b'Supporting people toInclusive early learning engage with corporates for all children Since commencing in 2014, CareRing hasThe Victorian Governments Kindergarten supported over 12,000 households to find reliefInclusion Support (KIS) program provides from financial stress. Partnering with utilities,resources for educators to deliver inclusive insurance and other financial services companies,programs to meet the individual abilities, CareRings case management approach offers ainterests and needs of children living with a high level of care to consumers facing hardship.disability, developmental delay or complex This may be because they have complex needs medical needs. or face significant life circumstances such asAs the largest provider of the KIS program, our losing an income, experiencing family violence,specialist team employs around 850 additional illness or an accident.assistants who, in the 2024 calendar year, Receiving this specialist support empowerssupported 1,272 children.consumers to set financial goals and feelOne year on, our Specialist Early Education and supported to meet them. And companiesDevelopment (SEED) referral-only centre in are upskilled to understand the barriers theirRichmond, Victoria is firmly established in the customers may be facing so they can improve community as a trusted service to support the the customer experience and decrease stress education and wellbeing of children experiencing and strain on their staff.complex trauma, significant family stress and/or social disadvantage. Children attending our Helping corporatesSEED centre are thriving, with the team seeing significant progress in their development, learning support people inand relational health. vulnerable circumstances Operated by highly qualified educators and Our Social Impact Consulting team is helpinga multidisciplinary senior leadership team,Aces at Australian Openorganisations like banks and utility providersincluding an infant mental health clinician and improve their practices when working witha family services practitioner, our intensive customers in vulnerable circumstances. low-ratio modelwith small group sizes and For 20 years, the team has worked with banking,a primary educator approachensures eachParticipants of our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) debt collection, utility and telecommunicationschild benefits from a high-quality, tailored, trauma-informed education and care program.program aced their retail and hospitality jobs at the 2024 Australian companies to positively influence the outcomesWe cultivate a nurturing, non-judgemental of millions of Australians living in sociallyenvironment, and families frequently expressOpen in Melbourne.vulnerable circumstances.their deep sense of belonging at the service.By engaging with people through focus groups,The Preschool Field Officer (PSFO) programWith support from Tennis Australia and DylanLeila (pictured) was excited about her first taste the team ensures the consumer voice informsis a Victorian Government funded service inAlcotts the Field, which connects people withof the workforce: I was excited and nervous, their collective expertise and understanding of3 and 4-year-old kindergarten and Early Startdisabilities with organisations looking to hire,but on that first day, I was really looking vulnerability. This understanding of contemporaryKindergarten programs. It provides short-termfour teenagers gained real-life customer serviceforward to my first real (work) shift.lived experience, coupled with Unitings longguidance and coaching to early childhoodskills and experience during Australias biggestFor young people living with a disability, history of supporting communities, is theeducators to support them to include childrensporting tournament. gaining work experience is an important part of foundation on which the team partners withwith additional needs. During the year, our 20The SLES program provides young people livinglearning about themselves, and understanding businesses and industries. These partnershipsPSFOs supported teachers to include 2,392with disabilities with help and support on theirwhat they excel at. Many SLES participants establish better understanding and practices children in their kindergarten programs. pathway to employment including creatingfinish the program and go on to work in for working with these customers to addressaction plans for training, work and life skills, toretail, or hospitality and some prefer to work their needs. Find out more prepare them for the workforce, helping themoutdoors, in gardening or as a trades assistant.feel confident and positive about their future.Find out more Aiden, Leila, Nathan and Ramadan wereSeeing their confidence build, and the smile supported to write their job applications andon their faceswe know this program works, to prepare for their interviews. All four weresays Angela DapcevicExecutive Officer, successful in getting a job. Uniting staff thenEmployment Services. It makes the team supported them to navigate public transport so proud to see participants continue on this to get into the CBD, attend the Australian exciting journey.Open orientation, and start their first shift. Find out more20 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'