Centacare New England North West acquired the funding to run a support program where four caseworkers each provide 12 weeks of intensive services for up to 16  people a year.

The program is being rolled out across the region with one caseworker to be based in Armidale.

CEO of Centacare, Fergus Fitzsimons, said the program would be run on a needs-based system to ensure each individual developed skills to prevent them reoffending. 

“We need to mend the tears in the community fabric,” he said. “Having our caseworkers based in the community is vital for this.”

The program’s casework support includes access to services including social development, accommodation, employment, education, living skills, transport and Centrelink.

Casework Support worker for Armidale, Meghan Lindsay, says working with four to five clients at a time helps to address an individual’s needs.

“Working closely with the Juvenile Justice offices and with the young people means we can know what their needs are and what goals they have, so we can assist them,” she said. “It is about breaking the reoffending cycle. But as each individual is different, it is vital to understand what we need to do to help them. I think that is what is missing now.”

Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall said the program provides “positive benefits from an economic point-of-view” as well as providing an essential service.