Bright Futures provides enhanced case management and group work responses to children whose families are being supported by a homelessness and/or family violence case manager in Melbourne’s North and West Metropolitan Regions.
Who is the program for?
Children 0-17 accompanying their families who are being supported by a family violence or homelessness case manager.
Where is the program offered?
North and West Metropolitan area of Melbourne.
How can you access this program?
Referrals must come from a homelessness or family violence case manager working with the primary carer or family. Referring workers should first contact the Bright Futures team to discuss any potential referrals. Bright Futures funding does not allow self-referrals.
What are the streams?
Bright Futures offers 3 streams of support to children and young people:
Stream 1 - Assessment and development of a case plan
Assessment and case planning
Bright Futures offer support by facilitating a collaborative assessment with the primary carer and the child or young person (where possible). The Bright Futures assessment process supports the development of a holistic case plan for the child or young person, outlining the supports they would like.
After the assessment and case plan are complete, there are two support pathways:
- Hand back to referring worker for support
If support needs may be met by the referring agency, the Bright Futures team will organise a hand-over to go through the case plan with the client, parent/caregiver and referring agency.
- Move to Bright Futures case management.
If support needs cannot be met by the referring worker and require specialist support, the child or young person will enter Stream 2 – Enhanced Case Management.
Assessment and case planning usually occurs over 3-4 appointments.
Stream 2 - Enhanced case management
Bright Futures offers enhanced case management for children and young people by providing specialist support to meet the needs identified in their case plan. Enhanced case management involves meeting with the child or young person and their primary carer once every 1-2 weeks, depending upon need.
The goals of enhanced case management might include:
- Intensive support that is focused on social, recreational, health and educational support needs
- Identification and linkages into appropriate services
- Supporting positive interactions with peers and family
- Minimisation of anxiety and stress-related tension caused by various traumatic experiences
- Advocacy on children and young people’s rights to access services within their community
Enhanced case management support is provided for 3 – 6 months.
Stream 3 - Therapeutic group work
The Bright Futures group work program is a therapeutic creative arts group that provides space away from some of the more stressful times children may have encountered through their experience of homelessness and/or family violence. Therapeutic methods such as art, movement, games and small group discussions create an atmosphere that feels safe and relaxed. Groups explore themes such as family and identity, understanding and communicating feelings, responding to intense emotions, safety & supports, strengths and hopes and dreams.
Bright Futures work in partnership with other services in the North and West regions to run groups throughout the area aimed at different ages such as
- infants and mothers
- primary school-aged children
- high school-aged children
The groups are run in different locations each term, with various partner agencies. To discuss a group partnership, please contact the team.
Referral Process
Co-Case Management
Bright Futures work in a co-case management model. The referring worker must maintain support with the primary carer or family for the duration of Bright Futures involvement so that any support needs for the primary carer and family as a whole can continue to be addressed.
Referral process:
| Stage 1 – Initial enquiry and screening call |
|
| Stage 2 – Discussion of referrals |
|
| Stage 3 – Handover |
|
| Stage 4 – Assessment and case planning |
|
| Stage 5 – Collaborative decision-making |
|
What are the objectives of the program?
Provide holistic case management and group work support to children and young people who have experienced homelessness and family violence to improve social, emotional, educational and physical wellbeing.
Program Contact Details
Bright Futures
(03) 9359 5493
brightfutures@merri.org.au
Important contact details
Find out more about this program
For more information on this program or our other service offerings, get in touch using our simple online form or reach out with the program specific contact information above.