ACWA update
The easing of restrictions in Victoria has been the news we have been eagerly awaiting and all of us in the office are certainly relieved. We will probably remain shut until the end of the year but we are now well settled into the routine of working from home.
This month staff have been hard at work on a brand new website which will launch shortly. The website is far more advanced than ACWA's existing site and will significantly improve user's experiences. It will also reduce administration which is always an advantage. Members will be informed when the site goes live.
Staff also took part in a several virtual events. The Torrens University Virtual Careers Expo was a fantastic opportunity to chat directly with students about their career pathways and options post-graduation. Our Acting CEO also presented at Professions Australia's round-table on future pathways to professional standing which provided an opportunity to share ACWA's story and learn from other professional associations.
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| | COVID-19 resources
Our COVID-19 resources page will help you deliver quality services and look after yourself and clients during these challenging times.
Resources include:
- Re-opening in Victoria
- New mental health clinics
| | Bite sized news Services Australia has a new strategy which outlines how it will support people affected by family and domestic violence. An interim report on the Government's responses to homelessness during COVID-19 has be tabled in Parliament. Australia's first social impact bond, which aimed to restore children in out-of-home-care to the safe care of their parents, has been declared a success. Northern Territory has opened its first specialised domestic violence court in Alice Springs. Queensland's neighbourhood centres have a new strategy for building drought resilience in rural and regional communities. Queensland's Human Services Quality Framework has been updated. Victoria's Child Protection Manual has been updated with new capability framework resources. | | | Celebrating community workers This week is the 7th annual Social Service Workforce Week, a global event to shine a light on practitioners and the work they do. The Global Social Service Workforce Alliance has been busy releasing daily content to get the message out and we encourage you to browse their resources. One of the latest is a manual on strengthening supervision which is an excellent read for both indiviudals and organisations. Access the resources and supervision manual In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews, released a message recognising and thanking the state's community workers for VCOSS' Thank You Day. We are happy to see this public recognition and we echo the Premier's sentiments. We know how tough it has been for community workers to support the increasing number of vulnerable people around Australia, all while dealing with the impact of the pandemic in their own lives. Watch the Premier's message to community workers Fair pay update Last month e-news reported on the the issue of fair pay in community work and our hopes for the Federal Budget in this respect. We are relieved to report the Federal Government will provide ongoing funding for frontline service providers impacted by the legislated cessation of the Social and Community Services Special Account. The funding will ensure increased wage costs, in relation to the Equal Renumeration Order, continue to be met. Read the DSS factsheet
Suicide prevention news
Suicide prevention is a hot topic at the moment with several notable achievements and major reports. Suicide Prevention Australia has released what it hopes will be the first of many annual reports on the state of the suicide prevention sector. The findings show a 78% increase in the demand on the sector but also a high level of collaboration between organisations. Read the report Australia has also gained a new website as part of the first national suicide and self-harm monitoring system. The site will be regularly updated and improved as state and territory data aligns. Visit the site Black Dog Institute has released a call to action focuses on what can be done to decrease suicidal behaviour. The white paper covers many areas of work, including exploring the effectiveness of suicide prevention awareness campaigns. Read the report This comes on the heels of the University of Sydney's first dynamic modelling of national suicide prevention strategies to determine the most effective methods to bend the mental health curve. Read the report | | | Child Protection Career Information Series You are invited to the Child Protection Career Information Series 2020 - North Division. Lunchtime and evening sessions are being held 17-19 November. You will hear from leading child protection practitioners and learn about current innovations and initiatives within the Victorian child protection program. You will also have the opportunity to talk to these leading practitioners about their roles and career progression. Finally you will be provided an opportunity to explore current opportunities within the Metro & Loddon areas (Preston & Bendigo offices). Relocation Packages available for successful child protection candidates. Register today | | | Practice resources
Responding to food insecurity
