paul was a family support worker dedicated to the prevention of family homelessness in Launceston
In mid 2002, after an intense period working directly with the homeless community as an Accommodation Support Worker, I was seconded to a new early intervention project. The Family Homelessness Prevention Pilot (FHPP) was a Commonwealth funded two year pilot. With eights sites across the country, Launceston was the only Tasmanian site, and I was the inaugural worker. After successive funding extensions, and a re-badging as the Household Organisational Management Expenses (HOME) Advice Program, the initiative remained locked at eight sites nation-wide for a decade before it was finally terminated.
Locally we named the initiative, Family Matters. I worked as a Family Support Worker in the program in Launceston from 2002-2008. In this time I worked in partnership with a Centrelink Social Worker and other support services to engage families living in greater Launceston from becoming homeless. As an early intervention program it was designed to engage vulnerable families at risk of losing their private or public rental accommodation, so as to reduce family homelessness, and maintain the connections parent and children had with school, friendships and informal supports.
While working in the program I supported scores of parents and children to address housing concerns, as well as income, employment, financial, and relationships matters. My skills grew as a support worker and as an advocate for the expansion of social support services. Based on my experience in this role I also hold a deep belief in the value of (well delivered) early intervention and prevention programs.
