Tribal Voice

In May 2004 the NSW Ombudsman produced a report: Assisting Homeless People – the need to improve their access to accommodation and support services. The inquiry found that exclusionary policies and practices were adversely affecting access by the most vulnerable groups to Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) services. In some cases, this seemed to contravene significant legislated guidelines and anti-discrimination legislation. People with alcohol and other drug dependency issues, mental illness and brain related physical disabilities were affected.

One response by peak bodies was to develop a client assessment risk tool and risk management process that would be implemented through training. Age Communications won the tender and Tribe Research is helping in a variety of areas to support this research on various service foci and levels. We have been working with Age Communications on the SAAP Client Risk Assessment Project and the Workshop evaluations of the trial training program. They are being run successfully throughout New South Wales.

Tribe Research and Age Communications project was Highly Commended at the WorkCover Safe Work Awards 2006 in the Best Solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue category.

The SAAP Client Risk Assessment Tool and Process consists of a six step process of Trigger Questions, Follow-up Questions, Severity of Risk, Risk Management Strategies, Decision and Evaluation. It has been implemented through training programs across NSW.

The project was funded by NSW DoCS with a steering committee of HomelessnessNSW.ACT, Women’s Refuge Resource Centre, Youth Accommodation Association of NSW, NGO Training Unit, and NSW Council of Social Services.

This post was extracted from our Spring 2005 and Spring 2006 Tribal Voice newsletters.