Case Studies
(Clients’ names changed for privacy)
Shane
Linda
Not eligible for housing services as he was working and
not prepared to live in a boarding house.
Not able to engage with a mental health worker as he
was not able to acknowledge mental health as a prob-
lem. Not eligible for housing service support as she resided
in a private rental property.
Not able to consistently search for alternative accom-
modation or employment due to feeling depressed and
anxious.
Shane was a man in his 40’s referred in the context
of homelessness, mental health and gambling issues.
He had been living in his car for several years and de-
scribed feeling overwhelmed, depressed and hopeless
as a result of his lack of stable housing. He had a reli-
able income, but gambling issues limited the availabil-
ity of this income for daily living expenses. Shane faced
a number of barriers to finding appropriate housing.
He was time poor as a result of his work commitments,
his computer literacy skills were limited (impacting his
ability to easily search and apply for properties), and
his rental history was dated and chequered. He was
socially isolated, having little contact with friends and
family. Linda, a woman in her 60’s, was in the midst of sig-
nificant financial difficulties when she was referred.
She received Newstart payments. Low income, on-
going high rental costs and daily living expenses
contributed to an unstable housing situation and
rental arrears, which were causing significant dis-
tress. Linda had a physical disability resulting from
a car accident a number of years ago. She also ex-
perienced mental health issues, for which she was
seeing a psychologist. Her mental health issues im-
pacted her ability to consistently look for work or
alternative accommodation. Linda lived alone. She
was in regular contact with one of her sons and his
family, but had limited other social connections.
Shane consistently engaged with the casework process.
The sessions allowed him the opportunity to be open
about his current difficulties, which he felt uncomfort-
able discussing with friends and work mates. Practical
assistance was provided (e.g. completion of rental ap-
plications and writing of cover letters), along with re-
ferral for gambling counselling. With support, Shane
successfully applied to rent a room in a local property.
Mental health difficulties were ongoing, but Shane re-
mained unwilling to link in with mental health support
services. Practical assistance (e.g. assistance completing
forms), advocacy with both consumer and community
agencies, and a number of instances of financial bro-
kerage and ER were provided. Referrals were made
to a number of community support and other agen-
cies, including housing support service. Linda’s finan-
cial situation remains difficult, but she continues to
engage regularly with CSF casework. Mental health
issues were ongoing, but she had undergone a recent
psychiatric review and had seen some improvement
in symptoms.
Jessica
Not eligible for family violence support services as she did not identify her difficulties as family violence related.
Not able to readily engage with child protection as she feared losing her family.
Jessica was a woman in her 30’s who lived in public housing accommodation with her 5 children. She was referred
for casework in the context of ongoing family violence. No immediate safety concerns were identified as her hus-
band was incarcerated. Legal issues related to the family violence were ongoing, which was causing significant
stress within the family. Jessica had a variable relationship with her immediate family and she had few other social
connections or supports. There were a number of financial difficulties identified, including several utilities debts.
Casework involved supportive listening in the context of the difficult situation Jessica was involved in. Advocacy
was provided with utilities companies, and there was also liaison with other agencies providing support to Jessica
and her family. ER and financial brokerage were provided on multiple occasions, including for school related ex-
penses for her children.
Community Support Frankston
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Annual Report 2018
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