N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L R E P O R T S

 

Community Services Reference Group Report CS04 - 14 July 2014

Attachments: 1. FACS - GHSH Fact Sheet

2. Phoenix House 2013 Annual Report SUBJECT: Going Home Staying Home (GHSH) reforms - impact on local refuges AUTHOR: Martin Ellis, Director, Community and Library Services ENDORSED BY: Warwick Winn, General Manager EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Results of the tenders for Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) under the GHSH reforms were announced on Friday 13 June 2014, resulting in Taldumande (with Mission Australia) being nominated as the preferred provider for the entire Northern Sydney Region, leaving Phoenix House who manage three tenancies in a Council owned refuge unfunded beyond September 2014. The lease is current and the term is 1/7/2011 - 30/06/2016. At its meeting on 23 June 2014 Council (Min No. 206) resolved, in part: THAT a report be prepared regarding current funding shortfalls and impact on levels of service so that Council may formulate its policy position on this matter. In brief, Phoenix House will lose approximately 90% ($900,000) of its income in State Government Funding, making its continued operation problematic. Its Board is meeting to consider its future. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Financial implications are referred to in the report RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT Council continues engaging with Phoenix House to explore how it can support the model they have championed so successfully in Northern Sydney 2. THAT Council notes the role played by the leases over its two properties serving as refuges and resolves to utilize them so as to keep services local. 3. THAT Council receives more information on the future of Delvena’s Women’s Refuge.

Report of Martin Ellis, Director Community and Library Services Re: Going Home Staying Home (GHSH) reforms - impact on local refuges

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LINK TO DELIVERY PROGRAM The relationship with the Delivery Program is as follows: Direction: 4. Our Social Vitality Outcome: 4.9 Enhanced community safety and accessibility 4.8 Enhanced community facilities, information and services BACKGROUND Results of the tenders for Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) under the GHSH reforms were announced by the Hon Gabrielle Upton Minister for the Department of Family and Community Services on Friday 13 June 2014, resulting in Taldumande (with Mission Australia) being nominated as the preferred provider for the entire Northern Sydney Region, Phoenix House has been effectively defunded from September 2014. Council is a part owner (large minority) of both properties. Phoenix House lease is current until June 2016, Taldumande’s has been approved by Council and is waiting to be signed. At its meeting on 23 June 2014 Council resolved (Min No. 206): THAT a report be prepared regarding current funding shortfalls and impact on levels of service so that Council may formulate its policy position on this matter. THAT Council write to The Premier The Hon Mike Baird MP, The Hon Gabrielle Upton MP Minister for Family and Community Services, the Hon Jillian Skinner MP Minister for Health and Member for North Shore, the Hon Joe Hockey MP Treasurer and Member for North Sydney indicating its support of the outstanding work of Phoenix House and the Burdekin Association and indicating its strong support for Youth Homelessness support services to continue to be provided by these organisations into the future. THAT Council notes the irreplaceable service offered to our community by Delvena Women’s Refuge and commends it to the Government for ongoing funding in its current form. CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS Community engagement is not required. SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT This report deals with (draft) State Government Legislation/Policy which may have a substantial effect on sustainability. DETAILS Local Refuges It is considered that both Taldumande and Phoenix House are outstanding local services with

Report of Martin Ellis, Director Community and Library Services Re: Going Home Staying Home (GHSH) reforms - impact on local refuges

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highly successful models of responding to youth homelessness. Both are in properties leased for a peppercorn rent and which Council shares ownership with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation, Council’s share being 44.4% and 41.3 % respectively. It has not been possible to ascertain the status of our local women’s refuge Delvena’s, at the time of writing. Delvena is one of only two specialist women’s refuges remaining in Northern Sydney. The future of the other, Bringa Women’s Refuge on the Northern Beaches, is also under a cloud. Going Home Staying Home The results of the Tender process have been finalized, and are provided with this report. Council is not privy to the contracts nor to the submissions and staff are gathering information from several sources. Council staff have had no direct experience of working with Mission Australia. It is notable however that three Mission Australia (or where Mission Australia has partnered) refuges in Northern Sydney (Clifton Lodge, Vera Loblay House and Radio House) have been closed in recent years with funding directed elsewhere. Council is in receipt of correspondence from Pittwater Council who note: Of the 140 Service Packages developed under the new system only 18 appear to support specific services supporting women and children escaping domestic violence. There are currently approximately 50 funded women's refuges in NSW and the majority of these could cease to either operate or no longer be able to solely focus on the needs of women and children fleeing domestic violence as of the 1't July this year. Interestingly in the Hunter/New England District there are 5 Service Packages specific to women and children escaping domestic violence. Worryingly there are no specific Service Packages in 6 of the l5 Districts specifically targeting services for women and children fleeing domestic violence including our own Northern Sydney District. Principal Concerns for North Sydney

