Our Waitara Family Centre

29 Yardley AvenueWAITARA NSW 2077P: (02) 9488 2400E: wfc@catholiccaredbb.org.auW: catholiccaredbb.org.au

SERVICES GUIDE

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About UsWe are the social care and support agency of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Broken Bay.

We assist children, young people and adults to live more enriched lives. We provide quality services that are tailored to your needs, taking into account your social and cultural background.

We provide:

Belonging to the larger network of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), we provide services to 26,000+ children, young people, individuals and families on the NSW Central Coast, Northern Sydney and the Northern Beaches, and have been doing so since 1987. We deliver around $38 million of care annually and provide services to the entire community.

CHILDREN’S SERVICES including early learning and long day care centres, out of school hours care, vacation care, family day care and in home care

DISABILITY SERVICES & NDIS SUPPORT

FAMILY CENTRES offering counselling, domestic and family violence support, family dispute resolution and mediation, parenting and relationship education and more

PERMANANCY SUPPORT PROGRAM (OUT OF HOME CARE)including foster care and residential care services

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY & PASTORAL CARE

EMERGENCY RELIEF... and much more.

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Our Waitara Family CentreOur Waitara Family Centre is located on Yardley Avenue in Waitara.

We provide the following services:

Child & Family SupportTARGETED EARLY INTERVENTION

Parenting can be a tough gig, and we all need a little support from time to time. This program aims to strengthen family relationships by providing home visits to families who are experiencing challenges with parenting. Families can refer themselves to our Centre if they would like to talk to a caseworker about child development or behaviour issues, feeling socially isolated, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, gambling, housing issues, childcare or other support issues. This is a free service.

INTENSIVE FAMILY PRESERVATION

This program is for families with children aged 0 - 18 years who have been identified as being at high risk of harm by the NSW Family & Community Services.

Families referred to this program receive intensive support from a specialist caseworker for 6 months. Caseworkers and families work together to develop safety action plans and work to reduce risks to children so that Family & Community Services can be assured children are safe and can remain at home. This program operates a 24/7 telephone support for families to assist them to implement change. Referrals to this program are received through Pennant Hills or Chatswood Community Service Centres.

We work with families from all cultural backgrounds. Please let us know if you would like an interpreter.

Domestic Violence Response Enhancement (DVRE)3

CatholicCare provides a range of services to assist women and children experiencing domestic and family violence including:

AFTER-HOURS RESPONSE & FOLLOW-UP CASEWORK SUPPORT

The Northern District DVRE team provides after-hours crisis support to women and children who have left a violent relationship, or who are wanting to leave. Our after-hours team is open 365 evenings a year and can assisting women and children with:

• Emergency accommodation• Face-to-face visits from our after-hours staff when it is safe for us to do so• Emotional and counselling supports• Practical items such as food, clothing, toiletries and baby items• Safety planning information and useful contacts• Interpreting and translating services• Follow-up support from a specialist domestic violence caseworker• Housing assistance and advocacy• Applying for AVO’s and court support• Access to specialist domestic violence services including counselling, groups and victim’s services• Help with visas and immigration referrals• Assistance with applying for payments• Support services for children.

The Northern District DVRE and after-hours support team provide short-term case management support during business hours for women and children if you want some extra help following an after-hours response.

4Domestic and family violence is any behaviour that’s used to gain or maintain power and control over someone else and comes in many forms – psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, financial, social and spiritual control, stalking and intimidation.

We help women and children leave domestic violence and build a strong support network and achieve safe and positive lives.

Any organisation can refer women wanting to leave a domestic violence relationship to our service. We also welcome women to call us directly if they would like our assistance.

Business hours: (02) 9488 2400 (Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm)After hours: (02) 9488 2580 (Monday to Sunday 5.00pm – 10.00pm)

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Emergency Relief6

We help individuals and families by providing immediate financial and/or material support to people in financial crisis. We offer one-off assistance including:

• Food parcels• Referral and vouchers to Hornsby Connect Food Bank• Food vouchers (subject to availability)• Opal cards (subject to availability)• Part-payment of utility bills• Referrals to other services including financial counselling, housing and

other family services.

Our aim is to help individuals and families with immediate relief, whilst also supporting you and your family to address financial stress with other support services.

Family & Relationship Counselling We provide a range of counselling and education services for the whole family. Our qualified team of therapists are here to support you, offering a safe and confidential space to talk.

