Annual Report
2021–2022
Statement of Purpose
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement will:
1. Develop and provide a range of specialist interventions and innovative education
services, informed by evidence-based practice, for grieving people who are at risk
of adverse outcomes;
2. Provide grief education and a range of consultancy services to develop and
enhance the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities to deal
effectively with loss;
3. Provide grief and bereavement counselling training and supervision through the
placement of practitioners at the ACGB Counselling and Support Service and other
settings as deemed appropriate;
4. Build the capacity of the universal health services to provide bereavement supports
and responses;
5. Provide advocacy and representation on grief and bereavement issues in order
to inform policy development, raise community awareness and support universal
access to mainstream grief and bereavement services;
6. Undertake research, program evaluation, public policy development and the
production of evidence-based publications and resources to enhance grief and
bereavement knowledge and practice;
7. Maintain cooperative links with relevant state, national and international groups
and organisations in relation to grief and bereavement;
8. Promote, develop and monitor competence in bereavement practice;
9. Collect and raise funds for the promotion of the preceding purposes and objects
of the ACGB;
10. Do such things as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the purposes
and objects set out in this constitution; and
11. Embrace other purposes and objects as may be decided by the Board from time
to time.
Mission Statement
We support grieving
Australians through
advocacy, evidence-
informed practice
and education
The Australian Centre
for Grief and Bereavement
The Australian Centre for Grief
and Bereavement (ACGB) is
an independent, not-for-profit
organisation, which was established in
1996 to provide a range of education,
training, research and professional
service options for those working in
the area of grief and bereavement.
Opportunities are available for those
working with grieving people and for
members of the community to attend
seminars, workshops and courses,
undertake clinical work placements
and receive supervision. Customised
training, consultation and tailored
solutions are also available to
organisations on issues of grief, loss
and bereavement.
ACGB is funded by the Department of
Health and Human Services to provide
a state-wide specialist bereavement
service for individuals, children and
families who need assistance following
the death of someone close to them.
A range of specialist services and
programs are provided, including
office-based bereavement counselling,
regional specialist bereavement
counsellors, a range of support
groups, written resource material and
newsletters, an annual ceremony
of remembrance, bereavement
information and referral service for
the general public and an advice and
consultation service for workers in other
settings. Volunteers are integral to the
delivery of the wide range of services
provided by ACGB.
Since 2021 ACGB has also received
funding from Department of Health
(Commonwealth Government) to
provide specialist bereavement services
and support to those impacted by
COVID-19 across the aged care sector.
The Carers Recognition Act 2012 (the
Act) came into effect on 1 July 2012.
The purpose of the Act is to recognise,
promote and value the role of people
in care relationships. It formally
acknowledges the vital contribution
that people in care relationships make
to our community and the unique
knowledge that carers hold of the
person in their care. The Centre takes
all practical measures to comply with
the care relationship principles in the
Act and reflects them when developing
and implementing support for people
in care relationships. ACGB undertakes
a range of activities, including staff
training and policy development, in
order to comply with the Act.
Board of Directors
Chairperson
Paraskevi (Vicki) Kyritsis,
GradDipPublicRelations, BA, BSW,
CertIVTAA
Director and Secretary
Robert Law, BA (Hons), MA, MDipl (Hons)
Directors
Michael Ashby, MD, BM, BSurgery,
MRCP(UK), FRCR, FRACP, FAChPM,
FFPMANZCA
Philip Bachelor, OAM, BAppSc, MBA, PhD,
FIML, FAICD.
