Brokerage Funds 2008
The FRMP has an allocation of funding that can be accessed by SAAP or THM services and workers to support young people (newly or longer term homeless) aged 15–25yrs who have identified they are wanting to access family mediation/ reconciliation type services.
The overriding objectives of brokerage are to:
1) Support wherever possible young people to remain/return home where appropriate;
2) Reconnect with family;
3) Support young people to resolve within themselves issues relating to family conflict/breakdown.
Brokerage Guidelines
Brokerage Guidelines Download
Application Forms
- Application Form for Individuals Download
- Application Form for Family Mediation Download
- Application Form for Groups Download
- Request for Additional Sessions Download
Invoicing
- Invoicing Guidelines and Requirements Download
Feedback
- Progress Report for Individuals Download
- Final Feedback Form for Individuals Download
- Final Feedback For for Young People Download
- Final Feedback Form (Discretionary) for Individuals Download
- Final Feedback From Mediation Download
- Final Feedback for Groupwork (young person) Download
- Final Feedback for Groupwork (worker) Download
Brokerage Feedback 2005-2007 - A Snapshot
Worker's reflections regarding impact of therapeutic interventions for clients:
- The young person was able to express her feelings and communicate assertively with her separated parents. Also, the sessions gave her a framework to understand the differences in her & her family's reactions to loss and grief. The young people reported that she was able to communicate with her dad and feel listened to and that at closure, her relationships were going well.
- It enabled the young person and his parents to explore issues re separation of parents, grief and loss surrounding this, and explore father's role in young person's life after violence and abuse
- The young person began making fresh attempts to make contact with her family. Unfortunately these were not reciprocated.
- The young person stated that she found the counselling very beneficial and gave her the opportunity to look at issues that were affecting her and her family.
- Conflict was reduced in the home.
- The brokerage enabled this client to have counselling and psychological assessment from a psychologist who could speak the client's first language. This enabled identification of key issues and the development of a plan to address family issues and client's physical and mental health needs.
- Major improvement with school attendance and performance at school and greatly improved support from parent(s). Young person is much more secure and indicators of early home-leaving much reduced.
- Once depression and anxiety levels were reduced, the young person was able to address issues around independence and communication with her parents. At the time of referral this young person was at the point of leaving home. As a result of effective counselling, the young person gained skills to resolve conflict and restore relationships, thus preventing homelessness.
- Assisted parent and partner to establish clearer expectations around parenting their adolescent. Assisted in exploring strategies for parent to communicate her needs better to both partner and adolescent.
- Young person has improved managing his stress. Greater understanding of family situation and relationship (lack of) with stepfather. Young person is regularly catching up with Mother and Sister. Mother attended a couple of sessions with young person.
- The young person was able to express her feelings and communicate assertively with her separated parents. Also, the sessions gave her a framework to understand the differences in her and her family's reactions to loss and grief. The young person reported that she was able to communicate with her dad and feel listened to and that at closure her relationships were going well.
Worker's reflections regarding impact of groupwork interventions for clients:
- TYPO Station gave the client the opportunity to form new friendships and learn new skills to assist him in life around communication and problem solving. As a result, the young man now listens more to his Mum and appreciates his family more where he was at risk of disconnection from them and school before this experience.
- The young person has come away from the pilgrimage with a better understanding of who they are and also how their actions affect other around them. Since returning, the young person feels more comfortable to make contact with their family and is open to discussing issues with them.
Worker's reflections regarding impact of discretionary funding for clients:
- The young person was able to re-establish a relationship with her sister in Canberra, whom she has had little contact with since sibling had moved interstate. Both siblings were unable to afford interstate travel to see each other. The entire family dynamic had previously been very strained between family members who are scattered in various states. This initial meeting opened doorways for the siblings to renew their relationship and resulted in the older sibling coming to Melbourne for the rest of the school holidays. It is hoped that this relationship will be the catalyst for further strengthening of connections with the entire family, with the older sibling being the link between other family members.
Worker's reflections on brokerage process:
- The FRMP process is fantastic! It ensures we can access a practitioner very quickly due to the efficient process of FRMP brokerage.
- I was extremely impressed with the ease with which the funds were obtained and the speed with which FRMP responded to our application for this young person.
- I thought the process was very organised and planned which in turn benefited the young person greatly.
- Quick approval. A bit of extra admin work.
- The best part is the speed by which applications are approved.
- I find this an excellent resource providing young people with access to significant and timely responses, which would not otherwise be available to them.
- Straightforward process, accessible service, good communication.
- We appreciate the high level of funding for each session.
Brokerage Examples
Case Study 1
Service accessing brokerage: Youth Refuge (rural)
Funding requested: Reconciliation – counselling
Details of young person: 16 year old male living in a refuge. Requesting individual counseling around issues of anger management, grief and loss, and the relationship with his father and stepmother.
Gaps in services: No services available
Own provider / assistance: Refuge worker has own contact to provide counselling
Funds used for: Individual counselling with the view to involve his father and stepmother
Sessions requested: 10
Cost: $130 / session
Case Study 2
Service accessing brokerage: Youth Refuge (inner metro)
Funding requested: Reconciliation – counselling
Details of young person: 19 year old female living in a refuge. Requesting individual counseling to assist with dealing with issues related to her family, including trauma, protective services involvement, relationships with her siblings, refugee & CLD considerations. She also has a small child.
Gaps in services: No services currently available
Own provider / assistance: Refuge worker requested assistance to find an appropriate counsellor
Funds used for: Individual counselling and discretionary funds for child minding while in counselling
Sessions requested: 6 -10
Cost: $110 / session + $25 per session for child minding
Case Study 3
Service accessing brokerage: SAAP service (outer metro)
Funding requested: Reconciliation – counselling
Details of young person: 22 year old male supported by SAAP. Wanting to reconcile with family and siblings. Individual counseling requested, possibly followed by request for family mediation.
Gaps in services: There are services but long waiting lists.
Own provider / assistance: Worker has own contact – young person has had contact with the counsellor in the past.
Funds used for: Individual counselling and possibly family mediation
Sessions requested: 6 for counselling and 3 for mediation
Cost: $80 / session
Brokerage Contacts:
Yin Zhang - Brokerage Liaison Worker
T: 03 8625 4479 E: frmpbrokerage@mcm.org.au
