About Narang Bir-rong
Narang Bir-rong (formally known as Link-Up Family Services) began in 2008 as a program of Link-Up NSW Aboriginal Corporation. It operated under Link-Up NSW until February 2012 when Link-Up were unable to maintain accreditation through the Office of the Children’s Guardian. It was at this point when it was jointly decided by Family and Community Services (FaCS), Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec) and Link-Up NSW Aboriginal Corporation that the program would be transferred to Barnardos Australia who would hold it for a period of time until it was able to become an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
At this time the program was then renamed “Narang Bir-rong” which in the local Darug language translates to “Little Stars”.
12 months ago a board of Aboriginal directors was formed in order to create an incorporated association which would take over the management and governance of the Narang Bir-rong program. This organisation incorporated with the Office Registrar of Indigenous Organisations (ORIC) in August 2018 and is now known as Narang Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC).
Over the past 12 months NBAC and Barnardos have been working in partnership to officially establish NBAC to become an independent Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation who is now accredited with the Office and the Children’s Guardian and is on track to begin operation as of the 1 October 2019.
The Narang Bir-rong service currently provides and under NBAC will continue to provide culturally appropriate out of home care services for Aboriginal children as well as family support programs for Aboriginal families residing in the Western Sydney/Nepean Blue Mountains Districts.
What we do
Narang Bir-rong recruits, trains and supports Aboriginal out of home carers, and case manages children and young people in out of home care. Narang Bir-rong places Aboriginal children and young people in care situations that support their individual identity and self-esteem and that meet their social, emotional and behavioural needs.
What we believe
Narang Bir-rong believes that Aboriginal children are best raised by their own families however, when they are unable to remain at home, they should maintain connections with their community and kin.
Narang Bir-rong offers support to carers who have children or young persons in their care as a result of family kinship ties, and monitors the care of these children. All potential carers are assessed regardless of their relationship to the child or young person as the need for support and supervision are always based on the findings of the assessment.
Narang Bir-rong ensures that the child or young persons' family or kinship group are involved in all aspects of work such as case planning, providing support, reviewing and monitoring case plans and planning for children or young people to exit care.
Narang Bir-rong ensures that only people best able to meet the individual needs of children and young people are recruited as authorised carers and that carers receive appropriate training and on-going support for their roles. Narang Bir-rong also provides carers with opportunities to participate in decisions such as case planning and implementation and developing exit plans, and that carers have their rights upheld.
Narang Bir-rong is always looking for more Aboriginal carers. If you would like to know more or are interested in becoming a carer please call us on (02) 4729 1677 or email nbrecruit@barnardos.org.au.
Contact Details
Address: 2/36 Woodriff Street Penrith, NSW, 2750
PO Box: 573, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone: (02) 4729 1677
Fax: (02) 4729 1908
E-mail: nbrecruit@barnardos.org.au
For more information about Narang Bir-rong please download our brochure.