Lauren Breen, BSc (Hons), GradCertEd,
PhD, MAPS
Rajkumar Mathiravedu GAICD, MBA, MS
Partha Nag, MA, BBus (Mgt), DipBus, CPA,
MAICD
Ella MacDougall BA, BHSc, BLLP, MBA,
MAICD, FGIA
Mandy Pengilly GradCertCarCounsel,
MAICD
Jacqui Weatherill BA. Grad Dip (Sp Sci)
MBA GAICD
Patron
Walter Mikac AM
Staff
Chief Executive Officer
Christopher Hall, MA,
GradDipAdol&ChildPsych, BEd,
CertIVTAE, MAPS, MAICD, FAIM
Executive Assistant
Kate Foreman
Manager – Corporate Services
Geoff Wakefield, BEc, CPA
Customer Service Coordinator
Alina Oberbichler
Corporate and Customer Support Officer
Simone Skinner (Until 17 September 2021)
Corporate Support Officer
Linda Jenkins (From 27 September 2021)
Accountant / Business Analyst
Lan Mai, BAcc, CA (Until 17 November 2021)
Finance Special Projects Officer
Helen Russo
Accounts Payable
Tristan Heffey, BBus (Marketing), MAcctg
Finance Officer
Nawal Jabbour (From 18 May 2022)
Manager – Education and Health
Promotions
Bianca Lavorgna (BSc, GradCertBer,
Couns&Int, CBP, MA Couns & Psych
(From 7 March 2022)
Online Learning and Events Officer
Cassandra Leckie (Until 27 May 2022)
Marketing Officer
Sherly Gunawan, BAMark., AdvDip Bus
(Until 17 November 2021)
Clinical Educator
Rebecca Coombes, Bb AppSc, MA Couns,
BAppSc (Psychology)
Education Enrolment and Support Officer
Diana Florez, B.Soc.Comms., Dip.Mark.
Education Development Coordinator
Danielle Snoxell, AssDip Social Science,
ADip Children Services, BTeach (Early
Childhood), Cert IV TAE40110 (Until 17
November 2021)
Manager – Bereavement Counselling and
Support Services
Jasminka Kosanovic, MSW, MIH,
PGCertAOD (Until 30 November 2021)
Acknowledgements
The Centre would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts and dedication of our Board of Directors, staff, practitioner associates,
professional educators and many volunteers.
Susan Meyerink, BSocWelf,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, DipBusMgt&HR,
CBP (From 20 December 2021)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor,
Support Group Coordinator &
Resource Developer
Jo Baker, BANurs; DipCoun, DipMid, RGN,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, CBP
Team Leader - Intake
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Sue Cameron, DipWelfare,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, CBP
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Clinical Educator and Supervisor
Coordinator of the Internship and
Practitioner Associates Program
Anita Hoare, MSW,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, M.Couns &
Human Service, DipEd, BA, CBP
Team Leader -
Feedback Informed Treatment
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Miguel Lopez, BSoSc, BPsych, CBP
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor.
Intake Worker
KG2 Children’s and Support
Group Programs
Hayley Lowe, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
BCouns, DipChildServ, Cert111ChildSrvc
(Maternity Leave from 2 May 2022)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Mustafa Kouklan, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
Bachelor of Social Work, Associate
Diploma in Welfare Studies, Cert IV
Business (Frontline Management), Cert
IV Group Facilitation, Cert III Aged Care
(From 9 September 2021)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor.
Intake Worker
Anne-Marie Holten, BscNutrDiet,
MaPublicSectorMgt, GradCertClinPastoral
Ed1,11&Adv, GradCertBerCouns&Int (From
11 October 2021)
Bereavement Counsellor. Intake Worker
Kelly Morrish, MProfPsych, BCrim/
BPsychSc(Hons), GradCertBerCouns&Int
DipPara, DipCommServ(Child Care). (From
19 April 2022)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor.
Intake Worker
Susan Pascoe, BEd (Until 1 July 2021)
Administration and Support Officer
Cassandra Leckie (Until 27 May 2022)
Manager – Aged Care Grief and
Bereavement Program
Ric Ellis, MBA
Team Leader – Counselling, Aged Care
Grief and Bereavement Service
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor,
Supervisor & Group Facilitator.
Janice Butera, BA (Psych & WomensSt),
GradDipCouns, MA(Couns),
GradCertBerCouns&Int, MSW, CBP
Team Leader Education – Aged Care
Grief and Bereavement Service
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Support Group Programs, Clinical
Educator and Supervisor
Jackie Tarabay, BCouns,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, Cert1V TAE, CBP
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Sue Adams, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
GradDip Genetic Counselling
(From 18 November 2021)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Dr Hellen Kemp, MPsych, BA (Psychology
and Humanities), Postgrad-DipPsych
(From 15 November 2021)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Kim Aburazak, GradCertBerCoun&Int,
Masters in Social Work, Bachelor of
Human Services, AdvDipDisability,
Certificate IV Training and Education,
Level 3 (Professional) in Auslan, AssocDip
in Welfare Studies
(From 25 November 2021)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Peter Comino B.A. (psych) Grad. Dip (Soc.
