Annual

Report

IPSWICH COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE

2020/2021

ICYS acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we work, and on which this report is being viewed.


We acknowledge and pay respect to the voices of elders past, present and emerging and the invaluable input that they contribute to our communities, and the guidance they provide to our service.

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

Katrina Mackenzie, Chairperson

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

Amanda Margerison,

CEO

The annual CEO report is a chance to stop and reflect on the previous financial year and look ahead with hope and promise of what’s to come. Given we are in the midst of a pandemic, if anyone knows what we can expect next, I would love to hear from you. When I accepted this position almost 12 years ago, I would never have predicted I would be managing this organisation through a pandemic, and while there have been many sleepless nights, excessive information to digest and changing goal posts, what stood out to me most over the past year was the resilience of my staff and their willingness to put the needs of our community first.

       

Over the past 20 months, we have come to love or loathe words and phrases such as we are all in this together, the new normal and I can’t forget the importance of pivoting to ensure we remain relevant. While we were always aware of our role in supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, being an essential service was definitely felt by the team over the last financial year. Demand for support increased in the 2020/21 reporting period, and the number of children and young people we supported during this time subsequently grew. Last financial year we had an increase in client numbers across all program areas including a 6% increase in our Regional Youth Support Service, a 9% increase in our Community Youth Response & Diversion program, a 25% increase in our Youth Housing and Support Program, and 27% increases in both our Youth Support Coordinator program and our Youth Assessment Referral & Information Service.   



While many organisations and businesses were laying off staff and moving to remote working in 2020/21, we secured three new primary school contracts at the start of the financial year, adding to the eight existing school-based contracts we already proudly held. In addition, we created a number of new positions including a Programs Manager, Business Support Officer, Activities Worker, Events Coordinator, and an additional Housing Support Worker position to assist with increased demand. 

  

ICYS staff remained onsite during all lockdowns, and during school and TAFE closures, and continued to visit young people at their homes and in public places – physically distanced of course. Our after-hours Street Outreach continued 6 nights a week, every week. Staff continued to attend schools, detention centres, transport young people for essential purposes and encouraged their young people’s continued engagement in everyday tasks such as learning at home, attending school, training, employment, meeting statutory reporting obligations and of course mask wearing.


I am surrounded by the most amazing staff and a community of passionate service providers, partners and supporters who regularly remind me that we are all in this together. Every day our children, young people and families reap the benefit of our joined-up programs within ICYS, funded by the Queensland Government and supported by our partnerships across schools, training providers, government agencies, businesses and other community organisations. The achievements outlined in this year’s annual report are a direct result of committed staff and collaborative partnerships and I encourage you all to take a moment, as you peruse the contents of this report, to reflect on your role in our collective achievements. We are an amazing community, thank you. 


The enduring support of the ICYS Management Committee, who support my creative and often over-ambitious ideas, are the backbone to everything we do here at ICYS. This year, we will farewell two long-term committee members. After dedicating 11 years to the ICYS Management Committee, our current Chairperson, Katrina Mackenzie, is stepping down to focus on new opportunities. Our current Secretary, Aaron Athorn is also stepping down after 8 years of service. Both have been such strong advocates for everything we do here at ICYS and while their absence from the committee will be felt, their impact will long remain.


Lastly, I am beyond proud that the end of the 2021 calendar year marks our 25th anniversary delivering the Youth Support Coordinator (YSC) program in partnership with local high schools. As an almost 17-year veteran of the YSC role myself, and having worked alongside some of the best Youth Support Coordinators, including Bree Mansell who has been a YSC for over 14 years, I can confidently say that this program has ensured that thousands of young people who would have otherwise fallen through the cracks were able to remain at school, address barriers impacting on their engagement, transition to employment and succeed in life. While that might sound simplistic, the commitment of our partner-schools and our amazing team of Youth Support Coordinators is one of the best partnership models that I have experienced in 20 years in the sector. Congratulations to everyone involved in this 25-year partnership. I look forward to welcoming new schools and new opportunities in 2022, and continuing to Empower Tomorrow’s Decisions.


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

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

ICYS 2020/2021

Financial Snapshot

Total Income/ Operating Revenue:

$2,441,403

Grant/ program income:

$2,325,122

Overall consolidated net surplus:

$203,852

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

A young person was referred to the YARI program after experiencing issues related to living without parental support and struggling to afford necessities such as rent, groceries and toiletries. After meeting with the young person, it revealed a history of trauma and difficult relationships with close family members. The young person was unable to move in with her parents and the young person had a just commenced a traineeship wanted to continue living with her siblings who were working in trades at entry level positions. The young person also attended a private school and was having difficulty in managing costs associated with this.


The YARI worker was able to provide the young person with a food hamper and toiletries and guided them through the process for Centrelink support to reduce financial pressures. The YARI worker was able to advocate for the young person through the Centrelink process and was able to successfully gain youth allowance. This has allowed the young person to continue at their private school and contribute to the weekly costs of rent, school supplies and other necessities.


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

I love working with the ICYS community because everyone is super friendly and I've come a long way since working with my ICYS worker-


They've helped me through some of my toughest times and I believe they are the best people to work with

RYSS Client

Youth housing

and support

(YHAS)

Supported a 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 Rachael and Dance"


"Dance is the best part of school"

-Participants in the Dance program run by SWW at Bundamba State School

youth support cooRdinators

(YSCs)

4 State

High Schools

Ipswich State High School

Bundamba State Secondary College

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

25%

Homeless or at risk of

19%

School refusal/ non attendance

25%

Learning Difficulties

15%

Mental Health Concerns

34%

Bullying/ conflict

17%

Financial Difficulties

27%

Conflict w parent/guardian

28%

Social/ Peer Links

30%

2018/ 2019

Difficulties in family relationships

31%

Learning Difficulties

29%

Mental Health Concerns

50%

Homeless or at risk of

20%

Bullying/ conflict

37%

Conflict with school personnel

26%

School refusal/ non attendance

33%

Conflict w parent/guardian

23%

Social/ Peer Links

34%

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

Interview

Harley -

Get Set For Work

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

38% have improved family relationships


53% have improved peer choices and relationships

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

Our Funding Bodies

Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs


Department of Employment, Small Business and Training


Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy


Department of Education


Partner Schools

Goodna Special School


Ipswich West State School


Riverview State School


Glenore Grove State School


Amberley District State School


Bundamba State School


Jindalee State School


Toogoolawah State School


Partner Schools


Ipswich State High School


Bundamba State Secondary College


Woodcrest State College


Centenary State High School


THANK YOU

Thank you to all our partners, supporters and donors who have contributed to all we have achieved in 2020-2021

HEAD OFFICE

15-17 Thorn Street

IPSWICH QLD 4305

Phone Number

(07) 3812 1050

website