1. What happens when I go to the Shelter?
To begin with, you and your children are made safe and comfortable. As soon as you are ready, the Shelter support workers will sit with you to conduct a Risk Assessment and develop a Safety Plan with you as a matter of priority.
The steps below outline the general process followed by the Shelter support workers:
- Your immediate safety needs are determined and actions are put in place to ensure your (and your children’s) safety.
- Once safe, your eligibility for admission is determined. You are then screened and admitted if eligible.
- Risk Assessment is then undertaken based on Common Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework.
- From here, a Safety and Support Plan (Risk Management) strategy is developed – Staff will work with you to develop, implement and monitor plans.
- Ongoing Case Management then occurs to address daily functioning;
i) Information is shared with relevant service providers (subject to your approval)
ii) Referrals are made to relevant organisations (subject to your approval
iii) Follow up support is also available once and when you leave the Shelter
2. What about people who don’t have English as their first language?
The Shelter has a great network of local people who can help with Aboriginal and some other languages. If need be, the Shelter can contact a trusted interpreter via a phone service.
3. Do I have to be able to pay for The Shelter or other services?
Women staying at the Shelter are not required to pay fees if they have no means of doing so. Women are only asked to contribute what they can afford.
4. What if I haven’t got any money?
We can help you gain access to emergency relief and to meet your immediate needs. We can also help put you in contact with Centrelink and other services that can assist you.
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5. How long can I stay at the Shelter?
The Shelter is a short stay residence. Some clients stay only for 1 night, while other stay for an extended period. Our priority is to ensure you remain safe.
6. What is a Safety Plan
When you enter, or make contact with, the Shelter the support staff will work with you to develop a Personal Safety and Support Plan. Basically, it:
- Describes what is to be done to increase safety, prepare in advance for the possibility of further violence and maps out what support shelter staff can provide the client and her children while in The Shelter and after leaving.
- Is usually written up by a staff member after a Risk Assessment, but it is owned by the client.
- Involves other support people, such as friends and family etc depending on what the client believes will be helpful.
- Includes work and actions to meet the needs of the client’s children.