Our History
Quantum Support Services has an approximate 30 year history of providing support services to those most vulnerable in the Gippsland community.

QSS formed as an Incorporated Association in 2001 from the merger of two local services, Quantum Community Care (QCC) and Central Gippsland Accommodation Support services (CGASS). QCC brought to the merger a strong background in the delivery of youth services dating from 1987 and the establishment of the Central Gippsland Youth Hostel in response to the identified need for a specialised residential service for adolescents. The range of services provided by QCC included the then Adolescent Community Placement program, which expanded to become QSS’ Home Based Care service, as well as funding to support statutory clients that formed the basis for the development of a specialised Adolescent and Family Support position.

In the case of CGASS the organisation’s focus was initially in the area of youth homelessness, where services included the Mia Mia Youth Refuge (established in 1982) and youth outreach services based in Traralgon, Moe and Morwell although further expansion throughout the 1990’s led to the development of a cross target homelessness focus and the delivery of local family violence services.

As a result of the merger Quantum Support Services became the major provider of homelessness and housing support services within Gippsland, and one of the largest locally managed community based social services in Victoria. QSS has therefore established itself as a provider of an integrated range of quality housing, residential, social support and advocacy services, which are responsive to the needs of families and individuals experiencing disadvantage or crisis within Gippsland

Since the merger in 2001 QSS has continued to expand its range of services, consistent with its core business, and has been involved in the provision of the following additional programs:

2002
Leaving Care, initially as a Victorian Homelessness Strategy pilot and then through a successful submission, to provide 1 effective full time (EFT) position to support clients leaving statutory care.
2004
Finding Solutions, a 1 EFT position providing a diversionary program for young people at risk of child protection involvement.
2005
Adolescent Parent Support Worker as a specialist 1 EFT position within the Latrobe & Baw Baw Child FIRST & Integrated Family Services Alliance.
Leaving Care mentoring.
Consumer and Advocacy Service funded by the Department of Justice, Consumer Affairs for a .5 EFT position.
2006
Housing Support for Indigenous Tenancies Initiative (HSITI) a 1.2 EFT regional service supporting indigenous tenants or prospective tenants of the Office of Housing or the Aboriginal Housing Board Victoria.
Gippsland Early Intervention Service, a .5 EFT family violence early intervention service.
2007
Mental Health – Housing Pathways program as a lead agency for managing a I EFT regional position providing services to clients within in-patient mental health facilities.
Creating Connections and delivering a 1 EFT specialised service for homeless young people within the Baw Baw and Latrobe LGA’s
2008
Youth Justice Community Support Service with QSS as the lead agency in providing this as a region-wide service in partnership with other homelessness service providers.

QSS currently operates with a budget of approximately $6 million and now employs approximately 86 full-time and part-time staff. The most significant area of QSS’ funding comes from the Office of Housing.

Reflecting QSS’ historical development from organisations based in Central Gippsland, QSS’ predominant catchment area for the provision of services is the Latrobe and Baw Baw LGA’s. As a result QSS has its main office located in Morwell and a further office located in Warragul. Staff in programs delivering Gippsland-wide services are co-located with Gippsland Women’s Health Service in Sale (for 2 staff) and in Bairnsdale office arrangements are based on 4 staff being co-located with other agencies until QSS re-develops a site purchased specifically for accommodating its Bairnsdale staff.