Evaluation of Mercy Community Services' Support for Young People

This report examines Mercy Community Services (MCS) and its various programs aimed at supporting vulnerable children, young adults, and families in Queensland. The organization provides residential care, therapeutic interventions, foster care, and community engagement programs. MCS focuses on providing safe placements for young people with complex needs, offering structured environments, and encouraging the attainment of life goals such as education and employment. The report highlights programs like the Residential Care Program, North Coast Emergency Residential Care Program, and Therapeutic Residential Care. MCS also offers kinship and foster care services, supporting caregivers and providing training. Furthermore, the report discusses the organization's philosophy, including modules on Australian workplace practices, new Australian regulations, and cultural transition support for CALD youth. The report also explores MCS's role in youth crime prevention through employment and training initiatives, support for young mothers, and intensive intervention services. The strengths of MCS include community partnerships and empowerment of vulnerable youth, while limitations include financial pressures and potential management issues. Overall, the report provides an overview of MCS's commitment to improving the lives of young people through comprehensive support services.

Running head: MERCY COMMUNITY SERVICES 1
Mercy Community Services
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Mercy Community Services
“Mercy Community Services” (MCS) provides services to children, young adults, and
families in residential communities across Queensland. The family services assist vulnerable and
disadvantaged individuals to feel linked and valued. In spite of this fact, the organization
focuses on promoting the relationships of the community, and enhancing affiliations with
investing stakeholder; this authorizes the provision of quality services to individuals. Personal
and family underwritten programs include ménage intercession, counseling, family backing, and
programs on “live-in home” support for babies and their mother. In addition, the organization
help in community development and engagement programs. Therefore, by connecting young
families with their clique expedients and developing help networks, they can realize positive
family experiences.
MCS provides “Residential Care and Transition Services” that is situated in Queensland.
It offers safe and fully availed placements for youthful people with multiplex necessities, and
they may need rigorous help during their residential care and assistance with maverick living
placements. The models of the organization prioritize on the provision of provender, structure,
and attached interventions. Also, the models contain the principles that guide the relationships
between care staff and MCS (Mercy Community, n.d.). In addition, Mercy Community helps
young individuals to recover from experiences of neglect and abuse.
The Work of MCS on Young People
Residential Care Programs
The MCS uses the “Residential Care Programs” to provide safe, and fully upheld
placements for young people who are under 17 years old with complex needs. These youngsters

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have challenging behaviors and require intensive support during their placement. Notably, the
programs are situated in suburban houses within the south-east Queensland community including
“Cherbourg community” (Mercy Community, n.d.). The initiatives give therapeutic and
structured environments for young people, while residential care employees support them.
During the programs, youths are encouraged to attain their objectives in life such as education,
recreation, employment, life skills, and positive relationships.
The initiatives act as a section of the care continuum from when the young individual
enters the program until he or she reunite with their family and personal objectives. Notably,
“family connectedness” is utilized by MCS in maintaining family association, and creating a firm
sense of self-identity. This helps young people in building on their abilities and interests by
participating in local community activities, and attending local institutions. Mercy Community
(n.d.) argues that before entering the program, the youth link with staff to establish a shared
commitment to the placement. Contrary, MCS’s “North Coast Emergency Residential Care
Program” provides a similar placement service that responds to emergency care of the youth. For
instance, a care team head coordinates with youths and stakeholders such as the “Department of
Communities Child Safety Services” in developing a therapeutic aid plan for young individuals
and their family. Also, the MCS offers young people in programs with more support through its
“Educational and Vocational Support Programs” (EVSP), which assists the youth in attaining
their goals by linking them to work opportunities or education.
Therapeutic Residential Care
MCS‘s “Therapeutic Residential Care Program” offers exhaustive therapeutic care to
youths who cannot be placed under a foster care specialist, or other forms of residential care due
to the severity of their behavior. The program is done over 18 months to assist each youth in