1. Loss of Phoenix House’s model of supporting homeless youth through refuge, gaining qualifications and independent living. (The danger is this is replaced by short term refuge stay).

2. Reallocation of resources by a larger organisation with a wider responsibility (Mission Australia) out of North Sydney and surrounds.

3. Loss of specialist women’s only refuge at Lane Cove 4. Loss of Burdekin Association (while not an active player in North Sydney they are

potentially so having made a submission to the GHSH reforms in partnership with Link Housing and Phoenix House)

Recommended Actions

1. Await the results of Phoenix House’s Board’s deliberations on its future and respond as necessary.

2. Utilise Council’s part ownership of the two refuges as leverage to keep services local 3. Open dialogue with Delvena’s Women’s Refuge to determine how best to support

continuance of their model.

Going Home Staying Home: SHS Tender outcomes – Northern Sydney District – June 2014 1

Fact Sheet June 2014

GOING HOME STAYING HOME SHS Tender Outcomes Northern Sydney District This fact sheet provides an overview of the Going H ome Staying (GHSH) reform of Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in NSW and of the new s ervices for the Northern Sydney District.

Going Home Staying Home The Going Home Staying Home reforms will increase the focus on early intervention so people access the right support when they need it and before they reach a crisis point. It will make it easier for people to get help through a “no wrong door” approach and ensure services are provided where they are needed most. Under the reforms, the total budget for specialist homelessness services delivered by non-government organisations in NSW will grow from $135 million in 2013–14 to $148 million in 2014–15. There will be a total of 149 new specialist homelessness services across NSW that build on current good practice and innovation at the local level. There will still be specialist service delivery in the new system. The service packages will deliver tailored responses to the specific needs of different client groups such as single women or women with children who are escaping domestic and family violence, and young people. Service providers will have the expertise or will develop appropriate responses to meet the specific needs of these and other client groups. Going Home Staying Home builds on solid evidence and extensive consultation to develop a new service system that puts more effort into helping people before they become homeless to keep them housed. Under this new system, people who do become homeless will be rehoused as quickly as possible or supported in crisis or transitional accommodation until they can be safely housed or reconnected with family. The new system puts a stronger focus on continuing to support people after their crisis has been resolved so they don’t become homeless again. The number of people assisted under the new homelessness service system will remain constant and the profile of the client population will be improved to reflect contemporary needs and an emphasis on early intervention. The new services will continue to be provided to young people, women, men, and families. The new service system will continue to focus effort on people in the community known to be most at risk of homelessness, for example, women experiencing domestic and family violence, rough sleepers, young people leaving care, people with mental health issues, and people living in unsafe conditions.

New service packages for the Northern Sydney Distri ct The Northern Sydney District will receive $6.90 million per annum for five service packages. This reflects an increase of $1.01 million or 17% from the 2013–14 SHS budget. In the Northern Sydney District, the service packages will support approximately 1,892 clients each year who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. New services will support all of the SHS target client groups, including, young people, men, women, and families. There will also be a strong focus on

Going Home Staying Home: SHS Tender outcomes – Northern Sydney District – June 2014 2

Fact Sheet June 2014

services to Aboriginal people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are homeless or at risk or homelessness. Table 1 shows the number of clients that will be supported in each client target group in the Northern Sydney District for the contracting period 2014–2017.

Table 1: Northern Sydney District – Total number of SHS clients by client groups (2014–2017) 1

Client group 2014–2017 Projected annual

Young people 784 41.5%

Men 326 17.2%

Women 326 17.2%

Families 456 24.1%

Total 1,892 100.0%

The preferred providers for the new services supporting clients in the electorates are in the following table. These non-government organisations demonstrated through a competitive tender process their strong capability and capacity to provide the most effective services for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The preferred providers bring significant experience, resources and value for money to these communities.

