms and had observed his highly unpredictable behaviour which was exacerbated by his drug use. She stated that she was reluctant to obtain an intervention order as she was fearful of the repercussions.

As a result of the meeting with the Family Violence team, the following occurred:

• a mobile phone was provided to Maggie • an appointment with the Women’s Legal Service was scheduled • a referral was made to the High Risk Response Conference (HRRC) due to the high-risk nature of the

situation.

Maggie’s situation was presented to the HRRC panel, which comprised representatives of Victoria Police, Child Protection, the Department of Corrections, and a number of community services including the Berry Street Family Violence Program.

After further family violence reports involving significant physical violence were made, the police applied for an intervention order on behalf of Maggie. Even with an intervention order in place, the husband regularly attempted to contact Maggie, in breach of the order. This behaviour resulted in the husband being charged and remanded.

The presenting issues for Family Services included:

• safety concerns for Maggie and her children due to a history of verbal and physical violence dating back to 2010 and high risk factors such as the husband’s ‘ice’ use and access to firearms

• trauma experienced by Maggie related to the family violence perpetrated against her • trauma-related to the exposure of Maggie’s two children to family violence • recent separation • financial hardship.

Family services’ intervention achieved several goals for Maggie and her children including:

• linking the children with a counsellor at their primary school • referring Maggie to the Berry Street Turtle Program for support around the emotional impacts of

family violence and separation on the family • assisting Maggie to apply for Centrelink payments and sourcing material aid • assisting Maggie to apply for Special Child Care Benefits to cover after school care • liaison with external organisations such as the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal • options for counselling for Maggie were provided, for when she felt ready to talk about her situation.


Statutory and voluntary services worked collaboratively to keep Maggie and her children safe and to address their needs. The support provided included a combination of practical interventions and emotional support aimed at helping the family through a difficult transition and addressing the trauma Maggie and her children had experienced. Service provision focused on Maggie’s strengths and empowered her to remain outcome-focused.

Maggie and her children now live without fear of retaliation, are financially secure and are re-building their lives with the support of family and friends.


Staying the course for Oliver Author: Sandy Vandayar, Practice Leader

Organisation: Department of Health and Human Services, East Division


Oliver became involved with Child Protection after disclosing being physically and emotionally abused by his father. Oliver is 15 years old and is of Chinese heritage.

Upon meeting with Child Protection, Oliver advised that he felt scapegoated by his father and disclosed that his father was physically violent and controlling in many aspects, resulting in Oliver feeling unsafe at home.

Unfortunately, Oliver’s father initially failed to recognise the impact that his aggressive behaviours had on Oliver, stating that Oliver was just being disciplined for demonstrating ‘rebellious’ behaviours, such as not completing chores or homework in a specified timeframe. Child Protection attempted to discuss the concerns with the father; however, he failed to provide direct responses in regard to his violent behaviours, regularly stating ‘no comment’. While Oliver’s mother recognised that Oliver felt unsafe and she wished to support him, she agreed with the father’s outlook and both parents disagreed with the need for Child Protection’s involvement.

Following the disclosure, Oliver’s parents arranged for him to stay at his paternal grandmother’s home; however, the father’s anger and resentment grew towards child protection and his relationship with Oliver deteriorated. Oliver’s parents withdrew him from school, where he had a scholarship and where he felt safe and secure. As a result, Oliver’s mental health deteriorated, he suffered from sleep loss, increased agitation, refused to attend his new school and ceased communication with his parents.

The focus of Child Protection’s involvement was to support Oliver and to support the parents in building their relationship with Oliver, by encouraging the father to cease his physical abuse of Oliver, take responsibility for his actions and seek support in managing these behaviours, in order to improve communication within the home and ensure Oliver’s safety.

Referrals for family therapy and counselling offered to Oliver and his father, were declined.

For the sake of preserving the family’s relationships, three family decision making meetings were held to ascertain what would be in Oliver’s best interest given the family were adamant that he return home. Child Protection explained that due to Oliver feeling unsafe at home and due to lack of behavioural change on the father’s behalf, Oliver must continue to live with his paternal grandmother.

The parents often discussed how they felt discriminated against as their means of parenting was culturally informed. Child Protection maintained a culturally sensitive approach throughout involvement by reminding parents of Victorian law regarding child abuse and by educating the parents around typical adolescent behaviours and emotional development. The risks, likelihood of harm, strengths and vulnerability of the case were discussed. Child Protection considered the parents’ views and attempted to reach an acceptable solution. Through collaborative practice and regular engagement with the parents and Oliver, positive relationship building occurred.

Child Protection operated from a strengths-based approach, reminding the parents that Oliver was an extremely intelligent and emotionally attuned young person and the parents’ continual attendance at meetings demonstrated their commitment to him.

Ongoing contact occurred with Oliver during Child Protection’s intervention. He regularly expressed that he wished to have a healthy and positive relationship with his parents, however, still felt scapegoated, isolated and fearful of his father and therefore wished to remain in his paternal grandmother’s care until he felt safe to return home.