Wk) (From 11 April 2022)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Patricia Hockley BSW,
GradCertBerCoun&Int (From 2 June 2022)
Specialist Bereavement Counsellor
Support Group Coordinator
Alexa Powell MSW, Grad Dip Conflict, BA
(Until 30 September 2021)
Peer Support Development
Carissa Kuswanto, DP, MA (Sc), B Sc,
(Until 27 July 2021)
Peer Support Program
Linda Shaw, BCouns,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, CertIV TAE,
(Until 17 June 2021)
Community Engagement/Admin Support
Jennifer Carnell (From 30 August 2021)
Interns, Practitioner
Associates and Support
Group Facilitators
The Australian Centre for Grief and
Bereavement supports Interns,
Practitioner Associates and Support
Group Facilitators in their roles delivering
bereavement support services to
ACGB clients. Without our Volunteers so
generously giving their time, effort and
skills, ACGB would be unable to provide
the level and range of counselling and
support services offered to bereaved
children, young people, adults, couples
and families. Practitioner associates
are specialist bereavement counsellors
who have completed their internship
placement and apply to continue
working as a volunteer with ACGB. Our
Support Group Facilitators are both
professionals and non-professionals who
have been trained to work with bereaved
people in a range of roles and capacities.
Some of our Practitioner Associates also
co-facilitate support groups. Volunteers
provided services to clients online and
continued to develop their expertise.
The co-ordinator of the Interns and
Practitioner Associates has developed
a bimonthly community of practice
where clinical topics are discussed and
information is shared. ACGB volunteers
are given free access to all relevant
professional development provided by
ACGB to ensure they remain up to date
with the latest trends.
The following is a list of practitioner
associates who generously have
contributed their time to ACGB during the
2022-2022 financial year.
Kim Abdurazak
MSocialWork, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
CertIV TAE, AdvDip DisabilityWorkLevel3,
NAATI Auslan
Bruno Chene
BA, BSE, MSW, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
CBP
Faith Goircelaya
BCS,GradCertBerCouns&Int,
BachMusicTherapy, FamilyTherapy
Dianne Griffith
CertContempSomaticPsychotherapy,
GradCertBerCouns&Int
Nizra Haniffa
DipWelfPrac, BAComDevelop,
GradCertBerCouns&Int
Christina Havlin
BachDegreeCouns, CBP
Anne-Marie Holten
BscNutrDiet, MaPublicSectorMgt,
GradCertClinPastoral Ed1,11&Adv,
GradCertBerCouns&Int
Mustafa Kouklan
BSW, DipWelfStud,
GradCertBerCouns&Int
Dr Maree McClutcheon
EdD, MEdSt, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
BSpecEd, CertPrim&SpecEd, ACA Level2,
CBP
Teresa Pace Gandolfo
CertIVTCS, Cert1VTAE, DipComWelf,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, CBP
Liz Powell
RegNurse, AdCertCouns&Psychotherapy,
GradDipTraumaCouns,
GradCertBerCouns&Int, CertIVTelCouns
Carmel Richardson
BSSc (PastoralCouns),
GradCertBerCouns&Int
Rae Silverstein
GradDipSpecEd,
GradDipMentalHlthforTeachProfs,
SpecCertBerCouns,
SpecCertBerCounsPrac, TPTC
Ros Tatarka
BEd, MSocSc (Couns & HumServ)
Doug Thompson
BSW, GradCertBerCouns&Int, CBP
Ayumi Wantanabe-Roberts
BSW, GradCertBerCouns&Int
Julie Jensen
AdvCertTraumaCouns, AdvDipGroupFac,
BehavSc(Psych), GradCertBerCouns&Int,
CBP.
The following is a list of support group
facilitators who have generously
contributed to ACGB during the 2021-
2022 financial year.
