Want to do meaningful work and really make it matter? Make your mark with Anglicare Victoria 

Anglicare Victoria is all about supporting families to grow and achieve their goals. Sometimes, it’s creating everyday moments of positive change on the road to long-term stability. Other times, it’s a helping hand when a crisis immediately and unexpectedly hits. Hear from four of our incredible practitioners about how they champion change for those who need it most.  

An Innovative Approach

Sinead Hope has seen countless lives changed for the better after accessing Anglicare Victoria’s support. She also knows that sometimes, reaching out and asking for help is the hardest part. But once that first step is overcome, the impact that can be made is nothing short of miraculous. 

“There’s so many stories of positivity. Being able to really connect with families, allowing them to be heard and validated - it’s a real joy. I really appreciate that at Anglicare Victoria, we’re allowed to be flexible with our funding if we believe it meets the family’s goals.”

After eight years working in family violence refuges, Sinead witnessed the devastating outcomes of families being torn apart. So, as Team Leader of Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) at Anglicare Victoria, she loves that her role is dedicated to bringing families back together. 

“Even though it is a voluntary service, we might be met with some distrust and resistance, which is totally understandable. When we first meet with a family, we take the time to listen and understand them before we identify what their goals are and what we need to do to support them. I think having that transparent, authentic approach really helps build trust.”

Within FPR, Sinead’s expertise lies in Rapid Response, which prevents children from entering out-of-home care. This is just one of many innovative services at Anglicare Victoria, and it has achieved remarkable success. In fact, 94.5% of children supported through Rapid Response have been able to remain with their families. A key part of this success is the expertise of the Anglicare Victoria team.

“There’s such a vast range of knowledge and skills to draw upon in every team at Anglicare Victoria,” Sinead says. “Someone might be skilled in NDIS or mental health or family violence, like myself. We’re really encouraged to consult with others and be flexible and creative in our approach to supporting families.”

Closing the gaps

In her time at Anglicare Victoria, Sinead has been heartened by the amount of funding and innovation on offer. She constantly sees new programs emerging that make a real difference for the children and families she supports.

“There’s so much to be excited about at Anglicare Victoria. There’s always new things happening or new projects starting out, and we’re really good at sharing those successful outcomes. I know there are mental health projects taking off in the Family Violence space, and there’s a fantastic new service called Buldau Yioohgen, which is designed to support Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. It’s just amazing to hear about.”
Trevor Dray has seen a lot of innovations in his 30 years in the family services sector. Since joining Anglicare Victoria in 2016, he’s more proud than ever to work for an organisation that’s leading the way, and offering diverse services that directly respond to community needs.

“I think what Anglicare Victoria does really well is identifying gaps in our services, then having conversations about how we can fill those gaps through new initiatives. No matter where you sit in the organisation, if you have an idea for a new program, you’re encouraged to raise it with your manager and try to make it happen.”

As Program Manager for Residential Care (South Region), Trevor has experienced this first-hand thanks to the introduction of above-the-line therapy specialists in residential care houses. The positive difference these roles make in the lives of young people shows in the marked reduction of incident reports filed over the last two years. In Trevor’s view, the service is as successful as it's ever been, thanks to the deep care and compassion that lie at the heart of Anglicare Victoria’s impact.

“We want to lead the way in the sector, and the way we do that is through real, clear compassion. In order for us to put that out into the community, it has to start from within. Paul [our CEO] drives that right from the top, and it flows down to every single staff member. We couldn’t achieve what we do at the coal face without the genuine support that Anglicare Victoria gives.”

Bring your best

As impactful as it is, many people may not consider a career in family services. Kelly Harris certainly didn’t, but making the move from the education sector was the best career decision she ever made. The opportunities she’s been given to learn new skills and broaden her scope have made her work so much more meaningful.

“A lot of people come into this work because they love kids and want to work with them, but kids are just the middle of the circle. They’ve got a family of origin, a creche, kinder or school they go to, and other agencies they connect into. It’s not just your work with the child - it’s how you pull everything together to bring that really holistic approach to their wellbeing.”

Like Kelly, Dallas Hood started his career in a very different field - the football field, to be exact! Experiencing a tough transition to living out of home inspired him to mentor younger teammates in the same position, revealing how his skills were a great fit for supporting vulnerable young people in residential care houses.

“So many people live their lives and probably don’t realise they’re a mentor. If people tend to come to you for advice or to have a chat because they find you reassuring, those are the people who tend to do extremely well in resi. If you naturally have those comfort-giving qualities, this is a job you could really excel in.”

Excelling at Anglicare Victoria means so much more than forging a great career. It means making a mark on the lives of young people who need support and guidance. As Dallas has learned, every small moment shared with a young person can lead to progress that genuinely changes their lives.

“For a young person who has never been engaged with schooling, it could be that they start going three days a week. For a young person looking to have a career, it could be taking up a trade or finding a job. A young person who’s absconded from the house could start spending every night with us because they see it as a safe space where they feel comfortable. In resi, you’re never just going through the motions. Every day, you’re passing valuable lessons on to these young people and helping them reach those life milestones that are so, so important.”