Stronger Families

The Stronger Families program, funded by the Department of Human Service and the Department for Child Protection helps families where there are concerns for the safety and wellbeing of children.

 

What the program offers

The goal of AFSS Stronger Families is to keep Aboriginal children safely at home with their families, within their community and culture, by enhancing family strengths; strengthening child development and attachment; and strengthening families to better cope with the day to day challenges they are facing.

 

The Stronger Families program is divided into three programs:  Reunification, Intensive Family Service (IFS), and Together With Family (TWF).

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Reunification:

Families become involved with the Reunification program after the Department for Child Protection has removed children from their parent/family’s care due to concerns for their safety or wellbeing.  DCP refers parents to the Reunification Service to address the issues that led to the removal and develop new skills and knowledge so that children can return to the family.

 

The Reunification Service works intensively with families to understand and address the Child Protection Concerns.  AFSS understands that for many Aboriginal Families, contact with the child protection system is deeply worrying and often triggers long held trans-generational trauma.  The AFSS team works in culturally responsive, family led, child centred and therapeutic ways to support parents to work though the issues that may have impacted their wellbeing, and the wellbeing and safety of their children. The aim of the program is to support parents to have their children returned safely to their care.

 

Only DCP can refer families to this program.

 

Service areas

AFSS currently offers Reunification Services in the Adelaide Metropolitan area. Regionally AFSS provides this service in Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln.

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Intensive Family Service:

Families become involved with the AFSS Intensive Family Service when they are referred by services such as DCP, health, education and housing.  These referrals are made via the Child and Families Support System Pathway’s Service, managed by DHS.   Families that are at significant risk of entering the Child Protection System may be referred to the IFS to provide the family with support to address the concerns in order to prevent the need for ongoing DCP involvement.

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The Stronger Families program aims for a strong cultural connection to family, community and culture. Our first priority is always the safety and wellbeing of children. Wherever possible this care should be within families as culture and connection are vital to creating ongoing safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal children.

 

Whilst AFSS keeps in regular contact with the Department for Child Protection our day-to-day work is separate.   Many families find that AFSS offers them a culturally safe environment, a relationship of trust and a team of caring and skilled workers who know how to create change. Our goal is for families to end their involvement with AFSS feeling happier, stronger and connected in their community, and with their children safely in their care.

 

IFS works intensively with families to develop their own Goals that will allow them to address the challenges they are facing.  This program is culturally responsive, trauma informed and child centred.

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Together With Family

Together With Family seeks to engage families early, to walk alongside families to prevent the need for child protection to become involved. Together With Family understands that challenges can come into any family, and we will support families to find solutions and make links to networks to help keep families strong and together.

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This program will accept self–referrals and referrals from a broad range of services to support families experiencing complex challenges that might result in Child Protection Concerns.

The program is funded through the Department of Human Services.

 

The Together with Family Service (TWF) provides culturally safe and sensitive case management support to families to assist them to address issues that are placing their family at risk. TWF will walk alongside families to create plans, build skills and resilience and connect with community and services to build a strong network of supports.  

TWF understands the importance of family lead decision making and will work with families in a culturally responsive way to create safety and wellbeing for the whole family.

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These issues may include:

• domestic or family violence

• parental alcohol misuse

• child and/or parental mental health issues

• parental and/or child learning difficulties or intellectual disability

• lack of family or social support

• parenting skills

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Our team works with an understanding of the impact of transgenerational trauma and the history of policy that resulted in the Stolen Generations. We understand that for many families contact with the Child Protection System is frightening.

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A referral to Stronger Families TWF does not take the place of a possible notification to the Child Abuse Report Line. If you feel you have suspicion on reasonable grounds then a notification must still be made. However, you may also consider a referral to TWF. 

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The TWF service can work alongside your service/organisation to wrap support around a family, supporting them to address challenges and prevent the need for ongoing involvement in the child protection system.

Referrals can be made by contacting your local Stronger Families team or emailing:
sfsc.referrals@afss.com.au
 

 

Service areas

The program provides services across a number of Local Government areas.  These are Marion, Onkaparinga, Playford and Salisbury in the metro area.  Regionally AFSS has IFS available in Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla, Copper Coast, Coober Pedy, Murray Bridge, Berri, Barmera, Loxton and Renmark.

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Want to find out more?

Email afss@afss.com.au or phone (08) 8205 1500 and ask for the Senior Manager, Therapeutic Services.