Annual Report 2012 - Lifeline Darling Downs

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Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd 2012 Annual Report Toowoomba Family Intervention Service (FIS) by Jeanie MacDiarmid, Senior Practitioner Cluster 1 & Kate Greener, Manager State Funding The Toowoomba Family Intervention Service supports families who are subject to statutory intervention by the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services). The principal aims of the service are (1) to preserve families where a child remains living at home under the ongoing intervention and monitoring of Child Safety Services; and (2) assist in the reunification of the child with their family from an out-of-home care placement where it is determined to be in the best interest of the child. This program is funded by the Department of Communities. The Team There have been several changes in staff for the Toowoomba Family Intervention Service over the last 12 months. Jeanie MacDiarmid commenced as the Senior Practitioner Cluster 1 on the 5 th September 2011. At that time, the Toowoomba Family Intervention Team consisted of Kylie Fordyce and Jodie Jackson. In January 2012, a part-time (2 days a week) staff member, Asha Honeysett, commenced with the program. Asha has also been recruited to assist in the development of a Model of Practice for the Family Intervention Service. In May 2012, Jodie Jackson resigned her position to re-locate to Brisbane. At the time of writing, interviews are being conducted to recruit staff for the program. Achievements The Senior Practitioner has conducted a complete review of all processes and forms pertaining to this program and has devised up-to-date forms and processes for use in this program. Staff of FIS have also undertaken several relevant professional development courses and workshops, including training in the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale and the Bringing Up Great Kids parenting program, because of these trainings staff have up to date skills which they will use to support the clients. The program has worked with a total of 24 families during this period with successful outcomes for 13 of those families. Challenges One of the greatest challenges for FIS staff is to engage the families in a meaningful way. All of the program referrals come from Child Safety Services and client families are often reluctant to engage with the service as it is often seen as an extension of Child Safety Services. It is therefore very important that staff have the ability to build trusting relationships, based on openness and honesty, very quickly. Research has shown that this is more easily done by working with the family in their own home so all therapeutic work is carried out in the family home. The ability to build trusting relationships quickly will always be a challenge for any family intervention service. Future directions The Toowoomba Family Intervention Service has received funding for another three years. Consideration has been given to the possibility of conducting 12 week parenting programs with client families. Continuous review of program processes and structure is also planned. 58 63
64 Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd 2012 Annual Report When the program moves to the new building there will also be the option of conducting observations of family interactions within a contained environment for families undergoing possible reunification. 59
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2 bOARD OF DIREcTORS 1 OcTObER 2011
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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Whole of O
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6 Community Resilience Gavin Quinn
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8 Chairman's Report Lifeline Darlin
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Annual Report 2012 - Lifeline Darling Downs

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