macarthur presentation

Blue Mountains Youth Accommodation and Support Service Inc (BMYASS): 

Blue Mountains Youth Accommodation and Support Service Inc (BMYASS) Stephanie Oatley Manager

Slide2: 

In order to better facilitate a more coordinated approach to service delivery and to broaden services to homeless youth in the Blue Mountains geographic area, Katoomba Youth Refuge and Open House Youth Accommodation Service amalgamated to form Blue Mountains Youth Accommodation and Support Service

Prior to Amalgamation:: 

Prior to Amalgamation:

History : 

History Only two youth accommodation services in the Blue Mountains Local Geographic Area with a history of working together In 2000 Katoomba Youth Refuge (KYR) and Open House (OH) began to take the steps to formalize their partnerships through the establishment of Blue Mountains Youth Initiative (BMYI). BMYI is a working partnership focused on action and tasks through planned meetings and working parties specifically exploring the ways of improving service delivery for clients

Slide5: 

In 2005 a joint planning day between Katoomba Youth Refuge and Open House resulted in all staff unanimously agreeing to amalgamate A three staged model was developed to be implemented over a two year period The process of amalgamation was driven by the service – both staff and management - not the funding body

Slide6: 

Stage 1 Management Committee

Stage 1 – Management Committee (12 months): 

Stage 1 – Management Committee (12 months) Goal being the establishment of a solid Management Committee to ensure: Sound basis and direction for amalgamation Nurture and support of staff for amalgamation Streamline administration Allow for adequate planning and consultation Address policy and practice issues Initiate formal processes

Slide9: 

Stage 2 Outreach Team

Stage 2 – Outreach Team (6 months): 

Stage 2 – Outreach Team (6 months) Goal to amalgamate all outreach positions to form one team to ensure: Increased resources and support to workers through the amalgamation of resources, both capital and human Ability to provide flexible and innovative service delivery Clients maintain one worker throughout their journey in the service Increase access to skilled staff by clients Increased communication and work place practices between services Completion of formal processes

Slide12: 

Stage 3 Completion

Stage 3 – completion (6 months): 

Stage 3 – completion (6 months) Goal is to merge the two accommodation units to form one accommodation team operating two complementary accommodation units with the capacity to provide flexible accommodation options. To achieve this the roles of the Managers will need to be determined. At present we are trialing one option although this process is not expected to be completed until late 2007.

Final Outcome: 

Final Outcome

How to achieve success…: 

How to achieve success… Clear definitions of what the services wants to achieve as a result of change/partnerships Allowing all staff to have involvement in the creation of a mission statement Recognise the new team in its new form Have organised team building days/events e.g. staff lunches, team challenges, spa treatments, etc Have effective and interactive appraisal system for staff Allow staff to explore their own areas of passions to encourage personal growth e.g. neurolinguistic programming, AOD, etc.

How to achieve success…: 

How to achieve success… Involve the clients in how the service system should be delivered Allow all staff to have down time as a group once changes have happened. Thank the staff for the work achieved to date Where possible go at the pace set by the services Create support e.g. training, learning and development, supervision, group supervision, external supervision, peer supervision, staff reflection time, staff meetings, one on one feedback Create a toolbox of tools to assist in being innovative – group dynamics training, and personality and communication type training, value exercises and formation of mission statements, explore availability of students to do research or undertake small projects along the ay, take time to know the other services involved and other organisation layers.

Slide18: 

Stephanie Oatley Blue Mountains Youth Accommodation and Support Service PO Box 64 Springwood 2777 Ph: 02 47 51 4580 Fax: 02 47 51 5370 openhouse@openhouse.asn.au