OARS Offenders Aid And Rehabilitation Services Of S.A. Inc.

Residents will be required initially to stay in a furnished house with shared facilities but have their own lockable bedroom. The fee for this service is at present $12 per night, a $10 key deposit is required and is refunded on the return of the key. Bed linen, crockery, and cutlery is supplied, as well as all cleaning materials for the house. Residents are expected to keep the house clean and tidy at all times.

The length of stay is up to 3 months in the shared facilities, however some residents can, at the discretion of the managers move into a single or two-bedroom unit for up to 1 year when a unit becomes available.

Residents of Freshstart Accommodation can access the programs that are offered by OARS SA staff. These include, Case Management, Drug and Alcohol Counselling, Financial Counselling, Rehabilitation Counselling, Advocacy, etc.

Referral to the accommodation service can be through any agency, or a person can apply himself to, The Manager of the facility in the location preferred.

The Women’s Accommodation Support Service (WASS) primarily focuses on the needs of women released from prison who find themselves, and their children, without safe, secure and stable accommodation. WASS commenced in March 2000 as a pilot project funded by the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) and in 2002 was granted recurrent and increased funding.

In order to effectively deliver a service that provides a holistic perspective to women experiencing multiple and complex issues a case management approach is used. Case management comprises the dual role of coordinating and providing direct service while working with the client, family members, other professionals and any other person, group or community that plays an important role in the clients system. Ultimately, the aim of case management is to develop and enhance the client’s resource network and their ability to access this themselves. Other aspects of case management include support, advocacy, information and referral, outreach and crisis intervention.

The Women’s Accommodation Support Service focuses on working in partnership with the woman to access safe, secure and stable accommodation as the main aim. However, the use of a holistic approach to fulfilling this aim is vital. In order to maintain the accommodation that is accessed it is essential that other issues that may be causing distress or concern in the woman’s life are also addressed. The types of issues that a woman may be struggling with include; social adjustment and acceptance, lack of support networks, financial difficulties, drug and/or alcohol use, domestic violence, being an adult survivor of child abuse, mental health, physical health and/or disability, sexuality, parenting and/or family reunification, legal (including family court) and unemployment. Some of these issues may be addressed within the case management role but others may need referral to appropriate services. Within OARS, services such as drug counselling, financial counselling, personal/family counselling and emergency assistance are offered to provide continuity of care within the one organisation.

The framework underlying our practice with clients is based on the anti-oppressive, empowerment and feminist perspectives and a commitment to social justice. Working from this foundation ensures that we work in partnership with our clients as we see them as the experts on their own life. The relationship between worker and client is an equal one in which both participants bring equally valuable but different expertise, knowledge, skills and experience to the relationship. We also acknowledge the strength of these women who have thus far survived incredible hardship and we understand the connection between a social system that often reinforces powerlessness and the barriers that prevent them from exercising their power.