Our team specialise in areas such as relationship education, parenting support, domestic and family violence, marriage preparation, complex trauma, counselling for children and young people, post-separation issues, mental health, emotion coaching and support for carers.

Family Law Counselling Supports individuals and families experiencing separation or divorce. We explore issues relating to the needs of children, executing parenting plans and providing therapeutic interventions for parents, children and young people. Our experienced therapists are trained in post separation issues. Family Law Counsellors can assist with information, referrals and advice so you and your family receive guidance through this challenging time.

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Family Dispute Resolution & Mediation8

Our family dispute resolution (FDR) services assist separating and divorcing couples and their children to resolve disputes without needing to take action in the Family Court. With the assistance of an impartial third party, family dispute resolution helps identify issues and together we develop a range of options and alternatives to address issues. We aim to reach a settlement that is suitable to all.

We deal with issues relating to children, parenting plans, contact with grandparents, blended family issues, parent and adolescent issues, communication breakdowns, relocation, passports, property and financial issues.

Family Day Care Family Day Care is a childcare service providing care and education for children from birth to 12 years of age. The care is provided in the home of a qualified and registered educator. Educators have been carefully selected. They are supervised by CatholicCare staff and operate under the Education and Care Services National Regulations.

Educators can care for up to 4 children under school age. The educator gives each child personal care and attention which is vital to help young children develop new skills and interests. The children also form friendships easily in a small group. Families using Family Day Care can claim government assistance with fees.

In Home Care In Home Care offers a childcare service in the family home. Families must meet specific criteria which includes shift work, disability or multiple preschool aged children. Families using In Home Care can claim government assistance with fees.

Parenting & Strengthening Families9

CIRCLE OF SECURITY ©

This 8 week program is for parents of children 0 – 5 years. It will help you understand your child’s behavior and help your child manage their emotions. You will develop more skills to build a positive relationship with your child and learn how to encourage their confidence and self-esteem.

INFANT MASSAGE ©

A four week course for pre-crawling babies up to 7 months. Helps parents understand baby’s development and crying cues. Parents will learn several massage techniques for babies.

MONEYMINDED ™

If you’re looking to create a budget, reduce your debt or save more regularly, MoneyMinded can help you get there. Developed by ANZ in consultation with community and government stakeholders and education experts, this program helps people manage their money better.

POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (TRIPLE P) SEMINAR ©

Addresses general parenting issues including why children behave in certain ways and what they best respond to, how to deal decisively and effectively with aggression, non-cooperation and disobedience, how to recognise and manage sadness and anxiety and how to manage difficulties with separation and mixing with other children.

POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (TRIPLE P) CONTINUING GROUP PROGRAM ©

Builds on the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) seminar detailed above. This group program helps you develop and practice the skills.

10TUNING INTO KIDS ™

Children who develop emotional intelligence will do better emotionally and socially. They also have better health and more positive behaviours. Learn skills to assist your child to understand and manage their emotions. Explore new ways to deal with frustrating behaviours and conflict and help your child develop good social skills and positive behaviour.

TUNING INTO TEENS ™

Understand how adolescents develop and how to more positively guide your teen’s increasing independence. Learn how to deal with peer pressure and how to create opportunities for connection.

WRAPPED IN ANGELS

Helps children and adults who have experienced trauma and abuse. The group is a unique journey of rediscovery and recovery that explores our lives. It involves creating a blanket – a representation of love, protection, warmth and safety.

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ART THERAPY

Uses art to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words. A supportive environment where the process of making art helps explore issues in creative ways. No artistic skills are required.

FOCCUS ©

A pre-marriage education program which helps couples learn more about themselves and their relationship. Couples respond individually to a survey exploring topics such as communication, dual careers, extended family, finances, friends and interests, intimacy, parenting, problem-solving and more. These responses are then compared, with areas of strengths and areas for growth highlighted and discussed in feedback sessions with an accredited Relationship Educator.

PREPARE ENRICH ©

This marriage preparation program has been helping couples strengthen their relationships for over 30 years! Available in both religious and non-religious formats, the main component of the program is an online survey which identifies the unique strengths and potential growth areas in your relationship. You’ll meet with a facilitator trained to provide feedback by helping you understand your results and you’ll learn new relationship skills.

SEASONS FOR GROWTH ®

Everyone experiences loss and change at some time in their lives. It may be death, separation, divorce, loss of home, job, dreams or lifestyle. This program provides an opportunity for adults to think about and understand their own loss experiences. You’ll be supported through presentations to reflect, and learn skills to help you better cope with the journey through grief.