During the final family decision making meeting it was agreed that the paternal grandmother would attend. The paternal grandmother offered that Oliver continue to reside with her. During this meeting the parents advised that they were aware that Child Protection was trying to support the family and agreed for Oliver to reside with his grandmother and be re-enrolled in his old school, until such a time that the family engaged with supports and Oliver was ready to transition back into the family home. Further, the father acknowledged that he had been physically aggressive towards Oliver in the past and self-referred to a counselling service to assist in managing his anger issues. An emotional and rare moment of authenticity was observed between Oliver and his father, as his father apologised for his behaviour, advised Oliver that he loved him dearly and assured him that he was welcome home when he felt ready to return.


Protection and connection

Ruby’s joy – her journey back to Dad Authors: Alison Dorgan, Child Protection Practitioner Melanie Mitchell, Child Protection

Practitioner



Ruby is 15 years old. At eight months old she was removed from her parents’ care, and at 18 months Ruby was placed with a foster carer, who was to be her permanent carer for the next 13 years.

Around the time Ruby turned 15 years old, her relationship with her carer became difficult. Ultimately, the permanent care placement broke down.

For Ruby, this meant a breakdown of the only meaningful relationship she had ever known. However, throughout the years residing with her permanent carer, Ruby did have contact with her father, Shane four times a year. Ruby had limited contact with her mother in the early stages of her placement, but this ceased when Ruby was five.

Following the placement breakdown, Ruby was placed in foster care.

Child Protection made contact with Ruby’s father Shane, who agreed, together with his partner to being assessed with regard to having Ruby reunified into his care. Child Protection completed the assessment which concluded that the home and the family dynamics were conducive to Ruby’s reunification with Shane.

Ruby commenced fortnightly contact with Shane and his family at their home. This has been facilitated and supported by Child Protection, Anglicare and Shane. After these visits Ruby showed obvious joy and she is now able to verbalise that she feels part of a family now. Shane, his partner and her half siblings have been welcoming and supportive of her joining the family and living in their home.

The planned reunification was a staged return over a five-month period, to ensure it wasn’t rushed. Child Protection was aware of the importance of taking the time to develop the relationship between Ruby and Shane and his family. At all times Ruby was supported, and her trauma experience has been at the forefront of planning. To help Ruby make sense of her relationship with her mother and permanent care family she has been supported to develop a life storybook with an Anglicare worker who has knowledge of Ruby’s life experiences.

The reunification plan has been further supported by Anglicare providing outreach services to Shane, who lives outside their normal service delivery area. Child Protection and Anglicare were able to refer and set up services in the town where Shane lives to support him and his family prior to the reunification and post reunification. These services include Family Services to support the family with parenting strategies and the dynamics of a new child entering the family group. Ruby has also been referred to a youth service for counselling. Anglicare has facilitated communication between Ruby’s current school and the local secondary college where she will commence once she has moved home with her father.

While all the family members are anxious about the impending change, they are also excited about welcoming their daughter and sister into the home forever. Ruby has been able to verbalise to workers the excitement of living full time with her family. One of the highlights she has been able to identify is the joy at the thought of spending her first birthday ever with Shane – a party with extended family has been planned and the countdown has begun.


Promoting healing through connection to culture Author: Maree Hallinan, Advanced Child Protection Practitioner


Program: Child Protection Permanency Team

This story is about a 12-year-old Aboriginal boy, Sam, who has been subject to Child Protection involvement for four years, and the work completed in conjunction with Lakidjeka that resulted in a decision to progress the case to permanent care.

Growing up, Sam was exposed to his mother’s alcohol and substance misuse and criminal offending, which resulted in incarceration and absence from his life. He was also exposed to abuse from other family members, absence of his father, and estrangement from his Aboriginal maternal grandparents.

Sam was described as very insecure, antisocial, fearful, lacking in confidence, struggling to connect with his peers and struggling at school. Contact with his mother was difficult for him because he did not feel safe with her, was concerned for her safety and tried to make her wish to have him come home to her care.

Sam had two placements with family members after he was removed from his mother; his second placement was with his maternal grandparents, who were assisted and supported by Lakidjeka.

To support Sam, his maternal grandmother ceased working to ensure she could be home for Sam; they also moved house to a farming area. He now lives in a place where he has animals to care for, is involved in a small community and has plenty of space around him. Sam changed schools and has reconnected with extended family.

Sam’s cultural needs are being met by his maternal grandparents. His grandfather often takes him camping with family members, providing him with opportunities to share the cultural knowledge and experiences of his family.

He has regular positive and safe contact with his mother now, which is arranged and facilitated by his grandparents.

Sam’s journey through life, with the commitment of his grandparents, has meant that he is safe, loved and well cared for. Their commitment to him was realised in April 2016 when he was placed on a permanent care order.

Sam was so relieved when the permanent care order was granted in court, knowing that this was his ‘forever placement’, that he cried with both relief and joy.

