A youth foyer at the Woden CIT campus will soon deliver supported accommodation for young people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Image: ACT Government.
Community services are evolving in NSW and the ACT. Where we once focussed on providing services at points of crisis and conflict – which we continue to do – we now understand the vital importance of early intervention.
The need to work with individuals, families and communities much earlier through early intervention reduces the likelihood of a crisis in the first instance.
Uniting is one of the largest providers of community services in NSW and the ACT, serving more than 145,000 people each year. We see first-hand how the communities we’re working with are being impacted by a range of pressures, including cost-of-living and economic hardships, limited access to essential services, social inequality, and systemic barriers that limit opportunity and wellbeing.
From our experience, one of the most effective measures the ACT Government can take to address entrenched disadvantage, and help its people and communities, is greater investment in early intervention services in the upcoming ACT Budget.
Uniting NSW.ACT recommends a 20 per cent annual funding increase for early intervention services, prioritising family preservation services, parenting support and navigation services that connect families to the right supports at the right time. This investment would help keep children safely with their families and reduce entries into out-of-home care.
We also believe a significant portion of this increased investment for early intervention services should be allocated for Aboriginal-led early intervention services, essential for ensuring culturally safe environments for First Nations communities.
Empowering Aboriginal leaders to design and lead these programs respects and integrates cultural values, building trust and engagement with families. This culturally grounded approach also strengthens community resilience and self-determination.
The role of youth coaches and other support systems is vital for young people transitioning from out-of-home care. The ACT Government, together with the Federal Government, will soon open a youth foyer at the Woden CIT campus to deliver supported accommodation for young people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.
Uniting operates a youth foyer in Sydney which exclusively focusses on young people with an experience of the out-of-home care system, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
We know young people leaving out-of-home care face significant challenges, so we call on the ACT Government to provide youth coaching to all young people aged 15 years and over in the child protection system.
Our experience shows providing a youth coach from age 15 can be significantly beneficial. Coaches offer tailored support, helping young people set their own achievable goals in housing, education and employment, while also enhancing health, social connections and overall wellbeing.
With greater collaboration between the ACT Government, Uniting and out-of-home care providers we can work to establish more of these kinds of enhanced supports for as many young people aged 15-21 leaving the out-of-home care system as possible. This will assist young people in proven ways to help them navigate the transition to adulthood and ultimately lead independent, successful lives.
Dr Andrew Montague is the Director of Communities at Uniting NSW.ACT. Uniting NSW.ACT contributes to the work of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. It provides services for all ages and stages of life, and drives solutions to systemic issues so those experiencing disadvantage can live their best lives. Its purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. Uniting NSW.ACT values diversity and always welcomes everyone exactly as they are.
