Young, single mother, Ella, had to flee her home with her young children due to domestic violence. Ella’s partner financially abused her. He took out personal loans and credit cards in her name. Luckily Ella’s bank referred her to the CareRing Program for Financial Counselling after noticing her outstanding debts.
CareRing.
We are here to help your customers break free of complex financial hardship, allowing them to pay their bills.
Holistic support
What is CareRing?
CareRing ensures people facing a range of complex vulnerabilities get the support they need, when they need it, giving them more positive outcomes.
The case management style is designed to bring together financial services, insurance companies, utility providers, other corporates, as well as community service and government agencies.
The model builds on the strengths and experience of customer care (hardship) teams and offers a range of services, programs and supports not readily available to business customers.
Who is it for?
For businesses nation–wide who regularly work with customers struggling to cover their debts, or who face a range of complex issues making it difficult for customer care staff to offer appropriate support.
It is especially relevant for customers who are experiencing financial difficulties resulting from significant life circumstances such as losing an income, or are being affected by family violence, accident, illness or other adverse events.
What we provide.
Intake and assessment
Our trained, independent professionals will assess your customers’ needs and goals to ensure they receive the holistic support they need.
Sometimes they may need information or assistance to support self–help or a telephone referral to services such as emergency relief, housing, family violence, or referral pathways to other support services.
Service response
For some, extended support is required to get back on their feet. This requires case management and specialist services to ensure a higher level of care.
This can include:
• Information – providing customers with options and rights around their needs
• Referral – brokering an introduction to partner community agencies, internally and
externally to Uniting
• Direct service – an appointment with a Financial Counsellor, Case Worker or Energy Literacy worker
• Advocacy – advocating on behalf of the client with existing services.
Outcomes
- We work with the customer to ensure that agreed and identified goals are met and being
addressed - Customers are more in control and can take the next steps to reduce their debt.
Why partner with us?
Since CareRing’s commencement in July 2014, over 12,000+ households have been supported.
Benefits of CareRing include:
- Improved corporate results due to reduced costs and increased debt payments
- Improved staff understanding of your customer base and the challenges they face
- Reduced stress levels for your staff
- Improved service system responsiveness to complex customer needs
- Reduced financial hardship thanks to early identification and intervention
- Increased financial literacy; energy and water efficiency knowledge
- Better referral pathways between business and government.
Who we help
12,000 +
households supported.
52%
30 – 49 age group.
67%
receive Government payments.
74%
female.
35%
own their home.
71%
households with 3+ people.
52%
renting.
34%
single parents.
18%
working.
