Unite Change volunteer Hope · 2018. 9. 13. · UnitingCare Harrison Strategic Plan 2017-2019 Hope Compassion excellence act Integrity Independence Equity Give Inspire Family Community

UnitingCare Harrison

Strategic Plan 2017-2019

Hope

Compassion

excellence

act

Integrity Independence

Equity

Give

Community Inspire Family

Unite

vision

Thank you support

f reedom

Change

Seek individual

share volunteer

Fai th

Generosity kindness

Page 2

UnitingCare Harrison would like to thank the artists of the

Gifford Arts Project for allowing us to publish their work.

Hugh Berry 'Landscape'

UnitingCare Harrison Strategic Plan 2017-19 Page 3

Our Charter

Our Mission, Vision and Values have given us the clarity to move forward over the coming three years and develop this Strategic Plan.

We know who we are and we are proud of it.

WE ARE BOUND BY OUR MISSION UnitingCare Harrison assists people to take charge of their own lives.

WE WORK FOR A COMMON VISION UnitingCare Harrison will be an influential leader in the provision of quality housing and

community services.

WE ARE UNITED BY 5 SHARED VALUES UnitingCare Harrison’s work is inspired by its Christian foundations and the Statement of

Purpose of UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania.

Hope We believe people have the capacity for positive change.

Excellence We are a responsible steward of all its resources striving for

the best in everything it does.

Compassion We listen and work together with people to find solutions,

having particular concern and empathy for those who are

vulnerable, poor and marginalised.

Integrity We act ethically at all times.

Equity We stand for justice and a fair go for all people regardless of

their background, ability or circumstances.

Independence We foster self-reliance.

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Preface from the

Acting CEO

Harrison has grown from an agency with a youth focus, to an agency that pro-

vides services and programs for young people, single adults, families, and people

from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and provides affordable

living in social housing and independent living units.

Our work is guided by our Mission. For our Disability Service this means providing

life and living skills that increase the independence and opportunities for people

with an intellectual disability through person centered practice.

Within our Homelessness Service we design our programs to focus on early inter-

vention to reduce disruption and hardship and link people in with the specialist

supports they require to reach their goals. Our breadth of programs allows us to

provide support to people from their point of crisis through to stable housing.

This reduces stress and anxiety for many clients and improves client engagement

and outcomes.

UnitingCare Harrison is a voice for the increase in affordable housing with Federal

and State Government and within the Uniting Church. Our independent living

units provide quality affordable housing for older people.

The 2017 – 2019 Strategic Plan has been developed to guide the work of the

agency for the next two years while it participates in major funding and organisa-

tional change. During this period the agency will transition from a lone standing

UnitingCare Agency into Uniting, an amalgamation of 22 UnitingCare Agencies

and Wesley Mission. Sector reviews and funding changes are also pending with

the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Roadmap for

reform of children and family services and homelessness services.

This strategic plan ensures the agency is optimally placed to continue to deliver

our innovative programs and services in our local community in the future.

Operating Context 5

Our History 6

What we do 7 - 8

Our Strategic Objectives 9

Key Initiatives 10–14

Acknowledgements 15


Contents

Operating Context

For over fifty years Harrison has worked to meet the

changing needs of young people, single adults and fami-

lies. This strategic plan enables Harrison to continue to

support vulnerable people in our community by placing

Harrison in an opportune position to take advantage of

the shifting political and funding environment and the

changing nature of Uniting Care Agencies in Victoria and

Tasmania.

We are positioning ourselves to deliver our disability pro-

grams under the rollout of the National Disability Insur-

ance Scheme (NDIS) in Eastern Melbourne on the 1st No-

vember 2017. We are reviewing our practices and infra-

structure to ensure they support the funding model

change that will have a major impact on the agency’s abil-

ity to continue delivering disability services in their cur-

rent form.

We have commenced work to address the changing mar-

ket in Retirement Villages. Many of the agency’s retire-

ment villages are small villages with small one bedroom

units averaging 50 years old. The changing market in pri-

vate operator villages is seeing larger one and two bed-

room units with additional facilities and activities occur-

ring on site.

The agency’s innovative homelessness programs are aimed to increase client outcomes by reducing the slide into homelessness while being adaptable to the potential re-duction of homelessness funding and changes in service delivery models.

The National Affordable Housing Agreement (AHA) and National Partnership Agreement on Homeless-ness (NPAH) saw the Commonwealth Government providing $230 million over two years, matched by states and territories, divert funds from generalist homelessness services to fund frontline services focusing on women and children experiencing do-mestic and family violence.

