Abstract

Children's Family Centres - What's Working in Practice - Interventions through Integrated Family Support Services

Author(s)

Rosemary Hamill -Barnardos Australia

Intervention on behalf of children and young people who are at risk of, or who have been abused and neglected is an important dimension of Australian Child Welfare. Over the last thirty years, Barnardos Australia has developed a model of integrated service provision to ensure children's well being and each year has delivered these integrated services to thousands of families in need through our Children's Family Centres.

Each centre offers a range of early intervention family support programs where both crisis assistance and ongoing involvement may be required. The aim is to provide the best possible protection and assistance to vulnerable children and young people, under the auspice of one community agency, thereby maximising the amount of time spent with families or young people. Service integration provides a seamless approach to families struggling to care for their children. Our Centres are tailored to local community needs, mobilise local community resources and work in partnership with other local service providers.