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Specialist Workers for Children and Young People (SWCYP) Program – Support for Children and Young People at Bathurst Women and Children’s Refuge
At Bathurst Women and Children’s Refuge, our Child and Youth Specialists and Child and Family Workers provide trauma informed, therapeutic support to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and young people living in refuge accommodation, as well as children of parents receiving outreach support from the refuge.
This focused approach reflects a broader shift towards recognising the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence on children, and to make sure they have the support they need to recover, grow, and thrive.
How we support children and young people
Support is flexible and tailored to each child, and may include:
- One-on-one or group sessions with children and/or parents
- Case planning and goal setting
- Connection to education, community and cultural support
- Advocacy for children and parents, linking children with other support services
- Support to access mainstream and specialist services
- Collaboration with the local service system to ensure wraparound support is available to families
- Referral and ongoing support to engage with other services, including long-term and step-down support after a family leaves the refuge
Our team is also alert to signs of distress in children living in refuge accommodation, working to ensure every child is monitored and protected. We provide parenting support and education to mothers with a focus on their child’s rights, and work to support and strengthen the relationship between mother and child throughout their time with us.
CONTACT:
Specialist Workers for Children and Young People (SWCYP) Program
Email: dvsupport@olalc.com.au
Who this supports
This support is available to children and young people aged 0 to 18 who are:
- Living in the refuge with a parent or carer who has experienced domestic and family violence, or
- The children of DFV-affected parents receiving outreach support from the refuge
There are no additional eligibility requirements for children and mothers residing in the refuge.
How we can help children connect with support
Support for children and young people is identified and coordinated internally by our refuge team, through case management, staff observation, or conversations with parents during their time with us. Our Child and Youth Specialists continue working with children and young people after they leave the refuge, into transitional or long-term housing. We continue to support them until their case plan goals are met and they’re connected with appropriate wraparound or step-down services.