The Victorian State Government is reviewing Public Housing, Social Housing and the homelessness crisis and service delivery model across Victoria and in-troducing a Victorian Housing Register and new Homelessness Launch sites. Youth homelessness is also under review until July 2017. Homelessness Services innovative models address potential fund-ing changes while promoting early intervention to reduce the disruption to young people, single peo-ple and families.

Since the Synod of Uniting Church Victoria/ Tasmania an-

nounced its Major Strategic Review of UnitingCare agen-

cies we have been actively working with Synod and

UnitingCare Agencies towards a successful transition to

one New Agency. This will see UnitingCare as one of the

largest providers of community services in Victoria and

Tasmania. The merge will support efficiencies in operation

and governance and will create a robust entity that can

more easily adapt to changing funding and regulatory

structures.

Our History

The work of UnitingCare Harrison has played an important role in the lives of young people since we first began. As time progressed and needs changed, UnitingCare Harrison has had a swift approach to adapting to meet the needs of the community. In 1960 Rev. Arthur Harrison Minister and the congregation at West Hawthorn Presbyterian Church became concerned about boys leaving Kilmany House in Gippsland on probation, trying to find work and accommodation in Melbourne. Harrison House was established at 50 Power Street, Hawthorn. Harrison today, supports not only young people, but singles, couples and families from all walks of life with the view that programs and services should build independence and provide opportunities rather than being reactive. The range of programs throughout Harrison history has been extensive, from homelessness and coun-selling services, to businesses to support the community such as the motorcycle repair and retail busi-ness in the late 80s, Climb 'n' Beans play equipment, the Conjara Horticultural project and Blackburn Skill Share. Harrison pioneered the lead-tenant model in Victoria where staff support a family-style home to give young tenants a fresh start in life. Harrison has always adapted to ever-changing needs of clients, funding options and the social and economic impacts to meet those needs. Outreach to people with a disability grew during the 2000s as Harrison took over management of the program Genesis. This enabled us to provide live-in life skills training and outreach to people with a mild intellectual disability. Many people's dreams for independence have been fulfilled via this pro-gram. Our support is grounded in the long-standing commitment of our partners - the Uniting Church Synod Victoria/ Tasmania, dedicated local congregations and faithful volunteers. Today Harrison proudly serves the community with 80 staff and 120 volunteers as we prepare for another big shift - to join 22 other UnitingCare agencies to create one of the largest community service organisations operating in Victoria and Tasmania.

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What we do

UnitingCare Harrison seeks to reduce homelessness and the impacts of homelessness by assisting people to take charge of their own lives. We place a strong emphasis on early intervention pro-grams that build resilience in our clients and we work to address the issues that have contributed to homelessness.

Our Disability programs increase the living skills, resilience, social and community connections and the independent living opportunities for people with an intellectual disability.

We provide a wide range of Single Adult and Family Support Programs - Support for Families at Risk of Homelessness, Transitional & Multicultural Support Program, A Place to Call Home, Accom-modation Options for Families & Private Rental Brokerage Program, Social Housing Advocacy Sup-port Program.

Our Youth Homelessness Programs include Transitional Support, Creating Connections, Youth and Family Programs, Stronger Families, Adolescent Support, Finding Solutions and an Open Door Family Reconciliation Program.

We provide a range of housing; program related where clients live while undertaking a living and skills program, crisis housing, retirement living and long term affordable housing.

We recognise the need in our community for safe affordable housing for all and we actively seek additional housing stock and advocate with government, funders, Uniting Church, sector peak bodies and agencies and the community to increase the level of affordable housing.

We provide material support and community engagement programs including Opportunity Shops, material aid, Gifford Arts, UnitingCare & Target Christmas Appeal and community meals.

We operate in the Eastern and Southern suburbs of Melbourne.

‘Would highly recommend your services as the support was valuable’

MISSION

VALUES

STRATEGY

VISION

PEOPLE TAKING CHARGE OF THEIR OWN LIVES

SERVICES

OUR AGENCY

INNOVATION

RELATIONSHIPS

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Contents

Our Strategy

We are passionate about building capacity for vulnerable youth, single adults, families and older peo-

ple by delivering excellence in our key service areas of disability services, homelessness services and

social housing. What will differentiate us will be our innovative approach that focusses on building

resilience and independence, the prevention of homelessness, co-ordination of our services so our cli-

ents can easily access the support that is unique to their needs and maintaining the most extensive

network of providers in the eastern suburbs to give our clients access to the best services and housing

solutions.

