Child, Youth and Family

Our Family Preservation services helps to keep families together. The primary aim of Family Preservation is to keep a child or young person safe within their family by reducing risk and safety concerns, so they can experience healthy and positive development.

Every family is different and Family Preservation PIP varies its services to provide for individual needs. Services are delivered for up to 12 months and each family receives ongoing support from a caseworker. Services include:

• Case management
• Family and parent support
• Therapeutic support
• Child-focused support

This program is available at Taree, Gloucester, Foster and surrounds.

Who we help

Brighter Futures is an early intervention program that helps families with children who are at high risk of entering or escalating within the child protection system.

Eligibility

• At least one child (unborn – 17 years old) who is the subject of a current Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH) report
• SARA is not mandatory, and if the SARA is applied, the safety outcome of ‘safe’ and a risk outcome of low, moderate or high.

How to access this service

Community or self-referral to the program can be made by completing the referral form and emailing to familypreservationpip@catholiccare.org.au

CatholicCare's Targeted Earlier Intervention program (TEI) offers a range of services and supports for young people and their families in Maitland, Dungog and Gloucester including: 

• Casework
• Counselling
• Parenting support 
• Tailored skill development and group programs in schools.

Who we help

The service supports young people aged 12 to 17 and their families experiencing vulnerability that impacts wellbeing and safety.

The program tailors support to individual family circumstances, addressing needs early to prevent escalation and increase the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable young people. The program strives to support young peoples’ continued connection with their family, community, education and employment so they can lead independent and meaningful lives.

For more information please click here.

How to access this service

Referral to the program can be made by filling out our referral form or contacting:

CatholicCare Maitland Office on (02) 4015 2800 or email: youthandfamily@catholiccare.org.au

CatholicCare Gloucester Office on (02) 6558 1777 or email: gloucesteryouthandparenting@catholiccare.org.au

CatholicCare offers a Supported Independent Living program (SIL) for 16 and 17-year-olds who are moving into adulthood and ready to become a part of the community.

We help these young people on their journey to independence through providing:

• Case management
• Accommodation
• Development life skills such as housekeeping, budgeting, education, employment assistance, and building healthy relationships, for up to 24 months.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met to be eligible for the SIL program:

• 16-17 years of age at entry
• Assessed as having low or medium needs (CAT)
• In the statutory PSP, exiting PSP to live independently, or have left a PSP placement but require further support to successfully transition to independence
• Assessed by Child and Family District Unit (CFDU) as having the capacity to be placed in SIL and will have the capacity to live independently after a period of tailored support.

How to access this service

Referrals can only be made through CFDU via DCJ. Children and young people referred must not require therapeutic care.

For more information, contact HCC.NGOsupport@facs.nsw.gov.au.

Rent Choice Youth

CatholicCare is a Rent Choice Youth provider.

Rent Choice Youth is a program that supports young people aged between 16 and 24 to find a place to live.
It can help you to:

• find a place to live (in a private rental unit, flat or home)
• get approved for a lease
• subsidise the rent for up to 3 years
• stay in a current rental if it’s affordable and help is needed to pay the rent

You will also be linked with a support worker who will help you make and work towards study or job goals. This will eventually help you to afford the rent on your own.

For more information about how you can access Rent Choice Youth, contact us on 4969 1120.

Aftercare aims to assist young people transitioning out of the Permanency Support Program into independent living.

CatholicCare’s Aftercare caseworker can help with:

• Transitioning into suitable living arrangements
• Developing pre-employment skills and finding employment
• Re-connecting with family and culture
• Building community connection and participation
• Developing and improving independent living skills
• Reviewing and amending their leaving care plan if required

Eligibility

This program is available to people aged 18-25 who are moving out of the Permanency Support Program.

How to access this service

If you require support, please complete our online referral form and email to aftercare@catholiccare.org.au, or phone 4979 1120.

You can also contact the Department of Communities and Justice Care Leaver Line on 1800 994 686 or email CareleaversLine@facs.nsw.gov.au