Homelessness has increased 13.7% in the past five years, and is expected to rise further as a result of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Never has there been a more critical time for Australia to put homelessness at the top of the political agenda.
It’s critical to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness receive the appropriate support in order to transition out of homelessness. This includes ensuring services are accessible, holistic, culturally appropriate and person-centric, as well as putting a focus on prevention and early intervention models and transitioning out of homelessness pathways.
The National Homelessness Forum will address the key challenges to tackling homelessness in Australia and ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness are appropriately supported. Delegates will gain tools and strategies to tailor services and wraparound support, improve service delivery and how to develop cross-sector partnerships to streamline services and improve accessibility.
Attend this forum and learn how to:
Create prevention and early intervention models to support people at risk of homelessness
Develop tailored, culturally appropriate, holistic and person-centric services to ensure that individuals receive the best possible support
Develop collaborate cross-sector partnerships to streamline service delivery and accessibility
Effectively transition people out of homelessness and provide post-homelessness support
Speakers
Austin Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
My Streets Ireland
Claire Horton
Programme Lead Homeless Prevention and Financial Inclusion
Newcastle City Council UK
Suzanne Hopman
Chief Executive Officer
and Co-Founder
Dignity
Gerry Georgatos
National Coordinator
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
Emma Colombera
Director Housing and Homelessness
Department of Communities WA
Karen Walsh
Executive Director Housing and Program Reform, Department of Territory Families
Housing and Communities NT
Mervyn Eades
Founder and
Chief Executive Officer
Ngalla Maya
Megan Krakouer
Director
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
Suzanne Naden
Chief Executive Officer
Bungree Aboriginal Association
Adrian Munro
Chief Executive Officer
Richmond Wellbeing
Gayle Mitchell
Practice Lead
UnitingCare West
Paul Tommasini
Chief Executive Officer
InCommunity and Tenancy Skills Institute
Craig Stewart
State Director WA
Red Cross Australia
Leanne Barron
Chief Executive Officer
Starick
Johnson Riley
Aboriginal Visitor’s Scheme
Department of Justice WA
Jim Morrison
Managing Director
Yokai
Connie Georgatos
Support Admin
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
Trevor Walker
Chief Executive Officer
Aboriginal Corporation for Homeless and Rehabilitation Community Services
Bryan Lipmann
Chief Executive Officer
and Founder
Wintringham
Allan Sumner
Chief Executive Officer
and Founder
Aboriginal Sobriety Group
Ian Cox
Head of Office for Homelessness
Sector Integration
SA Housing Authority
Summit Agenda
8:00 AM | Registration opens
8:45 AM | Welcome to country
9:00 AM | Opening remarks from the Chair
Gerry Georgatos, National Coordinator, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
Conference Day One - 27 April 2021
8:00 AM | Registration opens
8:45 AM | Welcome to country
9:00 AM | Opening remarks from the Chair
Gerry Georgatos, National Coordinator, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
Putting an end to homelessness through prevention and early intervention
9:10 AM | Examining homelessness in Western Australia and upcoming initiatives
- Analysing homelessness statistics in WA and challenges across the state
- Evaluating the impacts of COVID-19 on Australia’s homeless population
- Exploring opportunities for increased collaboration across states, territories and communities
Emma Colombera, Director Housing and Homelessness, Department of Communities WA
9:40 AM | Discussing the future of public housing in the Northern Territory
- Creating a housing and homelessness system that is flexible and accessible
- Improving the long-term sustainability of the housing system in the Northern Territory
- Providing appropriate public housing that aligns with the needs of communities
- Strengthening access of Territorians to a range of housing options
Karen Walsh, Executive Director Housing and Program Reform, Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities NT
10:10 AM | International Case Study
The Active Inclusion Newcastle Project’s approach to long-term homelessness prevention
- Identifying and supporting people at risk of homelessness before they reach crisis point
- Coordinating across organisations to increase access to supports and prevent homelessness
- A look at the takeaways from an award-winning strategy to homelessness prevention
- Examining lessons learned and the path going forward
Claire Horton, Programme Lead Homeless Prevention and Financial Inclusion, Newcastle City Council UK *virtual presentation
10:40 AM | Morning break
11:10 AM | Panel discussion
Preparing for an increased demand in homelessness services
- Identifying where there’s an increased demand
- Coping with an increased demand on limited resources
- Developing collaborative partnerships to share resources and increase capability
Leanne Barron, Chief Executive Officer, Starick
Gayle Mitchell, Practice Lead, UnitingCare West
Suzanne Hopman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Dignity
12:00 PM | Case Study
Preventing the escalation of the early stages of homelessness to chronicity
- Crisis response using a trauma-informed, person-centered approach
- Discerning appropriate types, levels and timing of supports
- Practical frameworks to develop the capacity to successfully secure, maintain or transition to independent living
