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Making a positive difference
Family Worker Project
Integricare Family Worker Project operates in the St George
region and is funded by the NSW Government
Department of Family and Community Services. Family
workers work to improve the outcomes and well-being of
families with young children by providing support for
parenting, and facilitating informal support groups and
access to appropriate services. Family workers assist
parents to understand their child’s development and
support them to develop confidence with parenting skills.
Bianca, a migrant from Bangladesh, was referred to
Integricare family worker Project after having her second
child and moving to the area. She had previously suffered
from Post Natal Depression and was struggling with the day
to day duties and isolation of leaving behind a strong
support network of family, friends and specialists. She was
also a victim of domestic violence. When initially working
with the family it was crucial to establish a culturally
sensitive relationship built on trust and commitment.
Through the case management process we worked directly
with the family to identify their needs taking into account
the presence of complex and generational trauma. We
identified the goals that she wanted to achieve and set to
work achieving them one step at a time.The family was
consistently supported and linked to other services with the
whole process deeply rooted in identifying and working with
the client’s strengths and taking a client centred and child
focused approach. Our aim is to create an environment that
encourages families’ ability to trust, feel safe and connected
while promoting a healthy environment. We hope to deliver
an empowering service with a holistically supportive approach
Binita Dhungel Ghimire
in partnerships with other community agencies with the
common goal of reaching the best possible outcome for
all involved.
By engaging with our service we were able to help Bianca to
access Allawah Care’s food pantry who supplied her with
fresh food. Bianca and her children began attending our
supported playgroup and creating links with other mums
and children re-establishing their social network. She is
taking care of her mental and emotional wellbeing by
engaging with health care specialists and is now actively
looking for work as she feels much more in control of her life
and her ability to independently manage her day to day
tasks.Through support, education and information Bianca’s
confidence has grown and she has realised the importance
of self-care and having her personal needs met to promote
positive change. She now feels connected to the community.