Anton Anagnostou
Anne Carr
Bruno Chene
BA, BSE, MSW, GradCertBerCouns&Int,
CBP
Mark Dean
Pauline Shilkin
BSWGradDipAdultEd
Hayley Russell
MSocSc, GradCertBerCouns&Int
Antoinette Tataro
DipCounselling
Yimfong Voon
GradDipCounsMasters
Coupls&RelationshipCouns, Supervision
SystemicTherapy,CertBerevement Studies
The following is a list of interns who have
contributed to ACGB during the 2021-
2022 financial year.
Dr Hellen Kemp
BAPsych, PostGradPsych, MastersCouns
Sonya Taylor
BSW, PostGradCertSocialWorkforAdults,
GradCertBerCouns&Int
Sponsorship and
Major Contributions
Department of Health and Human
Services, Victoria
Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Government
Chairperson’s Report
I continue to be impressed by the professionalism and commitment our
dedicated ACGB staff and volunteers have shown in carrying out their work
during the particularly trying circumstances of 2021–22.
Dear colleagues, friends and supporters,
On behalf of the board, it is my great
pleasure to present the Australian Centre
for Grief and Bereavement’s (ACGB)
2021/2022 Annual Report.
The report does provide an excellent
overview of our many achievements
in what has been one of the most
challenging times for our organisation.
I would particularly draw attention to our
work in setting our new 2023-25 Strategic
Plan. The development of this new strategic
direction was overseen and approved by
the Board and built on the achievements
of our previous strategic directions. The
new Strategic Plan articulates our goals
and initiatives for the next three years
and reaffirms our values, which guide all
aspects of our work. In addition, the Plan
sets out our key strategic initiatives:
• prioritising people;
• developing innovative new ways of
providing grief support;
• building our capacity for research and
evaluation;
• strengthening certification in
bereavement practice;
• deeper partnerships with service users
and other providers;
• a focus on meeting the needs of our
diverse communities;
• leveraging data; and,
• strengthening our training programs
through new courses and enhanced
flexibility.
Implementation of the Plan will result in
a deeper integration of our clinical,
educational and research activities. I am
confident that ACGB will achieve these
goals.
I continue to be impressed by the
professionalism and commitment our
dedicated ACGB staff and volunteers
have shown in carrying out their
work during the particularly trying
circumstances of 2021–22.
It would be remiss of me not to
specifically acknowledge and thank
Christopher Hall, our Chief Executive
Officer. He is an exemplary leader who
leads with integrity, respect, passion and
commitment. This is reflected in the way
he has created such a strong team of
staff and volunteers at ACGB. In addition,
his dedication to ACGB has seen him
expand our reaches even beyond
Australia, with services in other countries
keen to learn from our achievements.
I would also like to thank Robert, our
company secretary who, over the last
12 months, has been a source of wise
counsel to other Board members and me
as Chair. Finally, to my fellow Directors
- Ella, Jacquie, Lauren, Mandy, Michael,
Partha, Philip and Raj, thank you all for
your hard work, dedication and invaluable
contributions to the work of ACGB. The
voluntary contribution of your undoubted
expertise is most appreciated.
Having been a Board Member for over 11
years, the time is coming for me to take a
break from ACGB both as a Board Member
and as Chair. It has been an absolute
pleasure and an honour to have worked
alongside you on our common journey in
support of the ACGB and its mission.
Finally, I commend this Annual Report to
you all and, with confidence, offer my best
wishes to all at ACGB for the year ahead.
Vicki Kyritsis
Chairperson
Board of Directors
Australian Centre for Grief
and Bereavement
CEO’S Report
As Australia’s leading voice on grief, and a global leader in providing evidence-
informed grief counselling and education services, ACGB remains steadfastly
committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-informed bereavement care and
training for health professionals and communities throughout Australia.
The Board of Directors has maintained
a sharp focus on governance issues and
how the organisation can continue to
meet the broad range of needs of clients,
service users and other key stakeholders.
Following extensive consultation, the
Board approved our 2023-25 strategic
plan, which sets out an ambitious and
exciting vision for the organisation. This
work is guided by our commitment to
supporting those who grieve by providing
services grounded in respect, best
evidence, responsiveness, collaboration,
integrity and by building expertise and
improving well-being.