CFCA has published a practice guide which describes the prevalence, experience and impact of food insecurity in Australia, identifying the populations most at risk and exploring various responses. It includes information to help practitioners screen for food insecurity and best practice advice for supporting households. Read the resource . Health education and promotion 'My Body. My Health.' is an initiative to improve health knowledge among refugee and migrant women and promote informed decisions within the Australian health care system. The initiative centres around a toolkit for women, written in plain English and accompanied by illustrations. There is also a facilitator's guide for practitioners. Access the resources New virtual peer support service eFriend is a first-of-its-kind planned virtual peer support service in Australia, developed by Independent Community Living Australia (ICLA). eFriend provides non-clinical, peer-based mental health support to people via video or phone calls using a methodology known as 'befriending'. eFriend is free and suitable for anyone aged 18 or older. Learn more Talking about parenting The Thoughtful Parenting Kit is an important set of resources for parents and carers to think about what about their parenting is important to them. The kit contains nine chapters designed to be watched in groups and discussed. While the kit itself is not new, the Australian Childhood Foundation has now made it freely available. Access the resources Test your telepractice knowledge The Parenting Research Centre has a new 19 question quiz to help practitioners review their telepractice know-how. While many practitioners have been using video calls for some time now it doesn't hurt to stop and reflect on your methods and how your approach, does or should, differ from face to face practice. Take the quiz | | | Research corner Safety net to poverty trap? The twentieth-century origins of Australia's uneven social security system Source: Brotherhood of St Laurence This research explores how Australia's social security system has developed over more than 100 years, and why it is no longer suitable. Read the report Western Australia's Not-for-profit Landscape 2020 Source: University of Western Australia This study examined the ACNC data provided by NFPs and charities headquartered in Western Australia to explore the sustainability and prospects of the sector. Read the report Inquiry into integrated housing support for vulnerable families Source: AHURI This Inquiry investigated how housing support for vulnerable families experiencing domestic and family violence can be best integrated with other supports to enhance safety and wellbeing. Read the report Student health and wellbeing: A systematic review Source: Evidence for Learning This report presents a review of intervention research examining effective student wellbeing in schools and their academic outcomes. Evidence that is relevant for students from disadvantaged backgrounds is highlighted. Read the report Responding to adolescent family violence: Findings from an impact evaluation Source: The Australian Institute of Criminology This paper presents the findings of an outcome evaluation of the Adolescent Family Violence Program, an intensive case management program in Victoria. Read the report Enacting 'more-than-human' care: Clients' and counsellors' views on the multiple affordances of chatbots in alcohol and other drug counselling Source: International Journal of Drug Policy This study asked both service users and practitioners from an online counselling service for their opinion on the use of AI-driven chatbots in alcohol and other drug counselling. Read the report | | | Calls to action
Contribute: Journal articles
The next edition of the journal Update will have the theme: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples: Stories of good practice in the community sector. Articles are welcome from service users, workers and organisations. Contributions are due COB 16 November but please let ACTCOSS know beforehand so they can reserve a spot for you. Get involved
Opportunity: First Circles Leadership Program (NT)
The Office of Aboriginal Affairs has opened nominations for the First Circles Leadership Program. This is a flagship program to help identify, mentor and support Aboriginal emerging leaders from remote communities across the Northern Territory. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with government at the highest level and provide advice on policies, projects and initiatives. Get involved Awards: Community services excellence (WA) The Community Services Excellence Awards are a partnership between the Department of Communities and WACOSS, and supported by Lotterywest. They are also, perhaps more than ever, an indispensable opportunity for the sector to reflect on its achievements. You can nominate an individual or an organisation. Nominate today Survey: The impact of service closures on the lives of people with dementia Researchers at Griffith University want to hear from older people (aged 65 or older), people living with dementia and their informal carers about the effects of COVID-19 related closures of social care services on their lives and well-being. Please share this link | | | National conferences
Family & Relationship Services Australia National Conference 2021
7-10 June 2021, Adelaide SA
This 'not to be missed' event will feature highly acclaimed presenters with a focus on delivering the most effective services to children, families and young people.
| | | Featured jobs Trainer/Assessor to deliver the Diploma of Community Services Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA) IHNA is a quality-driven, nationally Registered Training Organisation (RTO), committed to continuous improvement. IHNA is seeking Trainer/Assessors to deliver the Diploma of Community Services at Sydney/Melbourne and Perth campuses. Learn more and apply Team Leader Territory Families As a Remote Services Team Leader, you will lead and supervise a team of professional and safety support staff in the delivery of integrated statutory and non-statutory welfare and safety services to vulnerable children, families and groups residing in remote communities. Learn more and apply Senior Child Protection Practitioner (Family Violence) Department of Health & Human Services An outstanding opportunity currently exists for a highly motivated individual to either join the Portland based team or provide leadership in this role in a remote capacity. The Senior Practitioner (Family Violence) supports the capacity of child protection practitioners to better respond to risk for children exposed to family violence. Learn more and apply Child protection roles Department of Health & Human Services Child Protection work is rewarding, fulfilling, challenging and demanding, with many opportunities from Case Support Work (CPP2) to Expert Practice (CPP6) roles. DHHS is looking for professionals who are confident and resilient. You must be empathetic and open to change when working collaboratively with families and other professionals. Learn more and apply | | | | |
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