Barnardos is persistent for change

Barnardos is regularly recognised for the quality of our work. Our ground breaking evidence-based case management systems like the LookingAfter Children (LAC) and the Supporting Children and Responding to Families (SCARF) are now used by government and non-government welfare agencies throughout Australia. Barnardos vision is to build collaborative partnerships throughout the child welfare sector that will enable us to share resources and expertise with the sole purpose of improving outcomes for ALL vulnerable and socially disadvantaged children.Building on our success with other organisations and the help of some of our corporate partners we have entered into an exciting era of providing grants to other community organisations so as toencourage sustainable positive change.

Maxe Grants

Launched in August, this new and exciting small grants program is designed to help kids get themost out of their education.  OffceMax Max e Grants provide small grants to community groups, schools, kindergartens and long day care centres throughout Australia who apply on behalf of a disadvantaged child or young person to further their education prospects.

Reaching Out, Helping Hand

Taking the grant concept one step further with HBOS Australia Foundation,Barnardos will soon launch a program designed to offer smaller community organisations funding to improve their quality ofservice and deliver stronger communities and families in the most disadvantaged areas of Australia. This is part of Barnardos’ long term vision to improve standards and outcomes for all children “in need”.

Financial Literacy in Progress

HSBC Australia and Barnardos have joined forces to launch FLiP, a financial literacy tool designed to educate social welfare workers in how to assist low-income families with financial issues. It also offers practical help to overcome debt and improve savings. Our two key programs are Fast Track, a debt assistance program, and Celebration Planner, an education program aimed at developing saving skills.

Many families who turn to Barnardos lack knowledge and struggle to manage the many pressures faced by low-income earners. Spiralling debts force families into many situations including eviction and repossession of goods which often put them at the mercy of loan sharks. Many families do not recover and just fall apart. The right financial choices can make a big difference to the quality of a family’s life and to the outcomes for their children. Even though many family support clients have a limited income, there are still lots of ways to assist families to work on money issues.

Encompass Credit Union

Thanks to our award winning partnership with Encompass Credit Union, Barnardos is celebrating 100 loans through our No-Interest Loan Scheme on the 5th March. This program provides safe, fair and affordable credit to Barnardos clients who are experiencing financial hardship. We are extremely pleased at this achievement and look forward to helping another 100 families as soon as we can.

01_Important Decisions 02_Barnardos Persistent for Change 03_Adoption and Star of Wonder 04_Disturbed and Fractured Attachment 05_NSW Government Inquiry into Child Protection Services 06_Free Dental Treatment 07_Gifts with a Difference - Helping Australia's Children