OUR PROGRAMS
Multicultural Home Care Packages
CALD Way of Care
Does your elderly family member or loved one wish to keep living at home, but you’re worried about their wellbeing?
About the program
The Multicultural Home Care Packages (MHCPs) are funded by the Australian Governments Department of Social Services (DSS). It consists of home-based care provided by a bilingual care worker to meet the care needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) frail aged people. Our diverse services cater to a wide range of needs, with the primary aim to assist clients to meet health and wellbeing goals while
living independently at home. Our services aim to reduce isolation experienced by many frail aged CALD residents. Clients are also involved with the development of an individualized care plan in conjunction with the MHCPs Team Leader, taking into consideration current needs, preferences and support. The care plan is flexible and can be altered at any time to suit the changing needs of the client.
Our Packages
Our packages help people in leading a happy, healthy and independently life at home.
Perhaps it’s your Mother who is happy at home but needs someone to take her to do the grocery shopping. Or maybe your Father could use some help with light housework and home maintenance. This is the kind of thing we can help with:
We speak your language
Our high quality care services can be offered in English, though we also specialise in care that is tailored to any culture and delivered in any language. Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, Greek, Russian, Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Hindi are just some of the many languages we speak. Please contact us to discuss your language needs. Our unique CALD way of care makes all the difference when it comes to assist you or a loved one to maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of your own home and within your community.
Where we work?
We know Sydney through and through – it’s been our home for more than 40 years. We work with communities and individuals in Sydney’s Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and South-East. If your loved one is in this area too, we’d love to hear from you.
Why choose us?
SMCS has 40 years of experience
While Multilingual Home Care is just launching, our organisation has been around since 1981. That’s more than 30 years spent understanding the many cultures and languages of our neighbours, and working to serve the diverse needs of multicultural communities.
SMCS care workers love what they do
When someone loves what they do, it shows. Our care workers will treat your loved one as a member of the family because they want to – it’s what they do. Our team is qualified in aged care and experienced in providing the only kind of service that your loved one deserve the best. It is our specialty to provide dedicated and passionate personnel in many languages. Our care workers are from a CALD background themselves which makes all the difference when looking after someone. They are culturally sensitive and understand your background whilst they hold the relevant qualifications and work experience.
Additional home care
Often government funded Home Care packages are limited in either their availability, due to a strict monthly budget or long waiting lists. Also for various reasons some seniors in need for help are not eligible for packaged care. This is why we offer our full range of services directly to private fee paying clients.
It could be that your beloved mother only needs assistance in getting to de GP or to do her groceries. But it could also be more complex and your frail family member needs help with a range of tasks such as grooming, showering, light housework and home maintenance.
Sydney MCS offers additional hours to top up an existing Home Care package. Alternatively, we can also assist private fee paying clients with services whilst they are on a waiting list for packaged care or for the sole reason that they prefer to have a care worker speaking their language.
Our services differ from other Aged Care providers’ as we deliver all our services based on the cultural and linguistic needs of our clients with our unique CALD way of care.
Contributions
In addition to the government subsidy, you may be required to contribute towards the cost of your care based on your affordability. Your financial capacity to contribute will be assessed by the Australian Government through Department of Human Services. Together with one of our Home Care Coordinators we will establish a customised care plan, which reflects your personal needs and care preferences. Based on this plan you will be provided with a quotation before we start delivering any services.
Please click here to download our price list.
Learn more
Download the MHCP brochure below to learn more.
REFERRAL
If you would like to refer yourself or a client to this program, please click below for the referral form
BROKERAGE SERVICE
About the program
Our brokered Services are designed to meet the growing demand from other aged care service providers to deliver linguistically and culturally appropriate care for their CALD clients.
Sydney MCS provides bilingual and bicultural care workers to your organisation so your clients get the in-home care and support they need to remain living independently at home and enhancing the quality of their life in the context of their language and cultural background. When you choose to work with Sydney MCS you will profit from our unique CALD way of care Our care workers have the relevant education in Aged and Community Care and extensive work experience in the field. They will treat your clients as if they were our own because they simply love what they do.
living independently at home. Our services aim to reduce isolation experienced by many frail aged CALD residents. Clients are also involved with the development of an individualized care plan in conjunction with the MHCPs Team Leader, taking into consideration current needs, preferences and support. The care plan is flexible and can be altered at any time to suit the changing needs of the client.
