Expanding on the existing services at Cardiff, Maitland, Mayfield, Gloucester, Forster and Taree, CatholicCare will – through this new office - provide disability support, counselling and Permanency Support Programs (foster care) to those in need in the Upper Hunter region.
Over 70 people attended the opening including representatives from Singleton and Branxton Parish, Department of Family and Community Services, Singleton Council, Singleton Chamber of Commerce, St Catherine’s Catholic College, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, St Nicholas Early Education Centre, the Catholic Schools Office and CatholicCare.
“The opening of the new office is CatholicCare’s response to the strong interest from the Upper Hunter community in our social services, particularly from those interested in becoming foster carers, as well as to those seeking to access affordable counselling and clinical services,” says Gary Christensen, Acting Director of CatholicCare
“The new office also enables us to extend the services we provide the wider Hunter community in general but in particular to the number of young people and children who need our support.
“There are almost 20,000 children and young people in New South Wales in Permanency Support Programs (foster care) – and of these 49% live in the Hunter and Central Coast. By working with the local community, we want to help these children and young people.
“Because of the changing landscape of social services at both a national and state level, including the recent introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, CatholicCare’s aim is to diversify the services we provide in order to meet the needs of the people we support.
“Through our Permanency Support Programs, disability services, counselling and clinical assessments, CatholicCare will continue to connect with those children and young people in the community who are most in need of our services through offices such as the new one at Singleton.
“From actively listening when children and young people aren’t feeling all that great, through to providing a supportive and safe place for children, young people and those living with a disability, CatholicCare’s aim is to play its part in helping such children and young people reach their full potential,” Gary said.
