Annual
Report
IPSWICH COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE
2020/2021
About Us
ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service, a not-for-profit community based organisation, has been providing assistance and support to children and young people, their families and their communities across five local government areas since 1983.
As a multi-service organisation, ICYS provides a range of support programs and activities to assist and empower young people to make positive choices and decisions for their future.
Our People
Staff Positions
39
Management
Committee
Members
6
New Positions Created
10
The Year in Numbers
Increase in Income since 2014/2015
$1,789,941
Service Delivery Locations
4 high schools
6 primary schools
1 special school
1 TAFE
3 offices
Amount of Children and Young People Supported
3,191
Chairperson's Report
It is with great pleasure that I present the Chairperson’s AGM Report for 2020-2021. Sadly for me, I am standing down from my role on the Ipswich Community Youth Service Management Committee after several very enjoyable and rewarding years as member\secretary\treasurer and most recently, Chairperson.
Throughout 2020-2021, Ipswich Community Youth Service has continued to excel at supporting the youth of our region in many areas including: Information, Support and Referral through the YARI and RYSS programs, Education Engagement through the YSC and Student Welfare Worker Programs, Housing and Homelessness through the YHAS program, Employment and Training through the Get Set For Work Program and intensive case management to young people engaged with the police or youth justice systems through the Community Youth Response and Diversion Program.
The Management Committee is comprised of truly amazing, community-minded people, and this year has been no exception - I am proud to have worked alongside Aaron, Vanessa, David, Kathryn and Kathy throughout the year in support of CEO Amanda as she leads her dedicated and highly skilled team to meet challenges head-on and consistently exceed our expectations.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the members of the Management Committee, Amanda and her Team all the very best for the coming year, and to say ‘Thank You’ for allowing me to be part of this wonderful organisation – it has been an honour and a privilege for which I am truly grateful.
CEO
Report
Stuff Amanda says
ICYS 2020/2021
Financial Snapshot
Total assets: $2,533,624
Total liabilities: $455,550.00
Total Equity: $2,078,074
2014-
2015
2017-
2018
2020-
2021
Assets
Liabilities
Total Equity
$0
$2,000,000
$4,000,000
$6,000,000
ICYS 2020/2021
Financial Snapshot
Total Income/ Opening Revenue:
$2,441,403.00
Grant/ program income:
$2,325,122.00
Overall consolidated net surplus:
$203,852.00
youth assessment
referral and information
(YARI)
Supported 283 young people
Made 133 referrals to support specific clients needs
Main referral sources received:
Police
Health
Family/ friends
Good News Story
The young person (YP) was referred to the ICYS YARI program by an existing client of the ICYS YARI program. The YP stated that they were 16 and living independently, but struggling to afford basic life necessities, such as rent, groceries and toiletries.
During the YP’s intake appointment with YARI worker, the YP disclosed that they had been removed from their mother’s care by the Department of Child Safety when they were young due to their mother’s addiction to substances. The YP stated that they had not had any contact with their mother since this time. The YP explained to YARI worker that they had a strained relationship with their father due to a history of unstable living with him. The YP stated that their father would kick them and their siblings out onto the streets whenever he entered into a new relationship. The YP reported that they moved of their father’s household with their siblings at the earliest opportunity to do so. The YP stated that their father no longer supported them or their siblings and had moved 2 hours out of Ipswich. The YP stated that their father would not allow the YP to live with him, even if the YP wanted to.
The YP reported that they were in the process of completing a traineeship at KFC, and as such, were only earning $10.92 p/h with a minimum working week of 10 hours. The YP reported that they were living with their two older brothers (aged 18 and 21), who were both apprentices. The YP stated that their brothers were attempting to supplement the YP’s income, but were struggling due to being low-income earners themselves.
The YP stated that they were currently enrolled at a local private school, which was the first school where they had friends that they could relate to. The YP indicated that they had already spoken to the school about a concession on school fees, but were concerned about their ability to pay school fees at all, given their financial situation.
SUPPORT PROVIDED:
ICYS provided the YP with a City Hope food hamper, a toiletries bag (including shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, a tooth brush, tampons and soap), toilet paper and some additional female sanitary items.
ICYS guided the YP through the application process for Youth Allowance with Centrelink and advocated on behalf of the young person.