Aged care support services
Depending on your client’s circumstances and preferences we provide a wide range of Aged Care Support Services in several languages, addressing the cultural uniqueness of your clients:
Depending your organisation’s need and capacity Sydney MCS can also deliver short or long term case management for your CALD clients. We are able to develop culturally appropriate care plans, conduct risk assessments in the client’s home and undertake home visits on your behalf.
All our brokered services are flexible and can be delivered across Sydney metropolitan area. Weather you need a care worker to fill in on short notice or long term, we are here to support you and your clients.
Our goal is to enhance the quality of life of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and we do that by providing exceptional service regardless of who the Home Care Package provider is.
To enquire about our care workers or obtain further information please contact our Home Care Coordinator on 02 9663 3922.
Learn more
Download the brokered services brochure below to learn more.
REFERRAL
If you would like to refer yourself or a client to this program, please click below for the referral form
CALD Community Visitors Scheme
Sydney MCS recruits, trains and supports volunteers to visit a resident either in an aged care facility or at home.
About the program
Social isolation is a big issue in the ageing community, but even bigger for seniors from a cultural and linguistic diverse background. For various reasons frail elderly withdraw from their local community and have minimal or no interaction with people. The CALD Community Visitors Scheme is an Australian Government funded program that identifies isolated seniors living in their own home or an aged care facility.
Regular visits by one of our volunteers speaking the language of the elderly person ensure that they are not marginalised and are socially included in the community. The aim of the program is to support seniors to establish and maintain links with the wider community, to increase socialisation, reduce isolation and provide companionship in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
Activities
A community visitor will regularly visit the person they are matched with – at least once a fortnight. The visitor and the resident may read, chat, do crosswords, reminisce or listen to music, watch TV together or go for a walk.
Community Visitors Scheme volunteers contribute to the social and cultural well-being of clients through regular visits, establishing and maintaining long term friendships.
Eligibility
Seniors from a culturally and linguistically diverse background residing in the South East and Inner West Sydney region, who are either living in their own home or in an aged care facility and who are lonely or socially isolated. This can also include residents who have few visits from family or friends or have communication or mobility issues.
Getting involved as a volunteer
Sydney MCS welcomes volunteers to participate in this program. If you are bilingual and interested in making a big difference in a senior’s life please click here for further information or call the CVS Coordinator to arrange a meetup.
For more information or if you know anyone who would benefit from a volunteer visitor please contact our CVS Coordinator on (02) 9663 3922 or email cvs@sydneymcs.org.au.
We currently require the following volunteers. You can click on the relevant job links to apply or send your resume to cvs@sydneymcs.org.au.
Vacancies:
- Greek Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Daceyville. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167910/greek-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
- Maltese Speaking Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Daceyville. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167913/maltese-speaking-volunteer-needed
- Greek Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Strathfield. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167917/greek-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
- Arabic/Lebanese Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Parramatta. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167918/arabic-lebanese-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
- Assyrian Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Botany. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167920/assyrian-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
- Hakka Speaking Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Peakhurst. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167922/hakka-speaking-volunteer-needed
- Tagalog Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a facility in Peakhurst. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167923/tagalog-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
- Tagalog Speaking Male Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a home in Rosebery. Preference will be given to applicants who loves to cook, go to the gym and has interest in sports such as boxing. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167924/tagalog-speaking-male-volunteer-needed
- Arabic/Lebanese Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a home in Belfield. Preference will be given to applicants of Christian faith. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167925/arabic-lebanese-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
- Portuguese Speaking Female Volunteer Needed to visit an elderly client at a home in Queens Park during the week on either Tuesday or Thursday. Click this link to apply on Seek – https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/167927/portuguese-speaking-female-volunteer-needed
Learn more
Download the CALD community visitors scheme brochure below to learn more.