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dealing with behavioral, relational, and emotional difficulties. This program also helps young
people in minimizing risks of placement instability. Thus, the organization reconnects the youth
with the community and family, and develops the skills, behavioral and emotional competencies
needed to successfully transition the prime to productive people in the society (Mercy
Community, n.d.). During the therapeutic program, young people are offered with every chance
to develop significant attachment relationships, which enhance their ability of self-reflection and
attain personal competency in various psychosocial fields.
Kinship and Foster Care
MCS provides foster and kinship care services for young people who are not able to live
at home due to child protection concerns. During 2015 and 2016, the former provided at least
250,000 nights of kinship and foster care to Queensland children and young people. The
organization recruits, trains, evaluates, supports, and monitors kinship and foster caregivers who
provide a home for the youth (Mercy Community, n.d.). Importantly, MCS offers its caregivers
with informed training, and invites them to special carer events where they can gain more
knowledge and experience.
The Philosophy of MCS about the Youth Welfare
The CAMS program created the “Agencies CALD Action Group” (ACAG) at MCS
Toowoomba to bring together representatives cooperating with indigenous people. The purpose
of the cooperation was to write and deliver suitable intervention workshops in settling
challenges, and linking with local developing communities. Mercy Community Services (2010)
asserts, “Agencies invited to participate came from all sectors of services to residents of the
region, including business and employment, children and family relationships, community

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groups, education, health, multicultural and refugee services, police and legal services and youth
services” (p.1). Notably, the ACAG operates with no undeviating funding through its expedient
model that focuses on developing a suitable approach to the succor community. Therefore, the
agencies accepted working and supporting each other’s efforts. There are several modules
utilized by MCS philosophy such as;
Australian Workplace
This module targets young people who are new to labor merchandise and waged life in
Australia. The concept allots an overview of the Australian workplace, and the cardinal
knowledge of responsibilities and rights of participants as a paid employee, and obligations of
employers (Mercy Community Services, 2014). Nevertheless, the module provides information
on the domestic labor market, and suitable sources of employment support, referral contacts, and
advice. Therefore, it assists young people to know their labor market, understanding the tax
structure, and their responsibilities as employees.
New Australian Regulations
The main target of this module is the youth who have recently landed in Australia. The
concept introduces the responsibilities and rights connected with Australian jurisprudence in a
manner that is pragmatic, accessible, and easily understood. The concept prioritizes on various
sectors; the rule of law, right to safety, privileges of a person, rights to the relationship, and
authorities of the person. The module further invigorates an efficacious perception of Australian
jurisprudence within the present migrant cliques (Mercy Community Services, 2014).
Alternatively, the young participants are provided with information on legal support, services,

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and referral contacts. Hence, the module helps young people to understand the role of police, and
knowing where to seek help in case of an emergency.
Talking Together for CALD Young People
The purpose of the module is to CALD teenage students in schools. It provides CALD
youth a chance to speak and share their difficulties in cultural transition. Furthermore, the
participants are presented with information about youth support, referral contacts, and service
information within the region (Mercy Community Services, 2014). The concept helps the youth
in dealing with challenges, understanding their freedoms, and responsibilities.
The Work of MCS Connected to Youth Crime Prevention
The employment and training by MCS helps the young disadvantaged people to attain
their potential. Occasionally, the organization works with the youth who may have unemployed
for quite a while. The primary objective of MCS is to develop employable skills and raise the
self-esteem and confidence of young people. Mercy Community Services (2014) mentions that
the skill sets provide the youth with a chance to have relevant knowledge and skills through
effective vocational placement, and enhancing employment outcomes. By doing this, MCS
provides young people with an opportunity to avoid crime; most of the youth engage in criminal
activities due to unemployment. Nonetheless, young people with relevant skill sets will always
have something significant to do as they can utilize their skills in various job opportunities,
which helps them avoid the life of crime. Importantly, the youth may engage in criminal
activities if they do not have the right skill sets that the market wants.
MCS focuses on young mother through the support of “Independent Living Program”
who are transitioning from foster care to independent living. This change prepares them to be

