Mission - Empowering Young People to Create Safe Spaces
Vision - To be a leading provider of services that support the safety and wellbeing of our young people.
Values -
We believe in every young person’s right to safety.
We believe there is hope and opportunity in every young person
We act with integrity and kindness in all that we do.
Our Story
Karinya Youth Services Tas. (Karinya) is a value-based organisation with 45 years of experience with young women facing homelessness. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, Karinya is dedicated to providing crucial crisis accommodation for up to six young women at a time, operating under the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) directive within Homes Tasmania.
Beyond crisis accommodation, Karinya has grown and extended its impact through specialised programs for young people. The Young Mums program (KYM) caters to young pregnant women and parents aged 15 to 19, offering tailored support funded by the Department for Education, Children and Young People. The Karinya Youth Transitional Tenancy (KYTT) addresses the unique needs of young people aged 16-24 at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness funded by The Tasmanian Community Fund.
We are dedicated to offering immediate support and practical solutions for young people in need. Our key objective is to bridge the gaps in families and communities by providing a stable foundation for those at risk of homelessness. With a compassionate and committed team, we focus on reuniting young people with their families whenever possible, and securing stable, safe, supportive accommodation alternatives.
Karinya has a long-standing history of acknowledging our clients' complex and diverse needs. We understand that the concept of 'family' does not fit a single mold; it is as diverse as the individuals we support. Recognising this, we adapt our approach to accommodate various family structures based on mutual support and respect, whether single parents, couples, grandparents, or chosen families. Our services are person-centred, acknowledging that different accommodation options can facilitate family reunification and contribute to long-term stability.
At Karinya, our commitment extends beyond immediate needs. We aim for a future where all young people have the opportunity to thrive within their families and communities, irrespective of their backgrounds or challenges. Our collaborative approach involves partnerships with government and non-government services in the region, ensuring a holistic and cooperative framework for individual clients.
Karinya’s Statement of Commitment to the Safety and Wellbeing of Children
Karinya Youth Services Tas. acknowledges its responsibility to uphold and promote the safety and wellbeing of young people and children and to respect and listen to the opinions of the young people and children engaged with our service.
Karinya Youth Services Tas. recognises the importance of developing and implementing systems that protect young people and children from risk of harm and fostering a culture of safeguarding young people and children.
As such, Karinya Youth Services Tas. commits to the following principles:
Respect: We will treat everyone equally, regardless of who they are or their age. We will ensure that everyone feels safe, welcome, and respected.
Inform: We will ensure that young people and children are informed of their physical, emotional, and online rights and what actions to take if they feel unsafe.
Family and community: Where it is safe to do so, we will involve families and communities in our approach to child safety and wellbeing.
Help: We will help young people and children to work towards their goals in life.
Safety: We will ensure young people and children feel safe and comfortable in our care. All persons in our organisation will be supported to safely disclose risks of harm to young people and children. We will take seriously, and act immediately in relation to, any reports of child abuse.
Staff and volunteers: We will ensure that all workers whom we engage have been appropriately screened and trained to work positively with young people and children.
Include children in decisions: We will seek input and feedback from young people and children and empower them to participate in decisions affecting their lives or care.
Give voice: We will help young people and children to voice their concerns and complaints about the organisation, and we will take their input seriously.
Safe environment: We will ensure that our physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing.
Policies and procedures: We will document, regularly review, and continuously improve our policies and procedures to promote and uphold child safety and wellbeing.
Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework
Karinya is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people from all forms of harm whilst in our care. The Framework has two main parts - the Child and Youth Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
The Child and Youth Safe Standards comprises ten principles that outline how Karinya has developed a culture with child safety and wellbeing at its core.
The Reportable Conduct Scheme is about creating a culture where Karinya engages with children and young people and investigates concerns about their wellbeing in a transparent, safe, and child-centred way.
These ten principles are underpinned by a Universal Principle that ensures the right to cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is respected.
For further information on the framework is available in Our Resources - Other Contacts.