“Wanting to work with families who have lots of complexities and wanting to help in any way that I can ... that’s what made me want to be a social worker,” Sarah Keenan said.
For four years, Sarah has held this role at Banmira Specialist School.
Splitting her time between the junior and senior campuses, the social worker’s responsibilities vary daily in the wellbeing team’s delivery of a “wraparound service”.
Sarah coordinates these services to remove barriers for families with children with additional needs, pooling resources with external community organisations like FoodShare and Foodbank.
“We give hampers out to families needing extra help with food and other essentials,” she said.
“For families that cannot come to school to pick up items, we deliver, and that also allows us to touch base with them.”
Yes, there are delivery drivers at Banmira, but did you know there is also a doctor in the house?
Part of Sarah’s role is coordinating the school’s paediatric clinic, an initiative of the Neighbourhood Schools program.
“If things out of clinic times happen, there is access to a paediatrician who can write a script or offer advice, which is huge for our families,” she said.
At the senior campus, Sarah’s tasks expand to include general counselling, working alongside a mental health practitioner and psychologist.
Then there are practical matters like helping families secure the appropriate Centrelink payments and navigating NDIS funding.
She does it all – and boosts others’ confidence in her while she’s at it.
“It’s about being proactive,” Sarah said.
“It’s also about being aware of what’s going on for families and making sure they know we are always there for them – we’re in the car park at pick-up and drop-off times to talk to, we introduce ourselves at events.
“Often trust can take a really long time to build with our families, particularly if they have tried to access services before and people have come and gone from their lives.
“But over time, we’re building trust and rapport.
“We know the relationships at the school make a really big difference in the kids’ lives.”
Asked about her hopes for the children she works with as they grow up, Sarah paused for a moment before giving a poignant answer.
“I hope they all live as independently as they can and as happily as they can,” she said.
“We want to set them up for life, to have great experiences and relationships, and to go on to be really great adults.”
– Taylah Baker
4°C