Winda-Mara’s Family Services Unit provides family support and advocacy to Aboriginal children and their families across our region. Working from a client focused and strength based approach, the team ensures the rights and privacy of clients and their families is maintained and the opportunity to connect with the organisation, culture and community through engagement.

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As part of the South West Child and Family Alliance, Winda-Mara provides a service that is culturally appropriate and culturally safe, including a self referral option where community are able to contact the service directly for support. 

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Integrated Family Services and Family Preservation and Reunification

Our IFS/FPR program is dedicated to developing and implementing tailored plans and goals for vulnerable families, aiming to prevent the need for child protection intervention or to reduce the necessity for such measures.

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By integrating cultural learning into our approach, we have enhanced the relationship between families and their case managers.

Valuable Mentoring has enabled family connections that were previously unknown to them, and enabled successfully reengaged in education; improved family connections; established meaningful engagement with mental health support.

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The IFS/FPR team aims to expand its offerings by developing more parenting programs and parental education opportunities. There is also a desire to create a support group for new or first-time mothers, providing guidance on routines, cooking, and parenting skills in a non-judgmental environment.

 

Kinship Care Support and Case Management

Through our Kinship program, we have observed a positive trend in children in out-of-home care establishing stronger connections with their culture and community.

We remain dedicated to ensuring that all placements are culturally safe and that the children's cultural needs are prioritised.

The Kinship team is seeking funding to continue their cultural program, which includes opportunities for kinship children to visit Country and engage in cultural learning through return-to-country initiatives.

Additionally, the team hopes for the continuation of the respite program funding to support community care and long-term carers effectively.

 

Kinship Carer Recruitment

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​Targeted Care Package support

 

Family Violence Support

The Family Violence team has been working intensively with children affected by family violence, gaining deeper insights into the impact of such experiences. This understanding has informed a comprehensive wraparound response for the affected families.

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Enhancing our FV program

• Strengthening our relationships with the Hamilton, Heywood, and Coleraine Police departments, enhancing ability to support Affected Family Members.

• Collaborative approach between WMAC, Gunditjmara and Orange Door ensures cultural awareness initiatives and support for Aboriginal clients’ needs are being met.

• Improved outcome and results through collaboration both internally and with external services, has led to more successful outcomes and improved results.