Navigating through a pandemic

The devastation of the 2019-20 summer bushfires felt like a distant memory when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Yet, the impact and lives lost were far from forgotten. “At the time, we couldn’t grasp the full scale of the destruction and loss, nor could we foresee the challenges 2020 would bring as the pandemic brought the world to a standstill,” remembers Lisa. 

Throughout most of 2020 and 2021, our lives were dominated by COVID-19. Worry, loneliness, financial stress, fatigue, depression, and disruption affected us all. This prompted Lisa to reflect;

“This ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ feeling for many of us is the everyday reality for at-risk children, young people, and families across Australia who live with constant displacement and uncertainty.” 

The pandemic significantly increased the risk of families being separated and children entering care. Families were at breaking point, disadvantaged by a virus that impacted us all—individually, socially, and economically. 

This stark reality motivated Lisa, the executive leadership team, the board, and our incredible staff to step up, like never before, ensuring we could support those who were facing such vulnerable times.

As well as the threat of the virus, the mental health of our staff, carers, children, young people and the families we work with was a significant concern. The reality that this pandemic would have a devastating long-term effect on vulnerable children, young people and families saw our staff and carers step up like never before. 

Supporting our staff and OzChild carers so they could focus on the work they do was at the forefront of our response to the pandemic. Our team of committed and enthusiastic staff members with their positive can-do attitudes and willingness to collaborate, made a significant difference in how quickly and effectively we adapted.  

“The OzChild Board played a crucial role in our preparedness for the challenges of working from home. Their prior support for significant investments in technology and resources enabled us to work successfully from anywhere at any time. This foresight was invaluable during the crisis. The Board’s unwavering commitment to ensuring our people are set up for success and can achieve life-changing results is truly remarkable,” says Lisa. 

While the coronavirus crisis altered the way we delivered our services and provided support, we did not halt any service delivery or support for carers, children, and young people. Utilising technology and ensuring access to virtual case management and support ensured no one was left behind. This shift not only helped us navigate the immediate crisis but also changed the way we work, engage, and connect, benefiting us in the years that have since followed.