Our Vision
Every child and young person experiences safety, connection and belonging that strengthens their sense of self, community and future.
Our Story
Built around the young person, not the paperwork
Connect CWS was created out of a simple belief: every young person, no matter how many rough chapters they've had, deserves a stable place to land, and people who genuinely show up for them, shift after shift, day after day.
Where it all started
About us
Our organisation was born out of a deep frustration with the status quo. After nearly two decades in the residential care and homelessness sector, our founder grew tired of the industry's “churn and burn” model, a system that too often treated staff as commodities rather than vital investments in a young person's future. We knew there had to be a better way to support both Youth Workers and the children relying on them.
We initially began in the labour hire space, supporting the Department of Child Safety with transport shifts, supervised contacts, and in-home support. About a year into this work, two profound and organisational changing events happened. The founder met, was inspired by and shortly afterwards partnered with two incredible practitioners whose commitment and dedication to the care of our young people continues to drive everything we do today. Simultaneously, two young people we were supporting in emergency hotel accommodation asked a life-changing question: could they come and live with us full-time? This is where our organisation truly found its purpose.
From that single house and a profound commitment to doing whatever it takes, we have grown to providing permanent, trauma-informed care to young people in the Ipswich area.
“Stable home. Consistent people. That's the whole model.”
The philosophy behind Connect CWS
Safe, stable homes
Consistent workers
Vision & Mission
What we're working toward
Our Mission
Through safe, supportive environments, meaningful relationships, and trauma-informed care, we empower children, young people and employees to thrive.
Our Values
What we stand for
These aren't values written for a website. They're the beliefs that shape every decision we make about how we care for young people.
Everything we do, from the daily interactions in our residential homes to the professional development of our team, is guided by a core set of values.
Community & Person Centric
We have the person and community at the forefront of every decision and action.
Opportunity
We seek and explore opportunities for the betterment of ourselves and others.
Mentorship
We provide guidance, direction and support, share knowledge and connections, and foster skill development, to empower others to achieve their potential.
Empathy & Compassion
We apply a curious mindset to understanding the needs, viewpoints and lives of others, and apply that to help alleviate issues, distress, and achieve calm and stable outcomes.
Belonging
We welcome diverse perspectives, and foster environments where everyone feels comfortable and empowered to be their authentic selves and feel accepted, valued and comfortable.
Accountability
We take accountability for our behaviour and results, and deliver on expectations in the right way at the right time.
Character & Courage
Integrity, respect and courage are the cornerstones of how we show up every day for ourselves and each other.
Kinship & Culture
We hold kinship and culture in the highest regard, supporting cultural safety and the social bonds and relationships formed and sustained through shared cultural practices, beliefs and heritage.
Governance & Accountability
How we're structured, and who holds us accountable
Connect CWS operates under clear governance and full financial accountability, so the people we support, the Department and regulators can see exactly how decisions get made.
Board of Directors
Sets strategic direction and holds the organisation accountable to its purpose and values.
Leadership Team
Oversees day-to-day operations, quality of care, and compliance with all regulatory standards.
Team Leaders
Manage each home and roster, and are the first point of contact for families and caseworkers.
Youth Work Teams
The consistent, rostered team of workers who show up for young people, shift after shift.
Governing Body & Leadership
Kris Lloyd-Jones
Director
Kiah Christensen
Director
Damion Lipman
Chief Executive Officer
Read full bioHide bio
Damion Lipman is an experienced human services executive with more than 30 years of leadership across child protection, out-of-home care, disability services and government. As CEO of Connect Community Workforce Specialists, he is committed to strengthening organisational capability, supporting workforce excellence and ensuring children and young people receive safe, high-quality care. Damion is recognised for his collaborative leadership style and his passion for building services that create meaningful and lasting outcomes for the people and communities they support.
We're a residential care provider funded by the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, supporting children and young people across the Ipswich community.
Child Safe & Inclusive
Our commitment to every young person's safety
We're guided by the Universal Principle and the Child Safe Standards, which is how Queensland puts the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations into practice. The Universal Principle is about creating environments that make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children feel culturally safe, which broadly means welcome, safe, valued, included and respected. It shapes everything we do, from how we recruit and train our people, to how we listen when something isn't right.
1
Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in leadership, governance and culture
2
Children and young people are informed, participate in decisions, and are taken seriously
3
Families and communities are informed and involved
4
Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account
5
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported
6
Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused
7
Staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to keep young people safe
8
Physical and online environments promote safety and minimise harm
9
Implementation of the standards is continuously reviewed and improved
10
Policies and procedures document how we are a child safe organisation
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
A place for everyone
Connect CWS welcomes and supports young people, families and staff of every gender, culture, ability and background. We're committed to an inclusive, non-discriminatory environment for everyone in our care.
What Makes Us Different
Not just another provider
No
rotating strangers
Young people build relationships with a consistent team of workers, not a new face every week. That continuity is what makes trust possible.
100%
trauma-informed
Everything we do, from how we set up a room to how we handle a hard moment, is grounded in a deep understanding of trauma and what healing looks like.
Funded
by the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
Funded by and accountable to the Department, so the Department and the community can have confidence in the care we provide.
In Their Words
Voices from our community
Nothing tells our story better than the people who've lived it.
I lived with Connect CWS for four years. I am now 18 years old. I was their first young person and stayed with them until I was an adult. I felt like Connect made an effort to get a consistent team of Carers to work with us, who knew us and could work well with us. Over time, I was able to build some strong relationships. After leaving care, Connect CWS continued to support me physically, mentally and emotionally. They helped me with life skills like cleaning dishes, cooking, laundry and budgeting before I left Care. I lived with 32 Foster Carers and 7 Resi's before I came to Connect and I stayed with them the longest out of any of the Carers I was with. I've noticed my behaviour has changed over the years being with Connect. I now pay my own rent and have a dog and live independently. I can say I am proud of how far I have come with the help of their support.
Denajiah
Former young person in our care
I have been with the company since its beginnings, having first joined while completing my placement. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to see the organisation grow and develop while maintaining a strong focus on the people at the heart of its work — both the young people we support and the staff who care for them. What has stood out to me throughout my time is its genuine understanding that providing quality care starts with supporting the people who provide that care. For me personally, one of the things that has kept me with the company is the flexibility it provides — the ability to balance work with my personal life and maintain a healthy focus on self-care.
Gordan
Youth Worker, with us from the beginning
Want to know more?
Whether you'd like to find out more about our work or join our team, we'd love to hear from you.