The Western Sydney Kids Early Years (KEYS) Network is the first of its kind in New South Wales. It is designed to align social and health sector agendas to deliver cohesive client services. KEYS relies on multi-sector collaboration to develop a coordinated care model for those stuck in a cycle of disadvantage. The KEYS Network is a collaboration between WentWest, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN), Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) and the Department of Education (DoE).
Fleeing from domestic violence, pregnant mother Sharon* packed up her two children and moved interstate to Western Sydney to create a safe and stable new life for her family. Trying to find suitable accommodation in a new city with limited family support was incredibly stressful. Sharon finally managed to find temporary accommodation in a refuge but was extremely anxious about not having a plan in place to take care of her children while she was in hospital having the baby. COVID-19 restrictions prevented her from having a family room in the hospital, and support workers weren’t permitted into the refuge to take care of the children. It was beginning to look as if the children would need to go into temporary care, something that Sharon was very concerned about.
KEYS were alerted to Sharon’s situation and became involved to find a solution that would cause the least amount of upheaval for her family. The main priority was to ensure that Sharon’s children wouldn’t need to go into temporary care while she was in hospital. KEYS reached out to Blacktown Community Services Centre (CSC) to see if they were able to secure stable housing for the family, and, fortunately, Blacktown CSC connected to a housing organisation that was able to help.
The next step was to find home care for the children while Sharon was in hospital. Blacktown CSC sought legal advice to confirm that Sharon’s children would not need to go into temporary care if she was willing to contract an in-home care service. Sharon agreed and the KEYS team arranged for an in-home care service to look after the children when the baby was due. KEYS paid for the family’s accommodation and care and also organised for Sharon’s furniture to be delivered from interstate.
Families escaping domestic violence often leave their homes extremely distressed, without possessions and with limited funds to re-establish themselves in a place where they feel safe and secure. Sharon’s story is a great example of how KEYS are able to help navigate to services that can make a significant difference to improve the health and wellbeing of families in Western Sydney so that they can begin planning for a brighter future.
*Name has been changed to protect the identity of this client.