REFERRAL
Anyone can make a referral to the CALD Community Visitors Scheme. If you know someone who is living at home whose quality of life would be enriched by friendly visits, please contact our Community Visitors Scheme Coordinator. If the person is residing in an aged care facility – please speak to the residential home’s management team about this program. The residential management team should identify people who may benefit from a visitor and refer them to Sydney MCS. Once contacted, we endeavor to match residents with a visitor who speaks their language and understands their culture.
To make a referral please click the button below to go to the referral form.
Settlement Engagement & Transition Support Program (SETS)
SETTLEMENT ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSITION SUPPORT (SETS) PROGRAM
Sydney MCS assists newly arrived migrants, humanitarian entrants and refugees with settling into their new country through our Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Program. The SETS Program is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services (DSS). The program provides settlement services to assist refugees and humanitarian entrants during the first five years of arrival in Australia.
Free services for migrants and refugees
Refugees and migrants who have arrived in Australia within five years and who reside in the following Local Government Areas can access our services for free
- Willoughby
- Lane Cove
- North Sydney
- Mosman
- Marrickville
- Leichhardt
- South Sydney
- Randwick
- Botany Bay
- City of Sydney
- Waverley
- Woollahra
The service aims to identify the knowledge, skills and talent of the participants in order to address their settlement needs and connect them with learning opportunities, employment, community and support groups.
Our case workers have access to free interpreting services, therefore case work is available in all the major languages. Available in our Daceyville and North Sydney Offices.
SETS Client Services
Casework
Our multi-lingual case workers work with you towards empowering you to live independently in Australia. We provide settlement related information, advice, advocacy or referral services like Centrelink, utility companies, housing support, etc.
Education and Training
We have a key role to help you acquire skills in the English language, plan an education pathway and build employment readiness with services complementing other settlement and mainstream services. Information Sessions and workshops in different languages are available throughout the year, covering a range of topics to help you navigate life in Australia. View our past online webinars here. Moreover, friendly sessions are provided free of our charge by native speaking teachers. Available in Daceyville and North Sydney, more details here: Free English Conversation Sessions.
Employment Support
Free employment support by a HR professional, who will guide and mentor you through your job search, resume writing and interview practice. Available in North Sydney and via email and phone, more details here: Free Employment Support.
SETS Community Capacity Building
Support Groups
Our support groups help you establish social connections and interact with others. We have sessions focused on young people, women and specific ethnic groups.
Capacity Building
At SMCS we support groups, new and emerging organisations to collectively increase the social participation, economic and personal well-being of community members.
Community Development
Projects that aim to support and empower community groups. This can involve working in partnership with community members and other service providers to facilitate information sessions, workshops, training & up skilling programs and community linkages.
Who can access SETS?
- 18 – 30 year olds
- those who have lived in Australia for five years or less
- humanitarian entrants
- family stream migrants with low levels of English
- dependants of skilled migrants in rural and regional areas with low levels of English
- selected temporary residents (Prospective Marriage and Provisional Partner visa holders and their dependants) in rural and regional areas with low English, and
- newly arrived communities which require assistance to develop their capacity to organise, plan and advocate for services to meet their own needs and which are still receiving significant numbers of new arrivals
SETS program benefits
- low to medium intensity case work
- group workshops
- information and referral
- practical support
SMCS offers free and confidential support. Please call us on 02 9663 3922 or email us at settlement1@sydneymcs.org.au or settlement2@sydneymcs.org.au to find out more
Below are the flyers and information for the current SETS Programs such as :
Daceyville
English classes for different levels
Our classes and times are as follows:
Beginners Class – Tuesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
Intermediate Class (online) – Thursdays, 2 pm – 4 pm
Conversational Class – Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
FREE Citizenship Test Preparation Class
Sydney MCS has you covered and will help you prepare for the Australian Citizenship test.
When: Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Where: 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville
School Work Assistance
Join us on Thursdays 3:30 – 5 pm for our FREE after school work assistance. Our facilitator will help guide your children with their homework or assessments in a friendly environment.
