After 15 years of dedicated work, Victorian Financial Counsellor Colin Handreck this month finished up working at Child and Family Services (Cafs) in Ballarat. During this time, Colin has experienced a lot, and we were lucky enough to get some thoughts and reflections on his time in financial counselling, as well as his legacy as team leader of the Gambler’s Help and Financial Counselling team at Cafs. Thank you, Colin!
Financial counselling – making a real difference!
The start of a new career…. Why financial counselling?
My entry into the sector was funded by the Commonwealth Government in 2009 as a response to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Before becoming a financial counsellor, my career background had covered banking, insurance and small business and each of these has provided valuable experience for the financial counselling sector.
The headline that caught my attention and which resonated strongly at the time was ‘Make a real difference!’
At the time I had no understanding of the financial counselling role and the advertisement advised that successful applicants would be supported to complete the required Diploma in addition to ‘on the job’ training. The advertisement also explained that applicants were being considered from the type of background that I had experienced to provide fast-tracked financial counselling support for households and small business operators who had been impacted by the GFC.
Many of our referrals through this time advised that it was the first time they had needed to reach out for help to a community sector organisation. During those first few years after the GFC, a common theme amongst new referrals was “I never thought this would happen to me”.
A team of professionals… making a real difference!
Shortly after joining the sector, I had the opportunity to apply for the team leader role and it has been a privilege to act in this capacity since then. I work alongside the finest committed and professional individuals whose goal is to make a difference each day, which mirrors the reason I joined the sector.
Our team has delivered a CAV-funded Financial Counselling Program alongside a multi-stream Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF) funded Gambler’s Help program. Our people work collaboratively as an integrated team to effectively deliver the Gambler’s Help and Financial Counselling Program.
My proudest moments are experienced when hearing how one of our team has supported a significant and life-changing outcome for a client – which is a regular occurrence. Systemic advocacy also rates very highly, and I am delighted when we have been able to achieve a better policy/procedure/approach that contributes to better future outcomes.
Changing times… improved practices making a real difference
Debt waivers were less common when I joined the sector and bankruptcies were more prevalent to resolve debt. Creditors that have adopted a leading-practice approach now recognise the strong business case in favour of waiving uncollectable debts and as responsible corporate citizens are increasingly likely to recognise their obligation to implement procedures that more effectively support customers experiencing hardship. Still a long way to go in this space, though!
I have benefited greatly from FCVic initiatives and certainly through my participation in CPD events and conferences over the years! My involvement on the FCVic Board (many years ago now!) and involvement with Board sub-committees since then have been a great contributor to my personal growth in the sector. Being presented with the Virginia Noonan Award 2018 was a definite highlight! I am most pleased with the embracing of professional standards within the sector and how financial counsellors are increasingly accepted as trusted professionals by creditors and other stakeholders.
When less is more… to make a real difference
Some wise words that were shared early in my experience and which have informed my approach since is to ‘try not to do what a client can do for themselves’. Sometimes our strong desire to help can get in the way! Often our clients can do so much more than we initially anticipate if we just ask them and give them the opportunity. Involving our client in this way conforms to the strengths-based approach and empowerment model that the program is based upon.
Royal Commissions and social change have each influenced the landscape; however, hardship is very much entrenched in our community. Financial counsellors do make a real difference and as a free service, is exactly what people experiencing financial hardship require. The financial counselling program has proven to be a very cost-effective way to reach people experiencing financial hardship in their time of need and to swiftly make a real difference.
In conclusion…
Financial counsellors have so much to be proud of and continue to achieve so much – both systemically and through supporting individual client outcomes. I am pleased to have been part of the financial counselling sector! I am pleased to have had the opportunity to be part of such an effective team of ‘the finest’ who make a real difference each day!
I am now leaving the sector with plans to be repurposed. Future options include travel plans, additional time for family, volunteering roles and exploring some casual employment to maintain a balanced life. We’ll see how it all works out!