Providing Support for Students with Social Wellbeing Concerns

1. Providing Support for Studentswith Social Wellbeing Concerns Angela Rodgers, BSW

2. Agenda • Introductions • Reasons why the role was created • How the role was developed and integrated into University Life • Relationship building • Reactive approaches when working with students in crisis • Pro active approaches to prevent crises • Funding • Conclusion Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

3. What brought about creating a social worker position at Curtin • The Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP). • Anticipation of an increase of students with wellbeing concerns • The need for a streamlined approach across the University and for students to be supported by a trained professional Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

4. Role development: Commencement Day • Student Support and Outreach Coordinator (SOC) • Position Description included “provide individual and case management support to student with complex and high support needs.” • The concept of a social worker within counselling had been established but it was unknown exactly what this would look like ie: referral, timeframes, scheduling, tasks Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

5. Role Development-In the beginning • Liaising with on campus support services • Professional experience in case management and risk assessment to developed intake assessment guidelines, referral systems and time frames • An operational manual was created. • A marketing strategy was developed Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

6. Role Development: Networking and integrating my role into the University Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

7. Integration in to CDS • Relationship building within the CDS team was key -meeting with CDS team individually -exploring their understanding of my role and what type of task would be beneficial to reduce their case loads • Building trust and proving I had the professional capacity to do the job • Case consultation and keeping the team informed Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

8. Integrating into Unilife and the University Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

9. Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

10. Connecting to Agencies outside the University • Being new to Perth and developing a resources list specific to University students needs • St. Vincent De Paul was one of the most significant and important connections • Important resources include: SARC, DVAS, St Vincent, Crises Care line, WA Police, hostels and homeless shelters Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

11. Role Development: Now Properties (security) CDS Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

12. So what does the SOC do? Health FinancialStaff Consultation Networking Emergency Relief Organisational support Transportation Ask Angela Boards Welfare checks Hygiene Nutritional support Social Wellbeing Workshops Support Victims of Crime Advocacy Support Domestic Violence/family concerns Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

13. Stats and Work Load 44 Students = $1 million • 711 Check-ins • 568 meetings • 340 other appointments • 24 group programs, orientation sessions, HA training, welcome dinners + organising 4 Mental Health First Aid training • Stalls, facility visits and promotion of the services • Internal and external consultation and referrals • Committees ie: alcohol campaign, promotions team, SCRT, Mental Health Week Footer text - slideshow title

14. Referral Process Supporting Students with Social Wellbeing Concerns

15. Proactive/Reactive Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

16. Contributes to a safe and secure environment; Utilises proactive and preventative approach; Identifies concerning or threatening behaviour; Conducts risk assessment of concerning and/or threatening behaviour; Provides support at all stages of responding to behaviour and/or situation of concern; Provides support to those who are affected. Safer Community Program - Purpose

17. Attends to: Threat of suicide or self-harm; Threat of physical violence towards others; Alleged criminal acts including assault, domestic violence, stalking; Mental Health concerns which will have an effect on Campus support services, students, and staff. Student who have been reported as “missing” by Curtin employees or family members. Safer Community Program

18. Members: Deputy Head of the Counselling and Disability Services, Supervisor of Security, Medical Director of Curtin Health Services, Associate Director of Housing, Student Disciplinary and Appeals Officer, SOC Chaired: Director of Support Services Meetings on a fortnightly bases or as needed Confidentiality Safer Community Program

19. Funding • Emergency Relief Funding-St Vincent De Paul • Emergency Relief Funding-HEPPP • Donations-International Emergency Relief • Student Guild-Bookshop Grants, free food, legal assist, reboot project • Scholarships • Loan • Hardship funding • Merit and Needs based scholarships Supporting Students with Social Wellbeing Concerns

20. Promotional Material • Brochures • Banners/posters • Word of mouth • Email reminders • Networking Supporting Student with Social Wellbeing Concerns

21. Questions? Supporting Student With Social Wellbeing Concerns