Our Year In Focus
This year each month has presented us with new opportunities to create a positive future for children, families and the community.
- Disability Services Review
- Strategic Planning Board workshop
- Strategic Planning two-day workshop with Strategic Leadership Group
- NDIS readiness workshops Strategic Leadership Group, Operational Leadership Group and Frontline Leadership Group (all staff)
- Karen Wilcox and Danielle Woolage presented on the Homework Hub pilot program at the inaugural UOW Early Start Conference
- Disability Service Review Report and Recommendations for NDIS
- Shoalhaven Business Awards – CareSouth Sponsored Employer of Choice
- Meeting with Minister Hazard promoting Early Intervention, Aunties and Uncles and Foster Care
- Video conferencing installed at Berkeley, Nowra and GoulburnNo Email Day Initiative Commences – promoting face to face and other forms of communication
- Children’s Week carer recruitment media campaign
- Illawarra Business Awards – CareSouth
- Developed a concept for a Disability Hub – which will give people the opportunity to own their own home, have meaningful employment and provide day programs
- Project 291 delivered at Bellambi Beach in partnership with Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre, Children for Communities, Northern Stars Swim School, Bellambi Surf Life Saving Club, Surf Education International and Youth Off The Streets. The program increased swimming skills and raised surf awareness and safety for children and young people
- All Staff Development Day – CareSouth’s Practice Framework
- White Ribbon Oath
- OOHC awards dinner for children and young people
- AGM
- National Carers Awards
- After Hours Service celebrates first year of operation
- Homework Hub to roll out beyond pilot program
- Board and CEO road trip to Goulburn, Griffith and Deniliquin
- Deniliquin Office Opening – CareSouth purchased office space located within the CBD cementing ourselves within the community
- Staff End-of-Year Christmas Party at Wagga Wagga Mercure with 70 staff attending
2015 – 2016 brought a new five year Strategic Plan to CareSouth, guiding the organisation to keep influencing and supporting the safety, development and empowerment of children, adults and communities.
- CEO Deb Tozer participated in ACWA strategic planning process
- Commenced the Safeguarding Children Accreditation Program with the Australian Childhood Foundation to implement best practice in child protection. CareSouth is the only program in the Western Region to have undertaken this voluntary program and will lead the sector in providing the safest possible policies, practices and culture
- Engaged a specialist to review our carer assessment process and set the benchmark for consistent high quality assessment across all regions
- All Staff Development Day – Wellness day at Jamberoo focusing on self-care for workers and official launch of Strategic Plan
- Deb Tozer is guest speaker on the panel for the 2016 International Women’s Day celebration at WIN Entertainment Centre
- Introduction of Service Risk Reviews
- Carer Recruitment Project rolled out
- CEO Deb Tozer attended Shoalhaven Business Forum
- Families Week carer recruitment marketing campaign across all regions, new campaign launched
- Homework Hub funding grants from IMB Community Foundation and Commonwealth Bank
- CareSouth launches inaugural Everyday Emerging Leaders program to identify and develop future talent across the organisation. The program is a flexible, work-based learning program that identifies, develops and supports staff considering a career in management and leadership. The Everyday Emerging Leadership Program is designed to inspire, challenge, enable and encourage a thought-provoking 12 month leadership development journey. The program incorporates a formal program called the Challenge of Management which will be delivered in partnership with Leadership Management Australia
- Residential OOHC review by Stephen Friedrich to look at better strategies for young people to plan for their future
- Further develop partnerships for HYAP model. A successful partnership with CareSouth and Campbell Page in Batemans Bay was completed in March. The HYAP program delivers targeted support to prevent children entering OOHC and was funded by the Homeless Youth Assistance Program. CareSouth has been shortlisted to roll out HYAP2 in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven. The program will work with 12-16 year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and their families. The aim is restoration with families
- Second round of NDIS disability workshops
- ACT office opened
- Staff outgrew space in Griffith and obtained new premises in June. The move will occur next month
- Ongoing collaborative carer recruitment media campaign across Aunties and Uncles, OOHC and Family Choices
- End of Financial Year giving campaign launched
Hear from some of our team about the work we do EVERYDAY
Our footprint
Our reach is great and has expanded throughout regional New South Wales and the Southern Tablelands, now providing services across five regions.
Support services
Policy & Research
CareSouth is committed to building a culture of research and evaluation to our practices. Establishing the importance of Policy and Research and our six core principles that underpin our work with children, adults, families, each other and all our stakeholders.
Aboriginal Community Development
CareSouth is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and is committed to making a positive contribution to them and their future.
Our Partners
Financials
