Transcript Adolescent & Family Counsellor (AFC)

Adolescent & Family
Counsellor (AFC)
AFC Project is a non – government
community service to support &
care for parents & teenagers.
To Serve The Community In The Belief That
Together We Can Make A Difference
Funding Body
 AFC Project is funded by the Department of
Community Services through Community
Service Grants Program (CSGP)
 AFC Project is auspiced by the Jesmond
Neighbourhood Centre, premises owned by
the Newcastle City Council
Target Area
 The AFC project at Jesmond
Neighbourhood Centre services the
Newcastle City Local Government Area.
Target Group
 Consumers of AFC services are families with
teenaged children requiring support, counselling
&/or referral to meet their unique assessed needs.
 Presenting issues may include: family breakdown,
homelessness, at risk behaviours, challenging
behaviours, educational struggles, drug/alcohol
related problems, relationship difficulties,
sexuality, emotional, physical, sexual abuse,
mental health issues
Outcomes sought for the project
 To promote & support families as a functional unit
wherever possible
 To provide an integrated counselling approach that
promotes, facilitates, & supports change in the interaction
between young people & their families
 To foster reconciliation with young people and their families
leading to the young person staying in the family home or
being restored to the family where acceptable &
appropriate
 To foster client self determination and promote emotional
growth & independence
 To provide early intervention before major issues occur
Activities that help deliver these
outcomes
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Counselling
Support
Advocacy
Education
Information
Referral to specialist agencies
Act as a resource for other agencies
Highlights of the Project
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Working with young people & their families
Witnessing positive outcomes for clients
Working collaboratively with other centre Projects
Co-service provision with FASP
Excellent relationship with outside agencies
Worked to successfully restructure Newcastle
Youth Accommodation Services Limited
 Attended relevant training to meet consumer
needs
 Being part of a supportive, professional team
Barrier to service provision
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Inadequate funding
Limited resources
Limited space
Time constraints
Inadequate referral agencies for youth
Points for stakeholders.
 AFC project secured funding through Hunter New England
Health (HNEH) to set up a Community Drug Action Team
(CDAT) which involves local members of the community
raising awareness of drug and alcohol issues and
addressing these issues within their local community
 AFC is the representative for secondary NSP (Harm
Minimization Program) at Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre
 AFC is a Board of Directors member for NYASL
(Newcastle Youth Accommodation Services Limited) for
young people out of home