Award Nomination

Allambi Care’s Bayside team were recently nominated for the 2020 Centre of Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Awards, for the work they did with a group of three Aboriginal siblings who have been in OOHC, and particularly residential care, for a significant amount of time. When the three siblings initially came to live together at Bayside it was the first time they had lived under the same roof for seven years. Over the course of the past 18 months the team have worked tirelessly to make the placement a home for the three siblings. Incidents reduced significantly from two to three critical incidents per day to no critical incidents over the past three months. The team have ensured that family access has not only returned to regular contact but that it is a positive and fulfilling experience for all the siblings. Additionally, the three siblings have returned to full-time schooling and have learnt to live as a family unit and develop healthy attachments to their carers. This is a testament to the team as the three siblings aged 11, 13, and 15 had moved around 50 placements in the past 8 years. 

Most importantly, in late 2019 a maternal Grandmother was located in Sydney by an Allambi Care’s Cultural Support Officer. In early 2020, it was arranged for the Grandmother to visit with the siblings. This was the first time they had met her in many years. The team have continued to support the Grandmother to respond appropriately and to understand the behaviours and individual needs of the siblings. This is the first positive experience of family access that this sibling group has had since being in care. The team have continued to show dedication to not only advocating for these siblings but also to give them the normal childhood experiences that every child deserves. 

(Pictured from left to right, Frey, James and Doug)