Suzanne Hopman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Dignity
12:30 PM | Developing effective support services for victims of domestic and family violence to prevent homelessness
- Tailoring outreach services for those afraid to leave an abusive environment over fears of ending up homeless
- Collaborating across services and sectors to ensure victims of domestic and family violence receive the right support at the right time
- Working with women affected by trauma and transitioning them back to independent living
Leanne Barron, Chief Executive Officer, Starick
1:00 PM | Networking luncheon
2:00 PM | Providing effective support for ex-offenders leaving prison to ensure a smooth transition back to society
- Collaborating with ex-offenders pre-release to create individual exit plans
- Creating successful mentorship programs for post-release
- Providing pathways into education and employment to enable future life successes
Mervyn Eades, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ngalla Maya
2:30 PM | Unlocking the door to the private sector to help end homelessness
- Engaging the Real Estate Industry to create pathways into private tenancies
- Training candidates through the Tenancy Skills Institute to create better rental outcomes
- Creating an opportunity for the Community Sector and Real Estate Industry to work together to achieve a common goal
Paul Tommasini, Chief Executive Officer, InCommunity & Tenancy Skills Institute
3:00 PM | How to best support young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness
- Providing young people with sustainable accommodation whilst gaining independence from welfare and social services through education
- Giving young people access to mentoring and opportunities to succeed in life
- Providing pathways into sustainable employment
Gayle Mitchell, Practice Lead, UnitingCare West
3:30 PM | Afternoon tea
4:00 PM | Panel discussion
Tackling the challenges of public housing planning and access
- How to increase access to affordable public housing
- Strengthening collaboration between the NFP and construction sector
- Developing culturally appropriate public housing solutions
Mervyn Eades, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ngalla Maya
Paul Tomassini, Chief Executive Officer, InCommunity
Bryan Lipmann, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Wintringham
4:50 Shifting focus from a crisis approach to prevention and early intervention
- Understanding the underlying reasons as to why someone ends up experiencing homelessness
- Developing prevention and early intervention models to stop elderly people from entering homelessness
- How to identify and appropriately support people at risk of homelessness
Bryan Lipmann, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Wintringham
5:20 PM | Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one
Conference Day Two - 28 April 2021
8:00 AM | Registration opens
9:00 AM | Opening remarks from the Chair
Gerry Georgatos, National Coordinator, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
Improving services and service delivery
9:10 AM | Future Directions for Homelessness in South Australia
- Building an alliance approach with a focus on prevention and better outcomes
- Working across sectors to implement homelessness reforms
- Looking to the future: the upcoming challenges and opportunities to improve the homelessness service system
Ian Cox, Head of Office for Homelessness Sector Integration, SA Housing Authority
9:40 AM | Developing culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing homelessness
- Consulting with Indigenous communities and Elders to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Co-designing services together with the Indigenous community to improve service quality
- Collaborating with the community to build trusting relationships
Megan Krakouer, Director, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
10:10 AM | How to transition people out of chronical homelessness
- Collaborating across sectors and services to provide education and training opportunities in order to create a strong foundation post homelessness
- Examining ways to support people experiencing chronical homelessness to live independently
- Addressing the needs of those experiencing complex needs that increase the chronicity of homelessness
Suzanne Naden, Chief Executive Officer, Bungree Aboriginal Association
10:40 AM | Morning tea
11:10 AM | International Case Study
Empowering people affected by homelessness through education and employment
- Collaborating with partner agencies to provide education and training for people experiencing homelessness
- Providing accessible pathways to sustainable employment for people experiencing homelessness
- Encouraging vulnerable people to increase their capacity and create positive change in their lives
Austin Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, My Streets Homeless Walking Tours *virtual presentation
11:40 AM | Panel Discussion
Supporting people experiencing homelessness through t he journey of transitional housing
- How to best prepare people who’ve experienced homelessness for transitional housing
- Ensuring tenants receive a sense of stability during transitions
- Providing ex-homeless people with targeted intensive wrap-around support to ensure they stay out of homelessness
Suzanne Naden, Chief Executive Officer, Bungree Aboriginal Association
Craig Stewart, State Director WA, Red Cross Australia
Jim Morrison, Managing Director, Western Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation
12:30 PM | Providing assertive outreach services for those in need
- Understanding the need for outreach services for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness
- Identifying and assessing people in need of support
- Providing information and connecting people to local support services
