UnitingCare Queensland

Protecting children is everybody’s business. At UnitingCare, this principle is at the heart of everything we do. We embed it in our daily practices across all our services. This year’s Child Protection Week theme, ‘Every Conversation Matters,’ inspires us to reflect on how we can further our efforts to ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and heard, regardless of their circumstances. As adults, we set the tone for creating safe environments for children, both physically and emotionally. Deeply listening to young people with genuine intent is crucial. When children feel heard, they are more likely to share their thoughts and feelings, fostering a sense of trust. A trusting relationship between a supportive adult and a child significantly enhances safety and leads to positive outcomes. We encourage everyone to keep conversations ongoing so we can collectively build communities where every child has a fair go and feels like they belong. #ChildProtectionWeek #EveryConversationMatters #FairGoForEveryChild

After presenting at the recent Family & Relationship Services Australia conference, our Research and Knowledge Manager, Chez L., was asked what motivates and challenges her in her role. See her responses below. At UnitingCare, we’re exceptionally proud of the dedicated individuals who work together, combining their collective experience and expertise to design, implement, and measure a wide range of services that benefit communities across Queensland. #community #care #makingadifference

As we celebrate Multicultural Queensland Month, we’re proud to share the story of Sanesie Dukuly (Sanoussy Doukoure), a valued member of our diverse workforce. Born in Liberia and raised in a refugee camp in Guinea, Sanesie was resettled to Australia by the United Nations in 2005. Today, he is a well-respected figure in the Queensland multicultural sector and a proud father, uncle, and community leader.   This past weekend, Sanesie's ongoing work and dedication to enabling workplace diversity, inclusion, and belonging were recognised by being named a finalist for the Community Leadership Award at the Inaugural Migrant Expo. Sanesie serves as the Statewide Multicultural Practice Lead and Chair of the Talanoa Group, a multicultural leadership group, at UnitingCare’s Family and Disability Services. His role involves ensuring our policies, practices, and programs are inclusive and responsive to the needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. He develops tools, delivers learning initiatives, and creates practice frameworks to support consistent engagement with diverse, multicultural communities. As a refugee who grew up with nothing but hope, Sanesie’s purpose aligns perfectly with our mission at UnitingCare. He is committed to advocating for the disadvantaged, fostering unity and peaceful coexistence, and ensuring everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and a sense of belonging. This month, the Talanoa Group, is hosting morning teas, lunches, and afternoon teas across the state. These gatherings not only build stronger bonds but also promote empathy and mutual respect. They provide a relaxed and informal setting for people to come together, share their stories, and deepen their understanding of different cultures. Sanesie says, "By celebrating Multicultural Queensland Month in such an inclusive and engaging manner, we reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion. It’s a powerful reminder that our differences are not something to be tolerated but celebrated, as they make our community stronger and more vibrant. #UnitingCare #MulticulturalQueenslandMonth  #MQM24 #Diversity #Inclusion

Do you know a young person with a disability whose potential needs an opportunity so they can shine? Project SEARCH is an immersive work-based internship program that allows young people to expand their experience and develop their skills while increasing their confidence and self-esteem in a supportive, tailored, structured real-world environment. Over 12 months, interns participate in three 11-week internships within a workplace. These internships enable them to learn and engage with different departments and provide them with diverse marketable job skills when they embark on their job-seeking journey. Our next program begins in August, so if you know someone who recently finished high school or tertiary studies or is seeking avenues to stable and rewarding employment, we'd love to share this opportunity with them. The basic details - Project SEARCH is open to young adults with NDIS funding.  This August internship intake will be with UnitingCare's head office in Brisbane City, which is close to public transport. - The program is tailored to each intern, with their program designed to maximise their potential by placing them within functions and roles matched to their skills and long-term ambitions.  Interns attend the workplace five days a week for six hours a day, actively engaging in all aspects of the team and office environment. They receive coaching, feedback, and ongoing support at every stage. To find out more please email your contact details to [email protected], and we'll call you with more information. 

Upcoming changes to the UnitingCare Queensland Board of Directors: We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Demack - Partner Gadens as the new Board Chair, effective 1 July 2024. Jim has been a member of the UnitingCare Queensland Board since September 2021 and brings with him a wealth of experience in law and governance. His strategic insight and collaborative approach will undoubtedly strengthen our organisation as we continue to serve our community. Nigel Alexander, who was appointed to the Board in May 2017 and has served as Chair since July 2018, will be concluding his term and departing from the Board on 30 June 2024. Nigel's dedication and expertise have been invaluable to UnitingCare Queensland, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his diligent leadership and commitment. Please join us in thanking Nigel for his outstanding service and welcoming Jim into his new role.