The Butterfly Project – Art for Wellbeing
This is a 5 weeks Creative Art Workshop for Emotional Wellness and Personal Development in Spanish. Are you bored of staying at home? Want to relieve stress? Do you want to make friends? Join our group to:
Build your self-esteem
′′ You don’t have to know how to paint or draw ′′
Explore and discover your creativity
You can express yourself freely in a safe environment.
Sessions Guided by Therapist in Art Maria Rosa Casanova. Sessions begin 22 April 2022, on Fridays, 10 am – 2 pm
Diabetes and Health Food Choices
Diabetes NSW will present health info sessions to explain and raise awareness on healthy food choices, healthy meal ideas, understanding types of diabetes, and managing worry about Covid-19 and diabetes.
Arabic Q & A, dates and times to be announced shortly
Chinese Q & A, dates and times to be announced shortly
Work Skills Essentials
Sydney MCS in partnership with Sydney Community College are hosting a four week workplace foundations course on topics which include preparing for work, career planning, job search, and workplace dialogue.
Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm. Registrations open on 19 May 2022.
Fire Safety
Fire and Rescue NSW will present a community session to raise awareness on fire safety and prevention in the home.
Wednesday 1 June 2022, 10:30 am
Thread Together
Thread Together can provide you with a wardrobe of brand new clothes donated by fashion brands. Come and dress up with us an enjoy some retail therapy. Contact us to arrange an appointment.
North Sydney
The Bridge of Healing – Refugee Week Lunch
The Bridge to Healing is a lunch-time celebration acknowledging Refugee Week and the resilience of refugees. Rosemary Kariuki, Kenyan-born migrant and refugee advocate and Local Hero at the 2021 Australian of the Year awards will speak about her incredible journey along with various performances and presentations during the event.
Wednesday 29 June, 12 pm
1 Art Gallery Way, Mosman 2088
Generalist Multicultural Case Work
Case workers at Sydney MCS will be providing much needed support to migrants who aren’t eligible to access certain services and to assist all in our community including youth, seniors and families to improve well-being and their quality of life.
The service provisions will include but not limited to:
- Providing information and referral services
- Advocacy for Housing NSW applications
- Resolving Centrelink issues, documentary supports such as filling forms (where permitted)
- Assisting in resolving issues arising from clients being over charged with energy bills
- Accompany vulnerable clients including single mother and victims of domestic violence
- Attend local courts, liaise with Legal Aid NSW organise Interpreting Services
OTHER PROGRAMS
Sydney Multicultural Community Services offers a number of other services, explore them below.
Volunteer With Us
Sydney MCS recruits, trains and supports volunteers to visit with an eligible resident either in an aged care facility or at home. The volunteer Community Visitor is matched with a Community Resident according to language and cultural backgrounds and possibly other interests.
About the program
The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) program is funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The program serves culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) residents, who may be isolated by limited family support, language, and cultural barriers.
Sydney MCS recruits, trains and supports volunteers to visit with an eligible resident either in an aged care facility or at home. The volunteer Community Visitor is matched with a Community Resident according to language and cultural backgrounds and possibly other interests.
Visits take place at least once a fortnight for an hour or two. Activities may include conversation, games, watching TV, listening to music, reading, reminiscing or other activities depending on the capacity of the resident.
1. Meeting your match
We will accompany you on your first visit to meet the Resident for the first time. You may then decide whether you would like to continue to visit with this resident at least once a fortnight.
When you are ready to commence visits, you will need to sign an Acceptance of Duties which outlines your role and a Deed of Confidentiality.
2. Training, support and resources
Training will be provided on issues related to ageing, cultural and linguistic diversity as well as staying safe and healthy, ideas for visits, providing feedback, and other helpful resources. The CVS coordinator is available to help with any concerns and will contact you regularly to ensure you are happy with your current arrangement.
As a volunteer, you are eligible for a range of community service courses offered by Learning and Development Training Organisations.
Volunteering opportunities
Stories from our Volunteers
New Volunteering Opportunities for our Community Visitor Scheme-Join Us!
Apply Now!
Send us a message to apply to become a volunteer.