1 Source: Sum of Case Mix, NSW SHS Program Service Descriptions 2014

Going Home Staying Home: SHS Tender outcomes – Northern Sydney District – June 2014 3

Preferred SHS Providers – Northern Sydney District

Service package title LGA Electorate Clients Budget Preferred Provider

Northern Sydney West - Youth Homelessness Solutions

Ryde Hunters Hill Ku-ring-gai Hornsby

Castle Hill Davidson Epping Hawkesbury Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove Ryde

Young people

$1,000,000 Lead agency: Mission Australia Partner: Taldumande Youth Services

This Service focuses on young people who are under 25 years of age at imminent risk of homelessness and young people under 21 years who are homeless. It will intervene early to prevent homelessness, provide supported crisis accommodation, transitional accommodation and help to rapidly rehouse young people who are ready for independent living. The Service will also provide post crisis support to help young people to sustain their long term housing. The Service will provide targeted strategies for young people experiencing mental health issues, young people exiting Out of Home Care and prison, those with complex needs, those involved in drug and alcohol misuse, Aboriginal young people, and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Northern Sydney East - Youth Homelessness Solutions

Lane Cove Manly Mosman North Sydney Pittwater Warringah Willoughby

Davidson Lane Cove Manly North Shore Pittwater Wakehurst Willoughby

Young people

$1,800,000 Lead agency: Taldumande Youth Services Partner: Mission Australia

This Service focuses on young people who are under 25 years of age at imminent risk of homelessness and young people under 21 years who are homeless. It will intervene early to prevent homelessness, provide supported crisis accommodation, transitional accommodation and help to rapidly rehouse young people who are ready for independent living. The Service will also provide post crisis support to help young people to sustain their long term housing. The Service will provide targeted strategies for young people experiencing mental health issues, young people exiting Out of Home Care and prison, those with complex needs, those involved in drug and alcohol misuse, Aboriginal young people, and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Northern Sydney Homelessness Support Service - Ryde and Upper North Shore

Hornsby Hunters Hill Ku-ring-gai Ryde

Castle Hill Davidson Epping Hawkesbury Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove Ryde

Women Men

Families

$1,360,000 CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay

This Service will support single men and women as well as families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. The Service will provide holistic homelessness services including supported crisis and transitional accommodation while homeless people are supported to secure long term accommodation. The Service will rapidly rehouse men, women and families and once housed, provide post crisis support and follow-up to help prevent those individuals and families from becoming homeless again. The Service will also target Aboriginal people, clients with mental health and/or alcohol and other drug issues, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Northern Sydney Homelessness Support Service - Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches

Lane Cove Manly Mosman North Sydney Pittwater Warringah Willoughby

Davidson Lane Cove Manly North Shore Pittwater Wakehurst Willoughby

Women Men

Families

$1,500,000 Lead agency: Mission Australia Partner: Manly Warringah Women's Resource Centre Ltd

Going Home Staying Home: SHS Tender outcomes – Northern Sydney District – June 2014 4

Service package title LGA Electorate Clients Budget Preferred Provider

This Service will support single men and women as well as families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. The Service will provide holistic homelessness services including supported crisis and transitional accommodation while homeless people are supported to secure long term accommodation. The Service will rapidly rehouse men, women and families and once housed, provide post crisis support and follow-up to help prevent those individuals and families from becoming homeless again. The Service will also target Aboriginal people, clients with mental health and/or alcohol and other drug issues, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Northern Sydney District Homelessness Early Intervention and Prevention Service

Hornsby, Hunters Hill Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove Manly Mosman North Sydney Pittwater Ryde City Warringah Willoughby

Castle Hill Davidson Epping Hawkesbury Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove Manly North Shore Pittwater Ryde Wakehurst Willoughby

Young people Men

Women Families

$1,000,000 Lead agency: Mission Australia Partners: 1. Domestic Violence NSW Service Management 2. Ryde Family Support Services Inc.

