CatholicCare provides support network for educators who care for kids

By Veronika Cox

Each day, hundreds of children all around Tasmania attend CatholicCare Tasmania’s vacation care, before school, day care, and out-of-school hours care, and a play-based learning program called Ludo.

“Many of our services across the state are specifically in vulnerable communities,” said Ludo State Operations Manager Theresa Blizzard.

“We know that when we’re working with some of these children, some of them have been through some pretty traumatic things, or they might have some pretty high-level behaviours that we are helping them manage and navigate.”

The significant challenges faced by educators mean it is essential they are well-equipped – mentally, physically, and emotionally – to ensure the best outcomes for the children in their care.

State Educational Leader, Out of School Hours Care, Janaya Lawson said educators were becoming dysregulated due to the complex behaviours displayed by the children.

“Our educators recognised that behaviours were increasing and building in frequency and wanted to ensure that the skills they had were able to be developed to best support our children,” Janaya explained.

In what is believed to be an Australian first, CatholicCare Tasmania has appointed a dynamic and compassionate therapeutic counsellor who works onsite with individual educators at each service, and offsite providing complex trauma training for staff.

With a formal education in psychology and seven years of practical experience in clinical service delivery, Sam has valuable expertise in working with diverse populations, including forensic cases, disabilities, dual diagnosis, and complex trauma.

“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working in various settings, including Australian schools, disability organisations, prisons, and government agencies,” he said.

“This exposure has allowed me to understand the unique challenges faced by individuals (young and old) from different backgrounds and I have honed my ability to tailor therapeutic approaches to suit specific needs.”

Sam helps educators navigate their own health and wellbeing, including making sure they have time for themselves, and introducing mindfulness practices.

“He can come in as a highly skilled, qualified practitioner to work solely with the educators. So, we work with the children, but Sam works with the educators, so they can put their best foot forward,” said Theresa.

“He’s got all those qualities that our staff are needing. Sam is very approachable, he’s very trustworthy, he’s very compassionate, he’s a very good listener.

 “It’s almost like he’s a bit of a sounding board, I think for staff as well, when they are feeling overwhelmed, and their bucket becomes full.

“He gives our educators strategies to be able to empty some of the things from their bucket so that they can still do their job, but the jobs in the bucket are still getting done, whether that’s delegated or reprioritised,” Theresa added.

CatholicCare Tasmania’s Executive Manager Early Learning and Care Daniel Lane said

with the needs and behaviours of children becoming more complex, CatholicCare’s educators needed additional support.

“We now have support layers in place for our educators, and we deliver an enhanced level of care to children who are vulnerable and at-risk,” he said.