Our programs

High Intensity Services provide a very high level of case management, therapeutic intervention, and practical support to assist families to improve family functioning where there are high level safety concerns.

High Intensity Services include Intensive Family Services (IFS) and the following specialist services:

• Taikurtirna Tirra-apinthi: Making Safer Families – a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, family focused approach to reduce the number of Aboriginal children entering out-of-home care
• Stronger Together – an intensive in-home support to help families stay together and prevent children from entering out-of-home care
• Resilient Families – an intensive service supporting families with at least one child up to 9 years of age to prevent children entering out-of-home care.
• Breathing Space – supporting young women up to age of 25, who have had a child removed from their care and are at risk of repeated removals.
• My Place – providing specialist support and health services to young people aged 12 to 25 under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive or post-Guardianship.

Intensive Family Services

Intensive Family Services provide children and their families with a very high level of case management, therapeutic intervention and practical support to improve family functioning where there are high level child safety concerns.

Intensive Family Services are delivered by Safer Family Services and seven community providers (two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and five non-government organisations).

Referrals into Intensive Family Services occur through the Child and Family Support System Pathways Service.

Child and Family Safety Networks

Child and Family Safety Networks (CFSNs) are regional networks that are made up of key agency partners. Agency partners work together to create a multi-agency response for the state's at-risk children and families, ensuring children’s rights and safety are a sector-wide responsibility.

There are 18 networks located across South Australia. Each network meets fortnightly to help ensure the necessary services are in place for identified families – where child safety concerns exist – who are needing additional support. Each network identifies and engages relevant local agencies to provide support to children and their families. This support aims to enhance the family’s health, wellbeing, support network and education and increase the children’s developmental outcomes, safety and protection so they can remain safely within the family, community, and culture.

Each network is made up of representatives from local organisations unique to each region, consisting of multi-agency and multi-disciplinary professionals. This includes but is not limited to a mix of government, non-government organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Family Support Services assist children and families with lower to medium level risk concerns (including those who may have had contact with the Department for Child Protection).

Strong Families, Strong Communities program

The Strong Families, Strong Communities program works with families with children of all ages, to help their children stay at home.

The Strong Families, Strong Communities program is provided by eleven non-government organisations, four Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations/Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and one Local Government.

The program aims to empower families by:

• building and sustaining healthy family functioning
• strengthening the capacity of families to reach their potential
• encouraging self-determination
• strengthening connection to community and culture.

Community Development Program

The Community Development Program is provided by Safer Family Services, connecting children and their families with their local community through family and parenting programs and events.

Families Growing Together

Families Growing Together is provided by Safer Family Services, offering family and parenting workshops to carers and families.

Parenting SA

Parenting SA is provided by Safer Family Services, providing resources to support families to raise their children from birth to 18 years.

Adults Supporting Kids (ASK)

Adults Supporting Kids (ASK) website provides information for anyone concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person, or family. ASK also provides the latest evidence-based practices and resources for practitioners supporting children and their families.