Anchor’s Young Voices. Big Impact program was an initiative specifically designed to provide tailored, trauma-informed support to children who are accompanying their families that are experiencing homelessness in the Outer Eastern Region of Melbourne. The program aims to address a critical gap in the existing service system, which often exhibits a primary focus on parents, inadvertently overlooking the distinct needs of children. Children experiencing homelessness face significant challenges, to address this the program embedded a specialist child-focused therapeutic practitioner within Anchors crisis teams with the goal of minimising developmental consequences and fostering resilience.
There is increasing understanding of the necessity for supporting children navigating the complexities of homelessness and Anchor worked with internal subject matter experts and external stakeholders to co-design the pilot. This included expertise through the Statewide Children’s Resource Program and the Peer Education Support Program (PESP run by the Council to Homeless Persons.
The success of Young Voices. Big Impact as a pilot project is evident in its ability to address seven key constructs, including school belonging, academic performance, friendships, self-care skills, resiliency, goal setting, and self-esteem. The evaluation used a robust, multifaceted approach combining quantitative data from baseline and endline assessments with qualitative data from practitioners, clients, and parents, allowing for triangulation of findings. Overall, the evaluation demonstrated measurable progress, with an average improvement of 24% across the seven constructs assessed by the practitioner.
Through Anchor’s proactive and preventative approach, we can mitigate the likelihood and severity of future homelessness, ultimately reducing the need for more intensive interventions and ongoing contact with service systems. This commitment to early intervention and prevention underscores Anchor’s dedication to supporting clients across the spectrum of need, empowering them to achieve their full potential and live fulfilling lives.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of embedding early intervention and prevention in a crisis system, as well as concrete examples of effective program models that can be replicated in their own work.
Leanne Nicholson
Executive Manager Youth and Homelessness Services, Anchor Community Care
With 25+ years’ experience, Leanne is a dedicated youth advocate committed to changing the trajectory for children and young people through early intervention, prevention and structural and policy reform. Experience across alcohol and other drug, youth justice and homelessness services with post-graduate education in human services, experiential learning and business, Leanne blends frontline experience with innovative program design to create meaningful change.
Leanne Moody
Senior Practitioner Homelessness Services, Anchor Community Care
Leanne has a Bachelor of Social Work and has completed post-grad studies in Family Therapy to compliment her deep passion for providing holistic support to children and families. Leanne is driven through a compassionate approach; coupled with her knowledge and experience this allows her to navigate complex situations with empathy and professionalism, empowering those she works with (both service users and staff) to overcome challenges and achieve long-term success.