Throughout the involvement with Sam his rights for safety, support and stability were of highest priority for his grandparents, Child Protection and Lakidjeka. The collaborative relationship and focus of his grandparents and services helped Sam feel safe enough to start to trust adults again, including a counsellor, education staff, Child Protection and medical personnel, and to begin healing.

Child Protection and Lakidjeka pursued the engagement of his extended family, which had previously been excluded from his life, and this was something that enabled him to feel loved and cared for. It provided him with a secure support base from where he was able to commence his healing. Sam’s family also supported his healing in the context of his cultural identity, in which Sam has now developed into strong-willed, good-humoured and loving boy who is not limited by his trauma.


Thriving together Author: Tobi Yusuf, Case Manager

Organisation: OzChild Foster Care, Southern Division

Program: Home Based Care

I met Elijah, eight, and his sister Teresa, 10, when they came into foster care a year ago. The children’s mother left the family home when the children were three and five. Their maternal grandmother and their stepmother were unable to provide them a home. Their father was considered inappropriate to care for the children for protective reasons.

When the children entered foster care last year, it was extremely difficult to find carers able to care for a sibling group. Unfortunately, Elijah and Teresa had to be separated for a period of two months until appropriate carers were found. Elijah and Teresa have now been in their current placement for over a year and are thriving. The children have integrated into their community and both have developed friendship groups and they often have weekend play-dates. Both children have also quickly become a part of their local school community, participating in community events and local clubs. For the first time in their lives, Elijah and Teresa live in a home where they have their own bedrooms. The children were given the opportunity to decorate the rooms any way they wanted.

Most importantly both children have formed a positive attachment with their carers. Elijah and Teresa have openly expressed their joy about their current placement. Being happy and settled has translated to all facets of their lives. They are achieving academically, producing results that have them at the top of their classes.

Although not living with their older sister, the current placement has allowed for a high amount of contact between the siblings. Their older sister attends their current placement most weekends to be part of a group activity followed by a dinner. Elijah and Teresa’s older sister has commented on how happy she is with the positive changes and progress her brother and sister have made. Elijah and Teresa have become a large part of the carer household.

Elements that stood out resulting in positive outcomes are the high levels of emotional availability the carers showed Elijah and Teresa – something neither of them had experienced in several years. The emotional availability, warmth and support has been crucial as it has resulted in extremely positive outcomes for Elijah and Teresa.


Grandparents united for children’s best interests Author: Nicole Augustine, Advanced Child Protection Practitioner


Program: Permanency Team – Child Protection

Three young brothers (John, 11 years old, Joe, 10 years old, and Josh, two years old) who needed to be placed away from their parents’ care live with their paternal grandparents and were identified as suitable for a kinship assessment for conversion to permanent care.

John, Joe and Josh had been known to Child Protection since 2004. All three children had been exposed to their parents’ substance misuse, family violence, mental health issues and a chaotic lifestyle.

In 2015, tragically, the boys’ mother took her own life. John and Joe’s father was already deceased and Josh’s father could not be identified. It was assessed and agreed by Child Protection that the sibling group should remain together and work began to explore suitable family options. All three children were placed with John and Joe’s paternal grandparents, who offered the siblings the warmth, emotional attachment and family that they needed.

Child Protection completed a permanent care assessment, and it was confirmed that these children had found their forever home with family members who were committed to them for the long term. Child Protection acknowledged that although the paternal grandparents were in their early 70s, which can have some limitations, both are able to meet the safety, stability and developmental needs of each of the children to a high standard with the support of the extended family. Child Protection encouraged regular extended family contact, and the children have at least fortnightly respite with the maternal grandparents, paternal aunt and uncle. Due to the age of the paternal grandparents, Child Protection had open and transparent conversations about the need for a well-developed contingency plan, which has been agreed upon between extended family members. Child Protection spoke to the extended family members as part of the permanent care assessment, and all articulated their support for the placement and their support of the children as they reach adulthood.

The children and the extended family were very much wishing for this arrangement to be made ongoing. In May 2016, a permanent care order was granted for John, Joe and Josh. Demonstrating their level of love and commitment, both the paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents attended the court hearing together with the boys.

Both maternal and paternal grandparents thanked the practitioner for her dedication, empathy, understanding and kindness while listening to their story. The practitioner had been able to evaluate that the family needed time and several visits to be able to share their difficult story to achieve the best outcome for the children.

The paternal grandparents and extended family’s relationship with the children is built upon unconditional love and positive regard. Their demonstrated deepest desire to be able to keep the boys together as they grow and reach their full capability has meant these children will grow up together, as siblings.


Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge and thank the children and young people for their artworks and the following for allowing the department to use artwork by children and young people within their organisation.

Anglicare Victoria

Barwon, Child, Youth & Family

Berry Street

Bubup Wilam Early Learning Centre

Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network

MacKillop Family Services

Parkville College, Parkville Youth Justice Precinct, Department of Health and Human Services

Travancore School

Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare in developing this year’s Good Practice publication.


Good practice: a statewide snapshot 2016

Documents

Transcript of Good practice: a statewide snapshot 2016