This Service will intervene early to prevent homelessness and provide support to tenants at risk of homelessness by addressing the issues that are placing their tenancies at risk. The Service will partner with ‘first to know’ services to help identify people at risk of homelessness, as early as possible, and provide flexible and practical assistance, support, case management and brokerage to help tenants keep their tenancies. The Service will also work with people residing in unsustainable and unsafe accommodation and assists them in finding suitable long term accommodation. The Service will also target Aboriginal people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Phoenix House

Youth Services Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

2012 - 2013

Our

Organisation

PATRON The Hon Joe Hockey MP

Member for North Sydney

Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairperson Jeff Crumpton

Secretary Coral Garratt

Treasurer Vida Istenic

Public Officer Richard Dynon

Board Members Oisin Friel

Phil Burfurd

STAFF TEAM

Chief Executive Officer Mary Biddle

Operations Manager Jon Brew

Specialist Programs Coordinator Breanna Pollock/Christine Duggan

Youth Development Peta Steel

Specialists Amber Thompson

Nathan Williams

Mishae Bailitis

Vikki Radford

Counsellors Lisa Chapman

Deb Stirrat

Finance Officer Virginia Ienco

Administration Julie Dunn

Phoenix House Youth Services Inc. 10 Holtermann Street

Crows Nest NSW 2065

Phone: 02 9437 0077 Fax: 02 9437 0148

Website: www.phoenixhouse.org.au Email: admin@phoenixhouse.org.au

ABN: 75 019 767 380 Registered Charity: CFN 21719

Phoenix House is a Public Benevolent Institution with charitable status. All

financial donations are tax deductible.

Chairperson’s & Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Phoenix House Youth Services has had a very busy year; welcoming new Directors to our

Board, growing our relationships with members of our Northern Sydney business community

and supporting the growth and development of our youth ambassadors. We have also been

implementing change in response to the results of our Research Paper and assisting the

State Government’s “Going Home Staying Home” reforms to Specialist Homelessness

Services.

We received much external recognition for our endeavours, when the local federal member

and now Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey, agreed to become our Patron. We celebrated this

milestone in June with a very well attended function at the Kirribilli Club. There Joe delivered

a very inspiring and heartfelt speech which resonated well with the audience, particularly our

youth ambassadors. The Phoenix youth then recounted their personal journeys, showing

resilience and growth that amazed the audience. The Joe Hockey luncheon was supported

by Crows Nest Rotary and local Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating our improving links

with the local business community.

This year Mary, our CEO, has co-chaired the ‘Yfoundations’ Board through what are very

uncertain times for this homelessness youth peak body. Jon Brew our Operations Manager

has once again taken on the Chairperson position at ‘Youth Action’, another NSW peak

body. Much time and effort have gone into influencing the reform process and emphasising

the dire needs of young people who have been notified under ‘Risk of Significant Harm’.

Both organisations work tirelessly for improved service delivery for Australia’s at risk young

people.

This year staff have supported the development of the Alumni Group of Phoenix House. This

group has become more cohesive and focused in wanting to raise awareness about issues

surrounding youth homelessness. They are doing this by talking to interested groups about

the pathways they have taken to Phoenix House and our effectiveness in meeting their

needs. These youth ambassadors are the backbone of our efforts to raise awareness of the

service across the northern region.

In response to our Research Paper which clearly showed the needs of families with at risk

young people, we are developing an “Early Intervention Program”. We are doing this by

building our relationships with the local schools and others such as GP’s, who are the

groups most likely to see the early signs of potential family breakdown. They will then be

able to refer these families to our preventive services including adolescent case

management, adolescent and family counselling and therapeutic groupwork. This project will

also be conducted in partnership with sister services in our area and Northern Sydney

interagencies. In the projects initial stages, we are working closely with the Northern Area

Command Police. This is through presentations to the local Police and at a Police and

Principal’s Meeting about the early indicators of youth homelessness and how best to

indentify and address their needs.

Phoenix House is very well located for access to specialist health and well being services,

employment and educational facilities. These enable us to provide wrap around programs

that enable our young people to fully realise their developmental growth and build the skills

that will give them the best opportunity in life. Throughout this year we have formed a

partnership with Burdekin and Taldumande, known as the ‘Northern Youth Services Alliance’

which will further enhance this service delivery.