Our strategic plan articulates our
goals and initiatives for the next three
years and reaffirms our values, which
guide all aspects of our work. The
strategic initiatives include - prioritising
people, developing innovative new
ways of providing grief support,
building our capacity for research and
evaluation, strengthening certification
in bereavement practice, deeper
partnerships with service users and
other providers, a focus on meeting
the needs of our diverse communities,
leveraging data and by strengthening
our training programs through new
courses and enhanced flexibility. This
plan also sees a deeper integration of
our clinical, educational and research
activities. The plan weaves together three
overarching themes - Internal Capability
to drive our core mission by developing
our people and our business processes,
deep Community Engagement with
the communities that we serve and
Organisational Growth which addresses
strategies to meet current and emerging
needs. We look forward to delivering on
these goals.
In the past year, ACGB, in partnership
with Taylor & Grace, completed a brand
and marketing review. This work will
result in some exciting and far-reaching
organisational changes, more of which
will be said in early 2023.
Three large pieces of work have
continued throughout the reporting
period. These have included work
on (i) achieving compliance with the
National Safety and Quality Primary
Healthcare Standards, (ii) development
of our Reconciliation Action Plan, which
will allow ACGB to sustainably and
strategically take meaningful action to
advance reconciliation and (iii) Rainbow
Tick accreditation, which will see ACGB
become more responsive to the needs of
the LGBTIQ community.
I wish to note the vital contribution of
the management team. In late 2021,
Susan Meyerink agreed to take up the
role of Manager of our Bereavement
Counselling and Support Service for 12
months, and I am indebted to Susan for
the skills and care she has brought to
this role. Geoff Wakefield our Manager
of Corporate Services has continued
to provide skilled leadership in finance
and business planning. Ric Ellis has
capably led our Aged Care Grief and
Bereavement Program which has seen
a comprehensive program of grief and
bereavement support rolled out to aged
care facilities throughout Australia. Finally,
this year Bianca Lavorgna moved into
the role of Manager of our Education and
Health Promotion program. She has done
so with vision and energy, and I thank
her for the important contribution she
has made. I would also like to thank my
Executive Assistant Kate Foreman for her
support over the past 12 months.
I want to acknowledge the dedication
and commitment of the Board of
10
Directors, staff and volunteers of ACGB.
I wish to thank Vicki Kyritsis, who has
fulfilled the role of President with great
skill and dedication. ACGB has benefitted
greatly from her leadership. I would also
like to thank Dr Michael Ashby, Dr Philip
Bachelor, Dr Lauren Breen, Robert Law,
Ella McDougall, Rajkumar Mathiravedu,
Partha Nag, Mandy Pengilly and Jacqui
Weatherill for their ongoing support
and contribution to ACGB as Directors.
I want to acknowledge Vicki Kyritsis
and Dr Michael Ashby as they leave
the ACGB board. Michael has had a
long-standing connection with ACGB
both as an inaugural member of the
then committee of management in 1996
and in providing an opportunity for the
then Centre for Grief Education to have
a home alongside his Palliative Care
service at Monash Medical Centre. Vicki
was first elected to the board in 2011 and
has been a steadfast supporter of the
organisation. I thank them both for their
long service to ACGB.
I wish to thank the staff employed by
ACGB who have brought great passion,
enthusiasm and creativity to their work. I
also want to acknowledge the financial
support of the Victorian Department
of Health and Human Services, the
Australian Government Department of
Health and Primary Health Networks,
who enables ACGB to offer the range of
programs and services that it does.
The organisation continues to build upon
its strengths – a proud record of meeting
the needs of the bereaved, strong
governance and management, and a
skilled group of staff and volunteers –
and in doing so, continues to find new
ways of providing sustainable, high-
quality education, bereavement care and
research programs for all Australians.
I look forward to working with
governments, the board, staff, volunteers
and members in working collaboratively
towards creating an Australia where
grieving people are understood,
respected, and supported.
Christopher Hall
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Centre for Grief and
Bereavement
The organisation
continues to build
upon its strengths
– a proud record
of meeting the
needs of the
bereaved, strong
governance and
management,
and a skilled
group of staff
and volunteers
– and in doing
so, continues to
find new ways
of providing
sustainable, high-
quality education,
bereavement
care and research
programs for all
Australians.
