Allambi Care is one of the largest providers of out of home care in NSW, specialising in the provision of Intensive Therapeutic Care to some of the states most complex and vulnerable children and young people. Allambi Care also specialise in a range of supports such as foster care, NDIS, homelessness supports, clinical and outreach services across NSW and Victoria.

Since 1981, Allambi have worked with the vulnerable members of the community to support them to achieve belonging, safety, and connection. They are a comprehensive, multidisciplined and recognised leader in the field of service delivery for individuals and families. Allambi programs and services are created to empower those within this community to reach their full potential and to support them towards a positive future. The model of care at Allambi is about creating a genuine connection that has a real impact on an individual’s or family’s life. This is done by building supportive relationships, consistency of care and trust, and having staff trained to view things through a trauma-informed lens.

Allambi Care recognise the value of investing in their people, while it is easy to pour funding into direct goods and services, the long term impact of lifting the qualification and skills of staff is immeasurable. Allambi have developed a Professional Development Pathway of in-house training programs which include Core Training, Probationary Learning, Role Specific Training, a Diploma in Community Services and an undergraduate Bachelor of Human Services. Allambi also provide specialised training in Cultural Awareness, Practice Reflection, Case Planning and various training offered on a needs basis. It is this Professional Development Pathway that places Allambi as a leader in the sector for training innovation and excellence by providing a completely work-integrated program offered to Allambi employees and now to the wider sector.

THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

Many of the potential employees seeking a career with Allambi are individuals with huge empathy and goodwill who want to make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. Unfortunately, having a big-heart is not always enough. In NSW, when children enter the out of home care sector they receive support from care staff known as carers, support workers or youth workers who are often untrained and without qualifications. Allambi has a focus on ensuring that they are innovative and flexible and support staff to develop the required skills to make the caring role successful for staff and the vulnerable people they support.

The Professional Development Pathway is uniquely developed to guide the work of Allambi’s staff including Intensive Therapeutic (Residential) Care staff, Lifemaps (disability) staff, foster carers, family support staff, caseworkers and clinicians. The design of the training is based on the commitment to respond to the multiple needs of people rather than requiring them to adjust to a pre-determined course booklet. Whilst this is an important element and is comprehensively met, the design and delivery of the Professional Development Pathway is always about enhancing practice and tailoring it to be current, relevant and engaging.

A critical component in the design of the training is that staff undertake workplace assessment with the clients they work with everyday, ensuring those individuals feel safe, connected and secure. This is a non-intrusive approach that enables minimal disruption to the child, young person or individual’s routine. In addition, many of the assessments provide clients with the experience of an extra-curricular activity with their support workers, enhancing well-being and quality of care.

Current qualification rates are:

• 424 staff have completed the Diploma of Community Services
• 41 are currently enrolled in the Diploma of Community Services
• 59 staff have completed the Bachelor of Human Services
• 11 are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Human Services
• 5 staff are currently undertaking further post graduate study

In 2021, Allambi won the NSW Training Awards Industry Collaboration Award for their work with the Bradford Institute of Advanced Education and was a finalist in the Large Employer of the Year Award recognising the hard work the L&D team have undertaken since 2015. Allambi are now delivering this training to other agencies in the sector across Australia, having been recognised as an industry leader in innovation and training excellence.

The core focus of the Professional Development Pathway has always been to enhance outcomes for the staff of Allambi, the organisation, clients and in turn, the wider community. Those benefits reflected by students, the organisation and sector have included:

• Improved outcomes for children, young people and families Allambi support through retention, quality of care, carer consistency, evidence based intervention and innovative approaches to care.
• Increased safety for young people and staff.
• Staff wellbeing, role satisfaction and some of the most highly qualified and experienced staff in the industry.
• Staff are committed to Allambi Care and see the value in having consistent relationships with young people.
• Genuine networking opportunities for staff.
• Staff have a sense of empowerment – providing an opportunity for staff and client to feel confident.
• Creating employment for those in the region who are now eligible for work and go on to undertake sector qualifications. During the COVID pandemic and lockdowns Allambi were able to employ many who were pushed out of other areas of the workforce.
• The opportunity to delve deeper into areas staff are passionate about resulting in a greater understanding of theories, systems, policy and processes behind the work they do and the legal requirements in their role.
• Significant developments in written and oral skillset – documentation is more timely and accurate, and public speaking confidence is increased. With these skills staff are more likely to engage with other professionals in the sector.
• Encouragement to engage with and question theories that influence practice alongside the ability to stop, think and apply perspective to each new scenario in order to provide the most reasonable and beneficial intervention.
• Confidence in, and alternative approaches to dealing with issues and problems in their roles.
• A desire to undertake research outside of the areas covered within the courses that benefit of the organisation, clients and the sector.

For further information about Allambi Care, visit allambicare.org.au.