Trevor Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Corporation for Homeless and Rehabilitation Community Services
1:00 PM | Networking luncheon
2:00 PM | Creating trauma-informed service models
- Understanding the impacts of trauma and how it can impact an individual and lead to homelessness
- How to assess and respond to a person’s needs using a trauma-informed approach
- Developing practical frameworks to work with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
Craig Stewart, State Director WA, Red Cross Australia
1:00 PM | Networking luncheon
2:30 Intergenerational trauma and its effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Examining the history of intergenerational trauma
- Discussing the relationship between homelessness and intergenerational trauma
- How to identify when an individual carries trauma in order to assist them in the housing process
Jim Morrison, Managing Director, Western Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation
3:00 PM | Co-designing homelessness services with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
- Co-design as a means to better understand the needs of Indigenous Australians
- Collaborating with individuals with lived experience of homelessness to improve service delivery
- Engaging widely with multiple stakeholders for a balanced range of perspectives
Connie Georgatos, Support Admin, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project
3:30 PM | Afternoon tea
4:00 PM | Addressing substance abuse as a critical part of rehabilitating vulnerable people during and post-homelessness
- Understanding the role of substance use disorders before, during and post-homelessness
- Working with individuals who are overcoming addiction
- Transitioning people with substance use disorders to independent living
Allan Sumner, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Sobriety Group
4:30 PM | Case Study
Supporting people with mental health issues as a pathway out of homelessness
- Discussing the connection between mental health conditions and homelessness
- Collaborating across sectors to ensure that those at risk of homelessness receive adequate support
- How service providers and governments can partner with mental health service providers as a preventative approach
Adrian Munro, Chief Executive Officer, Richmond Wellbeing
5:00 PM | Case Study
An example of lived experience and its implications for service providers
- A lived experience of homelessness and what can be learned from it
- The supports that are critical in transitioning someone out of homelessness
- Examining what works and what could have been done better
Johnson Riley, Aboriginal Visitors Scheme, Department of Justice WA
5:30 PM | Closing remarks from the Chair and Close of day two
Post-Conference Workshops
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Workshop A
Developing cross-sector partnerships to drive service integration
Homelessness has always been a challenge that requires a cross- sector approach to address – with the upcoming predicted increase in homelessness across Australia, there has never been a better time for organisations to understand how to best collaborate to improve service delivery.
This interactive workshop will give attendees a hands on look at what successful, cross-sector collaboration looks like and an opportunity to strategise with industry peers about how integrated service delivery can help tackle homelessness across Australia.
Attendees to this workshop will:
- Discuss successful collaborations that already exist
- Examine what service gaps there are to identify the need for collaborations
- Developing ways to better collaborate and work together
- Improving collaborations within the sector
- Understanding how to better relationships with the government
Facilitator
Gayle Mitchell, Practice Lead, UnitingCare West
1:00 – 4:00 PM | Workshop B
Developing support for vulnerable people with complex needs
People with complex needs frequently require the support of multiple services, however there is often a lack of coordination, clear strategy and a unified approach in addressing their needs.
Understanding the multiple and complex needs of vulnerable people and being equipped with the skills to address challenging behaviour, mental health concerns, substance abuse and complex trauma will be essential to ensure that people with complex needs receive person-centered care.
This interactive workshop will provide participants with the opportunity learn how to:
- Understand the key principles of best practice care for complex needs
- Identify and address different types of challenging behaviour
- Work effectively in cases of complex trauma
- Improve service delivery through an improved understanding on the impact of complex needs on homelessness
Facilitator
Suzanne Naden, Chief Executive Officer, Bungree Aboriginal Association
Who should attend:
Executive Management:
- Chief Executive Officers
- Directors
- Board Members
- Project/ Program
Managers
Heads/ Directors/ Managers of:
- Housing Services
- Homelessness Services
- Shelters and Hostels
- Domestic Violence Support Services
- Youth
- Poverty
- Drug and Alcohol
- Aboriginal Medical Services
- Aboriginal Community Services
Save
Early bird discount
Book now and save $500
Team discount
Register 3-4 delegates and receive an additional 15% DISCOUNT off the standard price
Register 5-7 delegates and receive an additional 20% DISCOUNT off the standard price
Become a sponsor
Bring your brand, product or solution as part of the National Homelessness Forum 2021
Location
Venue details:
Novotel Perth Langley
221 Adelaide Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Australia
CONTACT US
+61 02 9247 6000
HYBRID EVENT
In-Person and Live-streamed
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