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responsible young mothers. Consequently, the organization engages with the “Department of
Community, Child Safety and Disability Services” in planning the young mothers’ future, and
providing the emotional support they may need through tough times. This support assists the
young mothers to communicate effectively and openly on their expectations for the pregnancy.
Also, young mothers can make concrete decisions regarding pre- and post-birth care plans.
Therefore, the support of MCS through various agencies assist young mothers not to engage in
abortion practices, especially when they lack emotional support during rough times.
Notably, emotional support helps the young mothers to clear their heads, and understand
that society supports them through thick and thin. Moreover, MCS protects young mothers
engaging in prostitution as they try to provide for their unborn babies. This prevents them from
engaging in vices that may be detrimental to not their health, but that of the unborn child.
Alternatively, MCS’s “Intensive Intervention Placement Service” helps young people
who may have lost educational time; the intervention enables the youth in establishing a long-
term guardianship. For instance, Mercy Community Services (2015) notes:
With support from staff at Mercy Community Services’ Fatima Centre in Toowoomba,
regional child safety officers and a grant from Toowoomba’s St Saviour’s College for
tuition fees, “Sarah” was able to settle successfully into her new learning environment at
the college. Within a few weeks of arriving at St Saviour’s College, she had made new
friends and was focusing on her studies (p.14).
This also assists young people to acquire relevant skills in schools, which may enable them to be
productive adults in society and reduce crime rates. Therefore, MCS is vital in supporting
youngster who may have lost their hope by providing them a chance to go back to school and
attain their goals, which will prevent them from participating in criminal activities.

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Strengths of MCS’s Work with the Youth
MCS gives the youth a sense of connectedness through various community partnerships.
This is attained through the foster care programs that MCS initiates in helping young people to
associate themselves with their community. This makes them more socially competent and
boosts their self-confident. It is vital to note that the youth who grow up disconnected and
distressed often engage in criminal and gang activity. Thus, the foster program offered by MCS
enables young people to develop partnerships that provide them with a chance to improve their
welfare.
Conversely, MCS empowers and supports young people who are vulnerable and in
disadvantaged positions. Hence, the organization acts as a leading facilitator of responsive and
quality community services through various agencies (Mercy Community, n.d.). Therefore, MCS
values the human dignity of every young individual, and it is committed to improving their
quality of life by making its services accessible. Through the various programs undertaken to
MCS in educating young people, the organizations prevent them from engaging in criminal
activities. Hence, the youth can focus on acquiring relevant skill sets that will make them
admirable people in society. Also, MCS reduces the dependency of young people by providing
them with skills they can make money from; these skill sets are usually in constant demand in
the market.
Limitations of MCS’s Work with the Youth
MCS encounters severe financial pressure as it relies on funding from the government,
which in recent years has been challenging to acquire. This influences the availability of
adequate staff resources and services quality. In spite of this fact, the management of MCS does

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not understand the business aspect of the organization, which results in poor strategic
management that ultimately affects its performance. For instance, the senior leadership of the
organization does not understand their work, and the changing procedures are not appropriately
managed; this leads to poor operational decisions. Furthermore, some staff does not represent the
values of the organization, and they tend to take advantage of the young disadvantaged people,
rather than attending to their needs. Similarly, other staff members prioritize on destroying the
reputation of other colleagues, and often are against workmates who make proper decisions that
are not self-benefiting.
Conclusion
MCS values the human dignity of every young individual, and it is committed to
improving their life quality by making its services accessible. Notably, the organization focuses
on programs that provide quality services to the community. Also, MCS reconnects young
people with their community, and helps the youth in developing the skills, behavioral and
emotional competencies needed to transition to responsible people in the society successfully.

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References
Mercy Community (n.d.). Foster and kinship care. Mercy Community. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.family.mercycs.org.au/foster-kinship-care
Mercy Community (n.d.). Foster care worker-part time. Mercy Community. Retrieved from
http://applynow.net.au/jobs/MCS45-foster-care-worker-part-time
Mercy Community (n.d.). Residential care and transition services. Mercy Community. Retrieved
from http://www.family.mercycs.org.au/residential-care-transition-services
Mercy Community (n.d.). Residential care. Mercy Community. Retrieved from
http://www.family.mercycs.org.au/residential-care
Mercy Community (n.d.). Therapeutic residential care. Mercy Community. Retrieved from
http://www.family.mercycs.org.au/therapeutic-residential-care
Mercy Community Services (2014). Strengthening communities: Early intervention workshops
for migrant and refugee communities. Education Queensland Toowoomba EAL/D
Teachers. Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/My/Downloads/ACAG_StrengtheningCommunities_2014.pdf
Mercy Community Services (2014).2014 annual report: Mercy on the move. Mercy Community
Services. Retrieved from
http://www.mercycs.org.au/files/file/MCSAnnualReport2014web1.pdf
Mercy Community Services (2015). Mercy Community Services annual report 2015-16. Mercy
Community Services. Retrieved from

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http://www.mercycs.org.au/files/file/MercyCommunityServicesAnnualReport2015-
16.pdf