To ensure we can provide the best possible services to those we serve, we will strengthen relation-

ships with clients, volunteers, donors, congregations and other providers through implementing an

outcomes driven relationship management program. We will also maintain and strengthen our con-

nection to local communities throughout the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

We will continue to provide our core services to young people, single adults, families and older people

but will give specific emphasis to:

1. Increasing accessibility of Homelessness Services Housing Options Program Eastern (HOPE)

through technology and a new service centre in City of Monash.

2. Expanding our Social Housing Advocacy & Support Program (SHASP) Program supporting com-

plex needs clients to maintain their tenancies.

3. Improve housing, education and employment opportunities to young people through our Mini

“Foyer” like model service.

4. Maximise long term housing & social outcomes for people through expanding our model of link-

ing tenancy and homelessness support services.

5. Supporting adults with an intellectual disability to achieve independent community living.

6. Providing affordable housing options to older people without financial resources.

7. Working with real estate agents to reduce homelessness through evictions.

8. Reducing financial hardship on clients struggling to maintain housing through the provision of

innovative funding/loan options.

We will provide an effective voice to government & community on issues that affect the most vulnera-

ble & disadvantaged young people, single adults, families and older people in our community.

We will create a working environment where our people feel valued, en-

gaged and supported . A cornerstone of our culture will be building ca-

pacity & capability by fostering a culture of innovation and learning with-

in UnitingCare Harrison.

We will be more efficient in the use of our funding through our quality

improvement programs and will achieve and maintain accreditation

needed to provide industry leading outcomes for the people we serve.

Disability Services

We help people with intellectual disabilities

develop life skills so they can live the life they

choose.

Grow and promote Iris Court Living

and Life skills program.

Develop and deliver a tenancy man-

agement model that fits with the Na-

tional Disability Insurance Scheme

(NDIS) cluster Improved Living Ar-

rangements.

Case coordination for families to de-

sign and implement an independent,

client centred housing and support

model for people with an intellectual

disability who are not eligible for NDIS

funding to locate a housing option.

At Iris Court I learnt how to live

with other people and to budget

and clean.

I have now moved to an inde-

pendent share house in Vermont.

Page 10

We alleviate homelessness and its effects by be-

ing a leading contributor to innovation and new

thinking on homelessness.

Increase accessibility of Homelessness Ser-

vices through web based teleHOPE.

Increase accessibility of Homelessness Ser-

vices in City of Monash.

Implement Mini Foyer Models with Uniting

Housing Victoria as registered housing

provider and work with Department Health

and Human Services to promote and roll

out the model.

Redesign the Youth Early Intervention Pro-

gram service model , including new out-

come based success measures that are

more early intervention focused.

Reduce homelessness through the Social

Housing Advocacy Support Program by

supporting high complex needs client to

maintain their tenancy.

Homelessness Services

Source: Specialist homelessness services 2014-15 (National supplementary table Clients2)

256, 000 people sought help from specialist homelessness ser-vices in 2014–15. The majority were female (59%) and over a quarter were children under 18 (28%). AIHW – Australia figures

I’m now very happy and secure in my own

accommodation with my little boy. A place

we can both call our home!

Housing Services

We provide stable affordable social housing

for low income earners and older persons

without financial resources. We provide hous-

ing to assist in a crisis and program housing

properties in a timely manner.

Leverage existing capacity and cost base to

manage a larger portfolio of mixed housing

stock including properties in other parts of

Uniting Church Vic/Tas and on behalf of ex-

ternal agencies.

Promote our integrated housing and home-

lessness support model (eg. used in deliver-

ing crisis housing, aspirational housing,

Gifford Village) through a Uniting Care con-

sortia.

Increase housing options available to older

people by creating site future financial viabil-

ity plans for older person living villages. (four

Villages are becoming less attractive to the

market- financial costing to manage rental

sites, affordability scale of all sites).

Package services to improve resident wellbe-

ing through streamlined referral pathways.

Survey feedback 2016

“They know my name”

“Very happy—best decision I have made”

“It’s a safe, enjoyable & social place & I get

good help as well”

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Innovative Practices

We reduce homelessness by leading

the development and delivery of in-

novative practices within the New

Agency and sector.

Reduce evictions from Real Estate

Agent tenancies.

Reduce financial hardship on cli-

ents struggling to maintain housing

with innovative funding/loan op-

tions as part of HOPE program.

Improve housing, education and

employment opportunities to

young people through Mini "Foyer"

like model.

Identify precursors to homeless-

ness so that early intervention ser-

vices can be identified and provid-

ed before homelessness.

