NSW MINISTER for Family and Community Services Pru Goward has given UnitingCare Burnside almost $6 million to stop kids running amok in Dubbo, Parkes and Orange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
UnitingCare Burnside teams will receive and assess referrals from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services before calling on the expertise of other government agencies and departments to help children and teenagers considered vulnerable because of neglect, homelessness, domestic violence or drug and alcohol abuse.
The "wraparound service" for nine to 15-year-olds will not be operated on a one-size-fits-all basis with early intervention tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
In the year from July 2012 there were more than 1600 "risk of significant harm" reports received by the department about children in that age bracket, living in Dubbo, Orange and Parkes.
State Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has welcomed Western NSW's $5.65 million share of the $40 million Youth Hope program, an initiative of the minister based on evidence of its success overseas.
He said the government was taking a "fresh approach" working with the non-government sector in a program which would "help vulnerable young people to turn their lives around and break disadvantage" by making it possible for them to stay in school or training.
Mr Grant is hopeful that collaboration between human services agencies and UnitingCare Burnside will stamp out the "silo mentality" that permits young people to "fall through the gaps".
UnitingCare Burnside operations manager Orana Far West, Susan Moffett, said "being able to work with other organisations and working in partnership" was a standout feature of the program.
"This holistic approach will enable the young people we work with and their families to become more resourceful, with parents better able to meet the needs of their children," she said.
"Our program will aim to build healthy relationships and encourage resilience."
Ms Moffett said UnitingCare Burnside welcomed Youth Hope's strong focus on working with Aboriginal communities and "improving the outcomes for Aboriginal young people".
The four-year program will be trailed in six regions of NSW, beginning with Western NSW.
Rigorous evaluation is being promised by the state government to ensure it is effective in delivering "improved outcomes for children, young people and their families through improved parenting and family functioning and increased engagement with education".
The success of the program will be measured in reductions in the rate of participating children and young people being reported to Family and Community Services or entering out-of-home care.
