Child Wellbeing

Wuchopperen’s Child Wellbeing service is based at the Manoora facility and works with the Department of Child Safety, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs in matters involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children.

Child Wellbeing services are available in Cairns, Innisfail and the Atherton Tablelands in collaboration with the Child Safety Service Centres in each area.

Culturally Appropriate Foster And Kinship Care Service (CAFAKCS) 

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CAFAKCS recruits and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers to provide placements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children requiring out of home care in accordance with the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.

CAFAKCS carers:

  • Work with the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs and the Child Safety Placement Services Unit to identify compatible placements required by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; and
  • Provides support to our registered carers and assist with effective communication between them and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

Family Participation Program

Using Family Led Decision Making Frameworks and practice, convenors work with families who are involved in the Child Protection System in order to address worries that have been raised by Child Safety to ensure the safety of the children in the family's care.

  • The convenors work with the family to establish who the key support people are in the family and networks. This also includes key support services such as Family Wellbeing. 
  • A meeting is arranged by the convenor who works with the family and Child Safety to establish a plan for the family to address the worries. 
  • The plan is signed off by all parties. Ongoing support for the family to meet their goals is offered through Child Safety’s support services. 

Next Step Plus

Next Step Plus is a voluntary, free service available for young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who are leaving or have left care and require support to move to an independent life.

Next Steps Plus provides quick access to practical advice and support that includes:

  • accessing accommodation support services 
  • reconnecting with family, friends and community and building relationships 
  • entering education and training, developing a resume and looking for a job jobs 
  • accessing health and social and emotional well-being and counselling appointments; and
  • providing support to organise important documents like identification, birth certificate, driver’s license etc. 

Youth Participation Program 

Youth Participation Program is funded by Youth Justice to provide Family Led Decision Making processes and meetings for young people involved in the Youth Justice System in order to address worries in relation to offending and to establish goals to address these worries.   

Connecting Youth

Connection Youth is another program funded by Youth Justice to provide support for young people involved in Youth Justice to connect their culture. 

This is done through activities, engaging with extended family networks, camps and connecting to members of their community and family.