Adolescent & Family

Counsellor (AFC)
AFC Project is a non government
community service to support &
care for parents & teenagers.

To Serve The Community

In The Belief That
Together We Can Make A
Difference

Funding Body
AFC Project is funded by the Department of
Community Services through Community
Service Grants Program (CSGP)
AFC Project is auspiced by the Jesmond
Neighbourhood Centre, premises owned by
the Newcastle City Council

Target Area
The AFC project at Jesmond
Neighbourhood Centre services the
Newcastle City Local Government Area.

Target Group
Consumers of AFC services are families with
teenaged children requiring support, counselling
&/or referral to meet their unique assessed needs.
Presenting issues may include: family breakdown,
homelessness, at risk behaviours, challenging
behaviours, educational struggles, drug/alcohol
related problems, relationship difficulties, sexuality,
emotional, physical, sexual abuse, mental health
issues

Outcomes sought for the project

To promote & support families as a functional unit wherever
possible
To provide an integrated counselling approach that
promotes, facilitates, & supports change in the interaction
between young people & their families
To foster reconciliation with young people and their families
leading to the young person staying in the family home or
being restored to the family where acceptable &
appropriate
To foster client self determination and promote emotional
growth & independence
To provide early intervention before major issues occur

Activities that help deliver these

outcomes

Counselling
Support
Advocacy
Education
Information
Referral to specialist agencies
Act as a resource for other agencies

Highlights of the Project

Working with young people & their families
Witnessing positive outcomes for clients
Working collaboratively with other centre Projects
Co-service provision with FASP
Excellent relationship with outside agencies
Worked to successfully restructure Newcastle
Youth Accommodation Services Limited
Attended relevant training to meet consumer
needs
Being part of a supportive, professional team

Barrier to service provision

Inadequate funding
Limited resources
Limited space
Time constraints
Inadequate referral agencies for youth

Points for stakeholders.

AFC project secured funding through Hunter New England
Health (HNEH) to set up a Community Drug Action Team
(CDAT) which involves local members of the community
raising awareness of drug and alcohol issues and
addressing these issues within their local community
AFC is the representative for secondary NSP (Harm
Minimization Program) at Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre
AFC is a Board of Directors member for NYASL (Newcastle
Youth Accommodation Services Limited) for young people
out of home