For over 25 years Phoenix House has had a clear framework for service delivery and

practice that provides positive growth and desirable outcomes for homeless and/or at risk

young people and their families. We will continue to address their developmental needs and

build better relationships in their lives, with a therapeutic framework that understands the

disruption caused by trauma and the importance of a sense of connectiveness, so that they

become part of the Phoenix family.

Jeff Crumpton Mary Biddle

Chairperson CEO

Our

Activities

Housing

Phoenix House Youth Services provides accommodation for up to 22 young people aged 17

to 22 years who need supported, affordable and safe housing. Phoenix House is a

significant provider of housing and support to young people in the Northern Sydney region

and is funded through the Specialist Homelessness Services program (SHS). Phoenix

House is registered as a Class 4 community housing provider under the Housing Act 2001

(NSW).

Accommodation is provided to tenants in:

4 x 3-bedroom houses

1 x 4-bedroom house

6 x 1-bedroom units

Central to our work is to engage with the young people in our housing program. To engage

means to form a connection, a relationship with the young person that provides them with a

sense of belonging, a feeling of being part of a whole.

Our systems and methods used are supportive, accepting and welcoming, whilst remaining

flexible, adaptable and open to hearing what the client needs. The residents meet weekly

with their Youth Development Specialist to establish a relationship which assists the client to

develop personal goals and a working support plan to meet those goals. A review of the

support plan is carried out regularly to identify achievements, set new priorities, identify

barriers and ways to overcome them and identilfy new goals to meet any additional needs.

In 2012/2013, 106 young people referred for accommodation and support (44% female, 56%

male. 58% were from young people residing in Northern Sydney local government areas.

Our referral waiting lists were often full as demand outweighed supply and we were only able

to accommodate 13% of the referrals received for accommodation. Outreach support is

offered to those young people who we are not able to accommodate and who are not in

receipt of assistance from any other service.

During the year we provided accommodation for 35 young people (16 male, 19 female). 14

new clients moved into our supported accommodation programs and 17 moved out. The

occupancy rate for the year was 83% and the average length of stay for clients increased.

0

5

10

15

20

2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

Total number of tenancies

Male

Female

25%

17%

41%

Accommodation before entry

Couchsurfing

No Fixed Address

Youth accommodation service

Hospital

12%

19%

50%

6%

13%

Accommodation on Exit

Family

Youth accommodation service

Private rental

Public Housing

Rehab service

Ongoing maintenance and furnishing of the properties is an expensive cost for Phoenix

House. North Sydney Leagues Club and North Sydney Council provided funding towards a

new kitchen for one of our transitional support houses. Chatswood RSL and Crows Nest

Rotary provided grants for our Home Improvement Project to assist in the purchasing and

upgrade of household items in our properties.

63% 10%

7%

10%

10%

Main activity of young people housed

Study

Study/employment

F/T employment

P/T or casual employment

Jobseeker

50% 50%

Gender of clients

Female

Male

1%

36%

44%

16%

3%

Age of clients

12- 14 years

15 - 17 years

18 - 20 years

21 - 24 years

25+ years

RAGE Programs

The Resourcing Adolescents Gaining Essentials (RAGE) Project provides support and

assistance to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness aged 12-24,

including those with drug and alcohol issues. The project extends specific brokerage and

specialist Case Management services to assist young people in breaking the cycle of

homelessness and secure a stable living environment. The RAGE Project fulfils this in a

number of ways such as information and referral, advocacy, programs and brokerage

assistance for a range of issues affecting young people including: income support;

accommodation; education and training; employment; legal matters; health; alcohol and

other drugs and assistance to obtain government allowances. The Rage Project is funded by

the NSW Department of Family and Community Services through the 'Getting It Together

Scheme' as well as the Specialist Homelessness Services program. The program is able to

be committed yet flexible in its approach to Case Management which has proven to best

support the needs of transient young people with complex issues.

RAGE Brokerage

The RAGE program continues to support young people through brokerage. This important

financial assistance includes food vouchers, travel passes to attend employment and

educational activities, funding vocational training such as coffee school, RSA certificate, and

white card certificate (essential for construction work); interview and work clothing, and other

necessities such as prescription glasses. This has proved to be an invaluable resource to

young people facing challenging times. The modest financial assistance offered has

supported many young people to overcome socio-economic barriers and achieve financial

independence.