UnitingCare Queensland full circle award nominations are open. Have you worked with someone who you would like to recognise for their contribution? Here's what you need to do: 1. Visit https://lnkd.in/gVxRUAHA 2. Register an account (if on mobile phone, scroll down to access). 3. Complete your entry and submit via the online platform. All information is kept secure. Any questions or for further assistance please email [email protected]. Nominations close 21 June

🌏 Today, and every day, we're standing against ageism and advocating for older Australians' right to live free from abuse. Elder abuse, stemming from ageism, includes stereotyping, discrimination, and mistreatment based on age. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) highlights the importance of advocating for older people's rights and ensuring they are safeguarded against all forms of abuse. ➡️ If you or someone you know needs help or information about elder abuse, contact the Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192 or (07) 3867 2525 (from outside QLD). ➡️ The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, run by UnitingCare Queensland since 1997, is dedicated to combating elder abuse. To learn more about their work, visit: https://eapu.com.au. #WEAAD #WorldElderAbuseDay #Ageism

Saturday 15 June is World Elder Abuse Day, a day to voice opposition to the abuse of older people. It is an annual initiative launched by The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the World Health Organization. Elder abuse comes in many forms. Share this post to stand together against the abuse, mistreatment and neglect of older people. Learn more → https://bit.ly/4ci4xGH

“How do I ensure everyone belongs?” This was the question posed by our Family and Disabilities Group Executive, Donna Shkalla, at the start of our 4th annual Multicultural Symposium, an event for UnitingCare's community service practitioners. This year’s theme, “Fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: Where everyone belongs,” brought together community leaders and CEOs from across the cultural and community services sectors to delve into ways of creating and enabling access to services for Queensland’s growing multicultural communities. A recurring theme across many presentations was to go where it is uncomfortable, as that is how we'll deepen understanding and create positive impacts. Keynote speaker Christine Castley, CEO of Multicultural Australia, reminded us that belonging is more than a word; it’s a human need. When people belong, they thrive. Samah Shda, CEO/Founder of Unbound Stories, challenged us to use the power of storytelling to change the narrative of refugees and migrants. Peter Forday, Director of Forday Consulting, highlighted the differences between diversity, inclusion, and belonging, detailing how we can create space to learn and find a third way of doing things, to enable others to belong. Andrea Obeyeseekere from Centacare FNQ said for people to feel like they belong, they need to have dignity, which comes from learning, earning and participating in the community. Elijah Buol OAM, MAICD, CEO of Act for Peace, shared his journey to leadership but said you don’t need a title to be a leader, and to lead is to build those up around you. Our lively panel discussions put leaders from organisations and Faiths in the spotlight, sharing their views on their responsibilities to foster inclusivity and create belonging and how they were doing it. UnitingCare’s Multicultural lead Sanesie Dukuly spoke with Gail Ker OAM from Social Policy Group, who said, that being in the community services sector, means you're always finding gaps and ways to do more. Sanesie expressed that after listening and learning from all the community and sector leaders at the Symposium, it was evident that there is more to do, but we’re working on it, which means there’s hope. “All we have is hope. Hope keeps you going; it allows people to belong, and we all play a role in using that hope and working towards inclusion and belonging.” Thank you to all our guests, Christine Castley, Samah Shda, Peter Forday Mayor Jon Raven, Sally Stewart, Fardowsa Yussuf, Pele Ramdhani, Rev Dr Peter Armstrong, Samantha McDonell, Emil Rahimov, Violet Langan, Victor A. Kollie, Habib Jamal, Gail Ker OAM DUniv, Elijah Buol OAM, for joining us at this year's Symposium. Your insights and perspectives enabled our teams to reflect on their practice and draw energy from those around them that they'll now take back to the communities they serve, to foster inclusion and create space where everyone belongs. #Inclusion #Diversity #Belonging #Multiculturalism #Community  

Working in child and family support services can be rewarding and fulfilling, but it's complex and often difficult too. UnitingCare is proud to partner with Southern Cross University and PeakCare Queensland to launch our latest research report "Supporting Staff Wellbeing in Child Welfare Services". Using a systems approach, this project examined how broader elements such as organisational culture, leadership, government policy and funding models can influence worker wellbeing at the frontline. Join us online on Wednesday 19 June, as we discuss the findings. Register for the no cost event here: https://bit.ly/4bTNieC #staffwellbeing #workplacesustainability #burnout #evidence #webinar