Hi, As arranged I am moving out of a Harrison

house this morning. “Thank you” for all your as-

sistance, since “my now ex” begged for us to

return to Melbourne and I gave up my job in

Darwin. I really appreciate all your help. It’s ac-

tually amazing how quickly you can completely

lose your dignity, pride and sink to new lows and

levels. Once again cheers for all.

Youth Program Exit Survey feedback -

My whole lifestyle and approach to life has changed, I’m so

much happier and healthier. I have secure housing, finally

sorted out Centrelink and have gained a proper adult job :)


Our Relationships

We strengthen our relationships to

promote greater awareness of home-

lessness and increase funding oppor-

tunities from our partners, funding

agencies and donors.

Identify and formalise manage-

ment of relationships with key

service providers/partners and

funding organisations /donors

and volunteers to improve our

service quality.

Maintain and grow relationships

with congregations and presby-

tery's through expanding

speaking program, and client

outcome feedback.

Involve and strengthen congre-

gation, presbytery and synod

relationships attached to each

village. UCH A/CEO, Michael Sukkar MP, Bill, Ted, Anne

Centrelink Office Staff also supporting Harrison Material Aid program (with UCH – Jenny Smith)

The relationships we have with Uniting Church congrega-

tions and our community partners allows us to stretch

our funding dollar that much further and assist more

vulnerable people in our local community.

Page 14

Acknowledgements We would like to thank the companies, trusts and foundations, churches, schools and community

groups for their ongoing support .

Strategic Planning Consultant

Darren Watt

Trusts and Foundations

RACV Community Foundation SHARE Community Appeal BOMAR Danks Family Trust Ian Potter Foundation

Church Groups

Ararat West Uniting Church - Ladies Guild Clayton Church of Christ Croydon North Uniting Church Croydon Uniting Church Emerald Uniting Church Euroa Uniting Church Ferntree Gully Uniting Church Forest Hill Uniting Church Heathmont Uniting Church Koonung Heights Uniting Church Montrose Uniting Church Toorak Churches Ecumenical Vermont Uniting Church Wesley Uniting Church - Box Hill Yarragon Uniting Church

Gifford Village Artists

For allowing us to use your fabu-

lous works.

Schools

Bayswater South Primary School Billanook Primary School, Mont-rose Box Hill TAFE MDLC (Mountain District Learning Centre) Ringwood Secondary College Rowville Secondary College Scoresby Secondary College Upwey Secondary College Wesley College, Glen Waverley

Companies

Bakers Delight Studfield

Bakers Delight Wantirna Mall Bendigo Bank Betta Electrical Knox Bridge Charcoal Chicken Brumbys Studfield Bunnings Vermont Connect East (Eastlink) Curves Gym Ferntree Gully Domtex Australia Eels Mowing Service, Healesville Epworth Eastern Box Hill Ferntree Gully Motor Group Foodbank, Dandenong Goodstart Early Learning - Ferntree Gully GS1 Australia Heathmont Interchurch Help Heirs of Grace Café IGA Wantirna Mall Kool Kidz on Wellington Childcare - Rowville Lilly Patches Boronia Maroondah Chiropractic Mooroolbark Christian Fellowship Pancake Parlour - Knox Plantmark - Wantirna Ray White Real Estate Second Bite Target Australia – Eastland Target Knox Three Minute Angels Yarra Valley Water

Community Groups

Bedford Heights Retirement Vil-lage Craft Group Boronia Police Box Hill Police Centrelink – Boronia, Glen Waver-ley & Oakleigh Chicks for Charity City of Greater Dandenong City of Knox City of Maroondah City of Whitehorse Eastern Emergency Relief Headspace Hawthorn Headspace Knox Hope City Mission Inner East Community Health - Hawthorn Inner Wheel of Boronia Knox Police kogo (Knit One, Give One) LEO Club of Knox North of the Yarra Quilters Guild PWP – Parents Without Partners Inc Ringwood Police Rotary Club of Bayswater Rotary Club of Emerald and Dis-tricts Rotary Club of Knox Rotary Club of Ringwood Magic Moments Basket Brigade St Vincent de Paul, Boronia Vic Roads Whitehorse Community Health


1012 Little Burwood Highway Wantirna South

PO Box 4503

Knox City VIC 3152

(03) 9871 8700

(03) 9801 3134

www.unitingcareharrison.org.au

Aurora Gill 'Mesmorized'

UnitingCare Harrison

acknowledges the support of

the Victorian Government

Documents

Unite Change volunteer Hope · 2018. 9. 13. · UnitingCare Harrison Strategic Plan 2017-2019 Hope Compassion excellence act Integrity Independence Equity Give Inspire Family Community