Building & Strengthening Relationships

12SEASONS FOR GROWTH - KIDS ®

Helps children and young people deal with grief and loss. It uses the four seasons to explain the process people go through when they are grieving.

WOMEN OF STRENGTH

An 8 week support group for women who have experienced an abusive relationship. Women learn about the dynamics of an abusive relationship, how to improve their self-esteem, reduce self-blame and explore options for the future. You will meet other women in a similar situation.

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KEEPING KIDS IN MIND ©

Parents love their children and want the best for them. Following separation, parenting can get tougher. This is a 5 week course for separated parents who are experiencing ongoing conflict. It is designed to assist parents to see separation through their children’s eyes and provides tips on how best to support children through separation.

POSITIVESTEP – STEPFAMILIES PROGRAM

Educates and supports parents to transition from their current family to a new stepfamily. Our therapists will cover areas such as relationship dynamics, stepfamily stages, negativity and conflict, roles, responsibilities and expectations, the X Factor, grief and loss, how to effectively manage extreme feelings, children’s needs and safeguarding your couple relationship. The program is run over 2 days within a small supportive group environment.

RIDDLE - POST SEPARATION CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Children have a challenging time when the people they love the most are no longer living together due to divorce or separation. Riddle supports children to process and understand their changing worlds. Our therapists guide children to understand their feelings, learn strategies to help with strong emotions, learn how to navigate going between two homes and discover strengths they can utilise to comfort and support themselves through this difficult time. The program is run in a small group environment where children can connect with others through group sharing, art, craft and play.

Changing Families

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Lindara Family ProgramThe focus of this program is to provide support and information to families (with children under 18 years of age) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Some families will be residing in a refuge and others in temporary accommodation within the Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai and Ryde/Hunters Hill Local Government areas.

Assistance is offered to families impacted by domestic and family violence, financial difficulties, mental health, drug and alcohol issues, living in unsafe conditions and more.

The Lindara Family Program sits within the Specialist Homelessness Services team based at the Waitara Family Centre.

This program is proudly sponsored by East Killara Uniting Church, Lindfield Uniting Church (comprising the merged congregations of St. David’s and Tryon Road), Killara Five Ways Uniting Church, Gordon Uniting Church and Pymble Uniting Church.

PlaygroupsOur playgroups help children to explore and learn, and provide a place for parents to socialise and discuss their children’s development with a qualified worker. Playgroups help children improve their social, motor and language skills in a safe, fun environment. Please contact our Centre for dates and times.

Waitara Early Learning & Care CentreOur Waitara Early Learning & Care Centre offers a warm, friendly, nurturing environment where all children feel safe, secure and supported. We are a 67 place centre, open for 50 weeks of the year, educating and caring for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Opening hours are from 7.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The Waitara ELCC provides a high quality curriculum that maximises learning potential, through the implementation of play based learning, utilising the Early Years Learning Framework. We have experienced, long serving educators guiding the children to build the skills and knowledge necessary to make a smooth transition to primary school.

Enrolments are welcomed from all members of the community.

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Specialist Homelessness Services We help people at risk of becoming homeless to stay securely housed, and those who are homeless to find and keep a home.

We work with you to prevent homelessness and provide support. Our specialist program works with Department of Housing, Community Housing and other services such as drug and alcohol, domestic violence and mental health programs.

Our focus is on people in our community who are most at risk of becoming homeless or who are currently homeless.

There are lots of reasons people become homeless such as:

• Domestic and family violence• Financial difficulties • Mental health • Drug and alcohol issues• Living in unsafe conditions ... and more.

OUR ROLE

• Early intervention and prevention • Providing transitional accommodation and supporting people to find

more long-term, stable accommodation• Working with individuals and families to sustain an existing tenancy• Providing practical, emotional and financial assistance• Providing information, referrals and access to other services• Providing support to find and keep a job.

WHAT WE OFFER

• General support and living skills• Financial and employment referrals • Referrals to support services such as counselling, mental health, drug

and alcohol, legal and court support• Support to obtain, or maintain, medium and long-term housing.

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Head Office

CatholicCare Diocese of Broken BayCaroline Chisholm CentreLevel 7, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills RoadPENNANT HILLS NSW 2120PO Box 966PENNANT HILLS NSW 1715P: (02) 9481 2600E: info@catholiccaredbb.org.auW: www.catholiccaredbb.org.au

© CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay, April 2018