11
Education
The new COVID
environment has
continued to impact
our education program.
It has also allowed for
a recognised need
for course review and
development for all
education material
and content.
Self-paced short courses have been
less in demand for 2022, with individual
interest declining. However, we have
seen an emergence of interest from
organisations bulk purchasing on behalf
of their staff. We have continued to run
our monthly webinars with strong interest
from practitioners throughout Australia.
However, we have seen an emergence
of interest from organisations bulk
purchasing on behalf of their staff. We
have continued to run our monthly
webinars with strong interest from
practitioners throughout Australia.
We have developed a range of online
customised training packages that
have been tailored to the needs of
organisations. This year, we have seen a
substantial increase in requests and interest
for these tailored support programs.
In response to the decline in Customised
Training delivery during the onset of
COVID-19, we have developed a range
of online customised training packages
that can be tailored to the needs of
organisations. This year, we have seen
a substantial increase in requests and
interest, with a finical income of $118,231.00.
775NAT Graduate Certificate in Bereavement
Counselling and Intervention
As a result of ACGB reviewing our material and content, we only held one Graduate
Certificate program during this financial year. We also recognised that many in the
health sector could not commit to the demands of the 12-month course given the
current COVID-related workloads and that a short course may be a more appropriate
option in these covid times. The course has been placed on hold and is currently
under review. In addition, work was also placed on hold for the Cert IV course, with the
previous course being completed 2020.
12
Table 1 - Education training activity
2019 - 20
2020 - 21
2021 - 22
Event
Type
Number
of Events
Training
Hours
Total
Students
Number
of Events
Training
Hours
Total
Students
Number
of Events
Training
Hours
Total
Students
Workshops
22
154
202
Short Courses
39
273
763
34
170
461
Customised Training
11
46
223
20
102
766
18
58
440
Webinars
11
17
1,500
17
26
2,249
13.5
674
Graduate Certificate
2,640
64
3,960
82
54
Cert IV
500
45
3,960
82
Totals
44
1,377
2,034
76
4,361
3,860
61
295.5
1584
13
Tenders Granted
ACGB has applied and received two
tenders, the Paediatric Palliative Care
Consultancy Project and the Grief
Informed School Care (GISC) program.
The financial return will be seen in next
year’s report.
Informed School Care
(GISC) Program
In response to Recommendation 17 of
the Royal Commission into Victoria’s
Mental Health System, the Department
of Education and Training (Organisation)
is establishing the full Schools Mental
Health Menu (the Menu), which will
give schools confidence in purchasing
evidence-based programs and
interventions.
The GISC program is a whole-
school approach designed to
increase knowledge, awareness, and
responsiveness to bereaved students,
families, teachers, staff and the wider
schooling community. Given the
importance of social support in a healthy
adaption to a loss, the school community
have the opportunity to provide students
with appropriate social and emotional
support and a safe learning environment
to discuss and share their grieving
experiences openly. For schools to
provide this, they need to be prepared,
adequately trained, informed and
supported on how to manage bereaved
students and understand the impact on
themselves. This program includes online
pre-recorded training for teachers and
school staff, a Grief Response Kit designed
to assist schools with a bereaved student
or when death impacts the school, and
resources for families and students.
Paediatric Palliative Care
Consultancy Project
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the
national peak for palliative care in
Australia. In collaboration with Paediatric
Palliative Care Australia and New Zealand
(PaPCANZ), PCA has been funded by the
Commonwealth Department of Health
to deliver the Paediatric Palliative Care –
National Action Plan project.
One of the activities in the National
Action Plan is to provide resources for
medical and support staff to build
resilience and enhance self–care.
This project has enlisted the consultancy
service of ACGB to identify issues
influencing the sustainability of the
paediatric palliative care workforce
and offer resources that will help build
resilience and enhance self-care.
14
15
Grief and Bereavement
Counselling and Support
Service
The Australian Centre for
Grief and Bereavement
operates a national
specialist grief
bereavement service
funded across several
programs on behalf of
the Commonwealth and
State departments and
agencies. In Victoria
specialist bereavement
counsellors provide
support to bereaved
individuals, families and
children following the
death of someone close
to them.