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Advocacy/Advice Transport

Legal Support Health

Recreation Meals

Employment/Training Education

Living Skills Alcohol and Other Drug Support

Financial/Brokerage Support Accommodation Support

Relationship/Family Support Counselling Support

Other Support

RAGE supports provided

Collaborative Projects and Events

A large focus of programs for this financial year was strengthening and developing

relationships with other services and agencies in the community. This is evident with several

joint events and projects that were completed.

Homeless Persons Week

Homeless Persons Week is an annual week of recognition of homelessness in Australia.

This year we held an event with the Harbourside Local Area Command with the NSW Police

Force. We had a BBQ at Phoenix House which was well attended.

Shorefest

Shorefest is a music event organised via the Lower North Shore Youth Interagency for local

youth to showcase bands and have a fun drug and alcohol free day. We took the

opportunity this year to increase awareness of Phoenix House by having a stand at the

festival and doing a community assessment via a survey of 152 local youth about what

additional support services they would like in the Lower North Shore. This information has

been used as a guideline for programs that have been created this year.

Crows Nest TAFE Outreach

Crows Nest TAFE Outreach provides education programs for young people who have

disengaged from education and employment in the Lower North Shore which is the exact

target group of the RAGE program. Phoenix House has visited all of the individual programs

at TAFE over the first six months of 2013 to speak with the young people about the services

that we offer and how we can work in conjunction with TAFE to support them to progress in

their lives. The visits will continue into the new financial year with a goal of offering

additional therapeutic classroom support to the TAFE programs.

Streetwork

RAGE has continued to support the Streetwork service in Chatswood with brokerage funding

and program financial support. The funds from Phoenix House supported the Urban Art

Program this year. The aim of this program is to deter young people from illegal graffiti and

equip them with artistic skills that are beneficial to the wider community.

Specialist Programs

All programs are open to young people in the community. We broadened our advertising

this year to include Job Networks, Centrelink, Schools, Police and PCYC and Local

Councils, to name a few. Not only has this approach increased the amount of young people

who were able to access our programs, it has also increased awareness of Phoenix House

within our local community.

FeelGood Nights

Supported through funding from North Sydney Council and Willoughby Council

The FeelGood Night program is run every 6 weeks throughout the year as an opportunity for

young people in the Lower North Shore to experience activities promoting positive ways to

manage stress and feel good, and to introduce the staff and services of Phoenix House.

FeelGood Nights include free dinner, massage, hairdressing, henna tattoos, his and hers

facials, manicures, hand & foot massages and a variety of creative activities.

The program aims to:

• Reduce experiences of isolation and marginalisation for disadvantaged young

people

• Provide safe, drug free options for recreation and relaxation

• Promote positive and effective ways to cope with stress

• Introduce young people to the staff and services offered within Phoenix House in

a non-threatening social atmosphere

FeelGood Nights have been running now for 16 years. This year the project was again

delivered to over 150 young people. Of these young people over 90% are homeless and

living in Youth Specialist Homeless Services. Of those young people, 80% access

counselling services at Phoenix House.

Fitness Program

Each Friday up to ten young people from Phoenix House participate in our Fitness Program.

The Fitness Program was created as a way to support our young people to engage in a

healthy, challenging and active activity on a regular basis. We have partnered with Active

Opportunities in Crows Nest whose mission statement is to empower young people in

Sydney’s communities to realise their potential through quality sport, health and education

programs. The Fitness Program is run for the school semester with a break in the school

holidays. The young people who have participated have fed back that it has encouraged

them to exercise and become fitter and that they would like the program to run “forever”!

Work and Development Orders

Work and Development Orders are made by the State Debt Recovery Office to allow eligible

people to satisfy their fine debts through unpaid work with an approved organisation or by

undertaking certain courses or therapeutic treatment. This year PHYS became an approved

organisation to provide work development orders to our homeless young people in the form

of programs, case management and counselling. This program has been very supportive to

several young people who have accumulated large fines from a time when their lives were

less settled and do not have the means to pay that money back, but are taking steps to

change their lives and move forward.

