The Better Chances Forum (BCF) is a collaboration supporting better chances for children, young people, their families and communities to lead safe, healthy and happy lives. We focus on early intervention and prevention to keep families together. We bring together people from organisations and groups across the Northern Rivers region of NSW to:
explore what’s working and not working in our service systems – to understand challenges, gaps and opportunities
share information and build relationships
work with our stakeholders to strengthen our practice
act to work more supportively alongside children, young people, their families and communities.
BCF currently has more than 250 members from over 75 community, government and private-sector organisations.
Driving change – through the BCF systemic change group
The BCF Systemic Change Group consists ofBCF members who are interested in driving the strategic direction of BCF and considering how BCF can create systemic change in our region, systems and sector to support better chances for children, young people, their families and communities.
We encourage nominations for this group from BCF members on behalf of an organisation, interest group, or individuals with a contribution to make.
The group began in 2020 and has met regularly to participate in focused conversations and discussions. Some of the conversations held, which will underpin the Shared Practice Framework BCF is developing, including being conscious of our cultural biases, participation of children, young people, parents and carers in BCF and starting to define the focus of our systemic change work.We will continue to facilitate the BCF Systemic Change Group in 2021 and share learning with the wider BCF membership.
BCF hosts regular opportunities for people to connect, collaborate,share information and build relationships. By registering as a BCF member you will be invited to participate in meetings, training, workshops and be involved in BCF working groups.
The Northern Rivers Better Chances Forum met on Wednesday 25 November, at Ballina Surf Club to connect, share and reflect.
Attendees were asked to reflect on ‘What was important in your/our practice to hold Children, Young People and families well in 2020? Considering, what changed, why and what did this mean?’ Also, ‘How you intend to work in 2021?’ –
Themes presented on the day
Connection:
In 2020 many saw increased engagement and connection with families and the sector
We will continue to create space and time for connection. As a sector we value caring for each other. Create spaces to heal, connect, grow, flourish
Collaborate with community:
We missed being out in the community
2021 focus on being out in the community – learning with community and with other services. Community ownership of activities and connection to community
Being intentional about how we work and why we are doing what we are doing- what is the best way, for our Children, young people and families, to deliver our work:
No wrong door – if someone rings take the call and follow up
Flexible, adaptive, creative- especially in Education:
2020 highlighted gaps in the system, especially for vulnerable families, regular welfare checks with families were required- we need to balance red tape and wellness
We can think differently to get the same job done – organisations trusted staff to connect directly with families – we were able to balance- some systems will not continue to have this flexibility
In 2021 flexibility can be supported by linking with other BCF members who have flexibility in how they can support children, young people and families
We need to understand and build on the skills and strengths across the sector, ideas around a BCF skills map/audit
Continue to be adaptive to change. Use more creative thinking and innovation to push boundaries and find solutions
Intentional about the wellbeing of each other:
Checking in with staff – be present – find out regularly how staff and families are going
Intentional practice in managing staff regarding wellbeing. COVID provided opportunities to connect across the region – not consistently happening pre-COVID. By supporting wellbeing among staff we see good work with children, young people and families – drives good performance
Acknowledge our personal and professional presence in our work. We need time to manage the different priorities we all have- focus on us as part of the community
BCF intend to communicate these themes to the wider community sector and include these in our developing BCF shared practice framework.
Between April and August 2020 BCF hosted fortnightly online meeting spaces for BCF members, which saw more than 60 professionals from 30 organisations connect, collaborate, learn and support each other. The sessions helped to break down barriers and raise awareness of additional resources and assistance available to support families. As a sector, we were able to rapidly identify emerging trends, such as an increase in child wellbeing reports, and find solutions together. One challenge was the difficulty young people faced remaining engaged with education during lockdown. We recognised that teachers needed additional support, so we used the Community Hub to create a collaborative information pack for schools. The pack contained details of the local services and resources available to help them reach out and support their students and families. Stay tuned for more information about BCF member connection and information sharing spaces (online and face to face) in 2021.
The Right Support. Right Time. 2019 Better Chances Regional Forum held on 13 June 2019 at Lennox Head Cultural and Community Centre focused on and explored the question, can children, young people and families we work with get the right support at the right time?
The event attracted 135 attendees representing 46 organisations. The day was facilitated by Naomi Moran, General Manager at the Koori Mail and we had 16 presentations and 4 workshops. All of the presenters were from the Northern Rivers, with the exception of two NSW Government presenters from Sydney who joined with The Family Centre to present on the results of a child protection pilot project. There was a really strong focus on Aboriginal culture, and understanding how the whole sector can work more supportively alongside Aboriginal workers, organisations and communities. Other themes for the day included connecting across organisations and systems, acting on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and connecting with community in our work.
Evaluation told us that 95% of attendees surveyed thought the forum was engaging and interesting, and 96% of those surveyed learnt new things or made new connections that will assist them with their work.
Participants also told us that most useful and enjoyable sessions on the day were Helene Collard, (We Al-li), Carmen Stewart (It Takes a Town) and Naomi Moran (Forum facilitator).
A number of recommendations were developed from the day, outlined in the Summary report, which will inform BCF’s work program. We thank everyone who contributed to making this event a great and challenging day for the sector.
Help in setting your goals and plans
Access to pre-employment training or retraining
Help writing your resume and with interview skills
Support to find, keep or change jobs
One year of on the job support while you get on your feet
Practical and financial assistance such as child-care, getting your driver’s licence, fuel vouchers to get to job interviews, etc.
Help in finding suitable housing
The first working group meeting was held on February 2020.
The first working group meeting will be held in February 2020.
The first working group meeting will be held in February 2020.
The first working group meeting will be held in February 2020.
