Children’s Resource Program Barwon South West Region |
BARWON SOUTH WEST REGIONAL CHILDREN'S RESOURCE PROGRAM (BSWRCRP)
The Barwon South West Regional Children's Resource Program was developed to assist the homelessness sector in identifying and addressing the specific needs of children experiencing homelessness. The program provides a range of support to homelessness services in the region who work with children in homeless families and advocates on behalf of children experiencing homelessness on a range of issues that affect their health, wellbeing and status within our community. Support is provided by:
Direct support to homelessness services
Skills and knowledge provision
Service system development
Community development
Research and best practice documentation
The Program
Is statewide with co-coordinators in each Department of Human Services Region across the state and was developed to assist the homelessness sector in identifying and addressing the needs of children experiencing homelessness.
Services
Advocate on behalf of children experiencing homelessness and/or family violence
Assistance to develop agency policy, procedure and improve case management practice and support provision to children in line with the Homelessness Assistance Standards.
Participate in the development of policies relating to children in SAAP services.
Respond to the professional and support needs of workers who are required to support families and children who have experienced the disruption of family violence, homelessness and related issues.
Secondary consultation on a range of issues impacting on children experiencing homelessness and family violence.
Participation in case planning process.
Identify and facilitate training and professional development needs of SAAP workers.
Providing updated information to services relating to training, professional development and new local, regional, statewide and national initiatives.
Provision of information on resources available to children and families.
Development and maintenance of regional networks providing opportunities for workers to share information and experiences and enable access to ongoing professional development.
Development of tools to assist workers to improve the support provided to children and families.
Development of cross-sector links in the community including local council, education, health, family violence, child protection and early childhood services.
Raising awareness of the impact of homelessness on children within the SAAP sector and other related sectors.
Participation in local, regional and statewide networks and initiatives.
Develop worker tools.
Support the establishment and maintenance of children specific support groups.
Supporting and/or initiating regional research programs relating to children and families.
Documentation of best practice.
Participate in networks relevant to the needs of children experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Research issues through regular agency visits and data analysis.
Contact
Karen @ Colac Area Health
2-28 Connor Street, Colac 3250
Ph: 5232 5231