The Grief and Bereavement Counselling
Support Service provides the following
services:
• Counselling by a team of specialist
bereavement counsellors, including
practitioner associates and interns.
Counselling is provided face-to-face,
by telephone or online via telehealth.
• Specialised counselling support for
clients identifying with symptoms of
complex or prolonged grief disorder.
• A range of open and closed
bereavement support groups including
bereaved partners, younger bereaved
partners, death of a parent, children’s
groups, men’s groups, companion
animal loss and grief talks.
• Clinical supervision, secondary
consultation and debriefing support
to external practitioners on a fee for
service basis.
• Response to enquiries and requests
for information from a range of
organisations, employers, community
groups, schools and private
practitioners seeking professional
advice to effectively provide support
for bereavement, grief and loss.
• Provision of resources relating to grief
and bereavement for professionals
and the bereaved, including
publications, fact sheets and books.
• Advanced training, professional
development and clinical supervision
to Practitioner Associates.
• Internship Program that provides
training and clinical supervision.
• Coordination of the Certified
Bereavement Practitioner Program.
• Editorial, preparation and dissemination
of the Bereavement Practice Newsletter
for practitioners and the Rosemary
Branch Newsletter which is prepared
specifically for clients.
BCSS delivers a variety of accessible
clinical supports and interventions
tailored to meet the specific needs of
individuals and families experiencing
grief and bereavement. These include
intake and assessment, counselling
and therapeutic support groups. We
use evidence informed practices such
as Feedback Informed Treatment to
demonstrate therapeutic changes
for individuals and families accessing
our services.
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Specialist Clinical
Services
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted upon
how we delivered our counselling and
support group services, with services
being provided via online counselling
and telephone. Counsellors and clients
adapted well to this new way of working
including learning new technology. Being
able to provide services via Telehealth
has meant the BCSS can now provide
services Australia wide.
The Intake and Assessment team have
continued to facilitate client entry into
our program using comprehensive
screening and assessment tools to
ascertain suitable care which considers
clients’ needs and preferences. Referrals
are received by telephone, email and
webform. Like many other specialist
health services BCSS has experienced
a longer waiting list and clients on the
waiting list have been provided with
psychoeducation and bridging support.
Clients with more complex needs such as
Prolonged Grief Disorder are prioritised
and provided with specialist care.
The service currently operates a wide
range of bereavement support groups
for adults and children experiencing
bereavement. These support groups
provide a forum for emotional, practical
and moral support. The range of support
groups that operated this year were for
bereaved partners, younger bereaved
partners, death of a parent, companion
animal loss, men’s groups and grief talks.
BCSS also runs Kids Grieve Too (KG2) which
is a closed support group program for
bereaved children aged 6-12 years. KG2 is
a caring and supportive group that assists
these children to explore and express their
grief in creative ways with an emphasis on
encouraging them develop the skills and
strengths to help them adapt to their loss.
Clinical Supervision
BCSS has a team of specialist clinical
supervisors that provide both internal and
external supervision. Interns, Practitioner
Associates and Support Group
Facilitators are provided with regular
internal supervision. External supervision
is provided to external practitioners who
work in a variety of settings. All specialist
bereavement counsellors receive external
supervision from clinical supervisors.
Professional
Development
The Specialist Bereavement
Counselling team has continued to
offer evidence-informed counselling
intervention with counsellors updating
and enhancing their counselling skills and
practice on an ongoing basis. Counsellors
also provide professional development
for Interns, Practitioner Associates and
Support Group Facilitators.
Capacity Building
ACGB offers a range of resources
and books available through our
website to share expertise and to
build capacity. ACGB also provides
secondary consultations to other health
professionals such as psychologists, case
managers and school well-being officers,
across Australia.
Research and Evaluation
ACGB remains up to date with
contemporary and innovative research
that informs therapeutic service
delivery and outcomes. Since 2018
we have incorporated Feedback
Informed Treatment (FIT), a theoretical
approach that is evidence, with the
aim of evaluating and improving the
effectiveness of our services. The
incorporation of FIT has directly
benefited our clients on receiving
individualised care resulting in
improved clinical outcomes.
