'Families, Stability and Strength'

Aims

Provide early intervention approaches with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families that are vulnerable or at risk of entering the child protection system.

This service is also for children and families subject to ongoing intervention by the Department of Child Safety.

Family Support Services addresses the Personal, Cultural and Spiritual wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their parent/family members within appropriate cultural models of support.

The aim of the support given is to strengthen and enhance the capacity and parenting skills of the parent or carer through intensive education, training, support and supervision.

Principal Focus

The principal focus is on the development of Practical Skills within the family home for parents to

• Care for their child
• Improve the safety of the family home environment
• Build stability and stronger attachment between the child and parent and other relationships considered safe and important to the child.

The Family Support Program also undertakes the coordination, referral and provision of information on specialised, secondary and other universal services.

Principal Outcome

To ensure that the children are safe from physical and emotional abuse through family support services offered.    

Expectations

That all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  family   support services will be accessible and relevant  to  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  children, their parents and family members.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family support  services will work collaboratively with Recognised Entity (RE) and other culturally appropriate services and support to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families overcome personal and social barriers to valued and healthy parenting.

Best Possibe Outcomes

Through support services given

• The family will not enter the Child Protection System
• The family will have the best possible chance of exiting the Child Protection System with improved  skills and ability
• Children will be returned from an out of home care placement  once there is sufficient evidence of enhanced  knowledge, caring and parenting skills and safety is achieved and demonstrated  by the caregiver.
• There will be either very little or no contact with child safety staff

Support services given should have a child to feel and experience

• Greater security
• Greater stability
• Reduction in safety concerns

Comments from Participants:

'When I did the Aboriginal cultural dance, I found it enjoyable and fun. I also learnt how to make and prepare a Kup-Mauri. Awesome, Fun, Deadly!'

'The interaction that I have with staff has been positive and encouraging. They are helpful and informative and always willing to engage with me as a client.'

Family Support Services is funded by the Department of Communities (Child Safety)

Family Support Services