Family Wellbeing Service

The Family Wellbeing Services team delivers programs that offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families the option to access culturally safe services that are designed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build happy, healthy and safe families.

Through family-led support initiatives, the program aims to increase the level of self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through a service model that encourages participation by children in the decision-making that shapes their future.

Referrals are received from Child Safety and other agencies. Self-referrals are welcome. Participants to the Family Wellbing Services and programs may meet any of the following criteria:

There is a child (unborn* or under 18 years) and:

• The family has multiple needs, some which may be complex
• The family requires occasional or episodic support to maintain a child’s safety and wellbeing
• The family would benefit from access to support services to improve child and family wellbeing
  AND
• Without support the child is at risk of entering or re-entering the statutory child protection system
• The child is not currently in need of protection but the family would benefit from support to prevent entry or re-entry into the child protection system
• The child is in need of protection, subject to ongoing intervention and support from the Family Wellbeing service is likely to result in the child no longer requiring departmental intervention
• The child or family would benefit from services to improve their cultural identification or connection to culture.

*Concerns about an unborn child cannot be referred without consent from the mother