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Certified Bereavement
Practitioner Program
The Certified Bereavement Practitioner
(CBP) Program ensures that bereavement
practitioners who have undertaken
specialised training are given due
recognition. Staff, practitioner associates
and external practitioners who meet the
criteria are eligible to apply for
the status of CBP. All CBP practitioners
are listed on the ACGB website. As of
30 June 2022, there was a total of 41
CBP’s listed nationally.
Grief and Bereavement
Counselling Support
Service Data
During 2021–2022 the ACGB provided
counselling to 796 clients with a total of
5,332 counselling sessions conducted.
The number of people accessing
the Aged Care program has steadily
increased over the year with counselling
sessions and group activity up buy 119%
in the last quarter of 2021-2022 when
compared to the first quarter.
Professional
Development
Professional development, case
discussions and training opportunities
are provided on a regular basis to all
specialist bereavement counsellors,
interns, practitioner associates and
support group facilitators. Professional
development activities support the
integration of contemporary grief and
bereavement research and theory into
practice and opportunities to meet with
others to discuss and critically reflect
upon work challenges.
Aged Care
ACGB have created a peer-led support
pack, including resources and a training
program to support the delivery of
peer-led support sessions within aged
care facilities and communities. ACGB
are providing consultancy and advice
to other community groups to help build
the capacity of their leadership when
working with grief. This support is primarily
targeted at communities of people
(e.g. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
(CALD)) who may be unlikely to contact a
stranger for advice and are more likely to
engage with their religious, spiritual and
community leaders
Following a slow build-up in the first six
months of 2021, there has been steady
build-up of people and organisations
becoming aware of and accessing of our
Aged Care services. To develop closer
engagement with the sector ACGB
have recruited Community Engagement
officers. These roles have been developed
to represent ACGB and its services
to the Aged Care community and to
develop strong relationships with sector
leaders. They also provide information on
emerging issues enabling us to develop
measured responses and resources.
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Aged Care COVID-19
Grief and Bereavement Program
ACGB are providing a range of
clinical and educational supports for
people in the sector who are or have
experienced grief and loss due to COVID
and supporting capacity building
with community groups and other
organisations across the sector. The initial
project was intended for a 12-month
period however, due to the slow uptake
the Department of Health have granted
an extension to the timeline allowing
ACGB to continue to provide support.
The Australian Centre for Grief and
Bereavement’s has:
• established the National Telephone
Support Service 1800 22200.
• developed and distributed printed
resources in plain English and
translated into five major languages;
Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese
Traditional, Vietnamese and Greek.
• established an aged care specific
website www.aged.grief.com.au
• delivered a series of webinars.
• developed a peer support session pack.
Clinical support is being provided by
team leaders and counsellors from ACGB
all of whom are specialist bereavement
practitioners and experienced clinicians
focused on supporting those in the aged
care sector.
The primary reason for accessing our
clinical support must be related to
COVID-19. However, the grief being
experienced may relate to other losses
as well as a bereavement from death
including the loss of lifestyle.
Clinical support provided under the
Package includes:
• a national toll-free telephone service,
using a dedicated 1800 number, to
immediately link aged care recipients
and their loved ones who have
been impacted by COVID-19 with
counsellors
• telehealth support from counsellors
• Face to face counselling in residential
aged care facilities (RACFs) . This
counselling includes group and
individual support.
• SMS service to access information and
referral to counselling and support
• support and advice via the MyGrief
app.
Aged Care Website
Educational resources are housed on a
dedicated aged care support website:
https://aged.grief.org.au. ACGB is
providing self-care resources including
a series of webinars and factsheets for
families, loved ones and aged care staff.
COVID-19 continues to
have a significant impact
across the Aged Care
sector with a reported
4000+ deaths due to
the pandemic. The
Australian Government
through the Department
of Health has invested
in a Grief and Trauma
Support Program to
help those impacted
by COVID-19 across the
aged care sector. This
project is available to
people receiving an
Aged Care Package, as
well as their loved ones,
and the staff providing
care and support.
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