The Personal Support Program

The Personal Support Program (PSP) is funded by the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and is an important component of the Australians Working Together reform measures.  PSP was established in 2002 and is a program aimed at assisting individuals who have barriers to employment.

These barriers may include:

• Homelessness
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Literacy and numeracy issues
• Social isolation/alienation
• Various mental health conditions
• Domestic violence
• Family and relationship breakdowns
• Grief and loss
• Torture and trauma 

PSP Overview

Clients are assessed and referred to PSP providers by a Job Capacity Assessor (JCS) at Centrelink or another agency. Onced commenced with the provider clients are assisted for up to two years with the aim of the individual making steps to address the barriers to employment that are identified. This is achieved by building a positive non-judgemental attitude that focuses on utilizing the strengths and passions of the client.

PSP is primarily a transitional program that works closely with the service providers within this Employment Services Area (ESA) and refers the clients to these organisations as required.

The aim of this programme is to support unemployed people who have multiple barriers to employment, to identify these barriers and implement strategies to address them. The main duties are to:

• Formulate and implement individual action plans
• Facilitate access to drug and alcohol rehabilitation
• Address delibilitating personal needs
• Link into counceling services
• Referral to professional services
• Assistance to access accomadation
• Advocating where necessary with other service providers on behalf of the participant
• Liasing with Centrelink on behalf of the participant
• Monitor and support participant through the process
• Link with support services and appropriate community supports
• Foster and encourage ongoing community liaison
• Encourage participants to be proactive in the change process
• Ongoing contact, monitoring and documentation of the change process

The YWCA South West Region

The YWCA has been running PSP since 2002 and started with a case worker managing 20 clients. As of August 2008 we are managing over 230 clients with four staff.

The YWCA manages to be on of the high achievers in this ESA of delivering the program and we have  a very positive amongst other providers, DEWWR, community organizations and especially the individuals we work with.

Click here to read some of our good news stories.

For more information

Phone Paul Channell on 02 4628 3300

or email paulc@ywcansw.com.au