OUTCOME:
The YP successfully applied for Youth Allowance (Living Away From Home) through Centrelink and was back paid $1,200. As a result, the YP has been able to financially support themselves, including purchasing their own food, school supplies and other necessities.
The YP has been able to continue their enrolment at their private school.
Regional Youth
Support Service
(RYSS)
Supported 204 young people
*115 direct/ 89 indirect
Main presenting issues:
Difficulties in family relationships
Mental health concerns
School/ education engagement
Main areas:
1.Lowood
2.Laidley/
Laidley North
3.Gatton
Quote
Youth housing
and support
(YHAS)
Supporteda total of 802 people
Supported 335 young people with intensive case management
Assisted 128 young people and 91 children, aged 8 & under, to obtain stable accommodation
Provided 44 young people with temporary accommodation (including 29 children, 8 & under)
Quote
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all you’ve done to help me get a place for my girls to live in. I really appreciate it and I’m so incredibly thankful for your help.
YHAS Client
student wellbeing workers
(SWW)
Located in 6 state
primary schools and
1 special school
Support includes- group work, in class support, parent support, community projects
15 different types of group work run across the schools
Quote
"This was the best time ever!"
"I can't believe I did that!"
"We love Miss Rachel and Dance"
"Dance is the best part of school"
-Participants in the Dance program run by SWW at Bundamba State School
youth support coodinators
(YSCs)
4 State
High Schools
Ipswich State High School
Bundamba State High School
Woodcrest State College
Centenary State High School
40 different groups
*with 383 participants and over 200 individual sessions
558 direct clients and 363 indirect clients
Top 3 presenting issues
1.Social and/or peer links
2.Mental health concerns
3.Bullying / harassment / conflict with peers
Quote
I love that I can talk freely without any judgement.
I love having a safe space where I can say what I want and not feel like anyone will think anything different of me or get me in trouble.
The YSC has made a huge difference to my wellbeing
-YSC Client
YSC Top 10 Presenting Issues
Difficulties in family relationships
10.8%
Homeless or at risk of
8.2%
School refusal/ non attendance
10.8%
Learning Difficulties
6.5%
Mental Health Concerns
14.7%
Bullying/ conflict
7.3%
Financial Difficulties
11.6%
Conflict w parent/guardian
12.1%
Social/ Peer Links
12.9%
2018/ 2019
Homeless or at risk of
6.4%
Bullying/ conflict
11.5%
Learning Difficulties
9%
Mental Health Concerns
11.5%
Social/ Peer Links
17.9%
Conflict w parent/guardian
7.7%
School refusal/ non attendance
10.3%
2020/2021
Get Set for work
(GSFW)
52 participants successfully gained a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations or statement of attainment
of these 90% went on to employment and/or further training
Quote
I personally would recommend this course to any parent who feels their child is disconnected from their community/school and feels like their secular future is bleak.
Any child who is not engaged with school anymore and has self-esteem issues can benefit from doing this course even if it is not the career direction, they see themselves going. This course will set up a young person with so much more than career prospects.
It got (J) back into a supportive learning environment, mixing with other people and learning lots of new skills including communication. He is now feeling confident and ready to go into his Certificate 3 in Hospitality.
- Parent of a GFSW participant
community youth response and diversion
(CYRD)
297 nights of outreach
60 intensive case support clients
73% of intensive case support clients have reduced offending behaviour
60% have improved engagement in education/training/
employment
42 drop in sessions with 330 attendees
Good News Story
CYRD Clients participated in Equine Therapy this year
Equine-assisted psychotherapy incorporates horses into the therapeutic process. CYRD clients were able to engage in activities such as grooming, feeding, and leading a horse while being supervised by a mental health professional.
Goals of this form of therapy include helping people develop skills such as emotional regulation, self-confidence, and responsibility and help YP navigate challenging emotional experiences..
Activities
worker
17 school holiday activities
28 online comps and 123 Facebook Posts
7 community stalls
42 drop in sessions with 330 attendees
Quote
We just wanted to say thank you to you and your team for such a great party yesterday. T. and A. had lots of fun and were very talkative afterwards.
You were all so happy, warm and cheerful which made it easier for the girls to enjoy themselves. Such a great program.
We look forward to future games and activities.
-Parent of School Holiday Program Participant