S.C.A.L.P

Supported through funding from Give2Asia

SCALP was developed with the aim of re-engaging youth that have dropped out of formal

education and/or employment. S.C.A.L.P was run twice last financial year. The 6 week

program utilises a strength based approach promoting self-empowerment, communication

skills and career readiness. This was achieved through the use of group and one-to-one

activities that challenged participants both physically and emotionally within a supportive

environment. SCALP was considered a success with the majority of participants engaging in

employment or continuing their education on completion of the 6 week program.

Tutoring and Study Group

Supported through funding from Give2Asia and StreetSmart Australia

Study Group was held on Wednesday nights during each school term. A professional tutor

was contracted to teach the young people a variety of techniques such as the 8min method,

personal best activity, essay structure, time management and planning. The young people

were also taught stress management strategies like visualisation and meditation. As the

weeks progressed, the young people participated in whichever activities they found useful

for them and spent the other time doing their homework and essays.

Young People who were not at an educational level where they felt comfortable studying

with a group or those who needed special attention were provided with specialised one on

one tutoring.

Alumni Group

The Phoenix Alumni is made up of clients who have moved on from the accommodation

program or who are currently living in one of our units and are transitioning into

independence. The group provides an opportunity for these young people to remain

connected to Phoenix House and maintain relationships. It is also an opportunity for Phoenix

House to consult the group on service enhancement and promotion.

Rotary IT Scholarships

Supported through funding from Crows Nest Rotary Club

These scholarships are available to young people residing in our accommodation program

who are studying for their HSC. They are used to purchase internet access.

Clothing Drive

The clothing drive started when RAGE noticed a larger number of homeless teens in

outreach coming to meetings with clothes that were not weather appropriate or that were

damaged. Through discussion with a number of clients, it became apparent that on very tight

budgets or no money at all for some, in conjunction with not having any adult support, the

young people were without clothing. The clothing drive in an on-going project that is run out

of the RAGE office and has been hugely popular. With the support of the community we

have had enough clothing to provide a variety of sizes, seasons and age appropriate

fashions for those young people in need.

Friday Lunches

Supported through funding from the Help St Foundation

Weekly lunches on a Friday continue to be our most popular program. Young people have a

chance to help plan and prepare the meals while increasing their skills about nutrition and

living skills. The program continues to be a successful way of engaging both new and

current clients and draws up to 20 young people per week. Thank you again to the Help St

Foundation which funds this important activity.

The Christmas Party

Supported through donations from Crows Nest Rotary Club, United Way and Colliers

International

Our annual Christmas Party was again a time for our clients to come together and celebrate

Christmas with peers and staff. This year we had a Big Top Circus theme. The activities

included a side show alley with circus themed games, a magician and the highlight of a

human velcro wall. We are sincerely grateful for the support from Crows Nest Rotary Club

who provided gifts through their Tree of Joy project and to Colliers International and United

Way who provided gift vouchers for all of our young people.

Knitting Group

Over the past year the Knitting Group has continued with success. Shirley Turner continued

this winter to support our young people in their endeavour of learning to knit. This knitting

circle provides a safe space for the young people to knit and create relationships with their

peers. Shirley is well respected and loved by our young people who thoroughly enjoy

spending the time with her. Shirley and her friends have generously continued to make

blankets for our young people throughout the winter months.

Summer camp and holiday program

Following the four previous years of popularity and success, we took a group of young

people to Copacabana for our annual beach getaway. Other school holiday activities

included movies, picnics, bush walks, going to the beach etc. These programs continue to

prove successful in building relationships with our young people by creating a casual and

safe environment to engage in activities with staff.

Counselling

Phoenix House offers counselling support to adolescents, aged 14 to 24 years and to

families experiencing breakdown and stress. It aims to address the presenting issues and

enhance the resilience of young people in the North Shore community. As part of our early

intervention strategy, the goal is to prevent family breakdown by improving communication

within the family system and supporting young people to stay in the family home. Our

Counselling Service is accessible to those marginalised families and young people that may

otherwise slip through government agencies or Health Services.

Demand for counselling, both from some of the young people housed with Phoenix and the

RAGE Program remains high. This population typically struggles with depression, anxiety,

drug & alcohol use and gaming addiction. Observable trends noted during the reporting year

are across a wider range of cultures than in the past and include an increase in gaming

addiction, drug use and self harm.

The number of sessions per client varies. Whilst some clients are particularly committed to

exploring past and present concerns and attend weekly or fortnightly counselling for several

months, other clients may attend the service for a small number of sessions in order to deal

with a crisis situation.

The combination of adolescent case management and counselling support is extremely

effective in bringing about positive change within the young people. We see them engaging

in study, work, and life skills and creating a safer home environment for themselves. This

integrated response assists the clients to regulate their emotions and contain those alcohol

and other drug behaviours that can place them at further at risk of homelessness from family

relationship breakdown and/or through loss of their tenancy.

3%

40%

28%

12%

17%

Age of clients

12 - 14 years

15 - 17 years

18 - 20 years

21 - 23 years

24 years +

30%

70%

Gender of clients

Male

Female

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Adolescent Counselling

Family Counselling

Counselling support sessions

There has been an increase in the demand for family counselling, confirming the trend noted

in the last reporting period where we identified that parents are more likely to approach us

independently as opposed to joining group parenting forums. We continue to support

parents with boundaries and intervention strategies for their adolescents using drugs and

alcohol and spending excessive amounts of time on social media or gaming. This is largely

achieved by educating family members about more effective communication skills and

helping them to develop appropriate boundaries.

7%

27%

9% 8%

45%

4%

Counselling Support Types

Addictions

Family breakdown/relationships

Eating Disorders

Self harm

Mental Health

Anger management

Our

Relationships

Community Development / Networks

Through our work in collaboration with other specialist services, we have expanded options

available to young people, ensured a holistic approach to Case Management and improved

outcomes of our Early Intervention and prevention work by the provision of specialist

services that can be flexible and responsive to our clients’ changing complex needs.

Collaborative practice has also enhanced our staff skill development and is constantly

building on our known accessible resources.

Cows Nest Rotary Club

Phoenix House is a member of the Crows Nest Rotary Club. The Club has provided solid

support over the years through fundraising, working bees, scholarships and annual

Christmas help with gifts for our clients.

Northern Sydney SHS Youth and Families Area Managers Network

The membership of this network is Phoenix House Youth Services, Taldumande Youth

Services, The Burdekin Association, Leith House and Northern Sydney Youth Support

Services. This group operates in a collaborative manner for the betterment of outcomes for

young people and families in distress, primarily from the Northern Sydney area.

Yfoundations

Mary Biddle is currently in the third year of being Co-President of Yfoundations. The

organisation’s main role is to represent the needs of the not-for-profit community sectors at

Government and policy making levels.

Youth Action

Jon Brew is in his second year of being Chairperson of Youth Action. Youth Action is the

government funded peak body representing young people and Youth Services in NSW.

Link Housing

Phoenix House remains in close partnership with our local Community Housing provider with

joint management of 6 apartments located on the North Shore.

Coastal Sydney Regional Homelessness Committee

Mary is in her second year as a Committee Member. The committee oversees the rollout of

the Homelessness Action Plans in this region. The three strategic directions of this plan are:

1. Preventing Homelessness: to ensure that people never become homeless

2. Responding effectively to homelessness: to ensure that people who are homeless do

not become entrenched in the system

3. Breaking the cycle: to ensure that people who have been homeless do not become

homeless again

Lower North Shore Youth Interagency

The LNSYI is a monthly meeting of local organisations and government agencies to respond

to needs and issues affecting young people in the Lower North Shore region.

Acknowledgements

It would not be possible to do what we do without the support of our government, corporate

and community partners. To all our supporters – THANK YOU!

NSW Department of Family and Community Services

Specialist Homelessness Services program

Early Intervention & Placement Prevention program

Getting It Together scheme

Our Supporters

The Hon. Joe Hockey MP

Crows Nest Rotary Club

State Street Foundation (Give2Asia)

Help St Foundation

North Sydney Council

Willoughby City Council

North Sydney Leagues Club

Chatswood RSL

StreetSmart Australia

OzHarvest

Ms Shirley Turner

Financial

Statements