Family Focus

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Our Story

Sam Stitt has a background in Early Childhood Education and 13 years experience working in the child protection/ welfare system. She has a Certificate in Child Welfare Practice a Graduate Cert. in Developmental Trauma and is a trained Life Story Work Therapist. Her experience has been primarily working with children in out of home care but also extends to support for natural families through Family Intervention Programs. Family Focus is a small business providing support for families in the child protection system through 4 main areas. Family Intervention Working alongside the Department of Child Safety to meet the case plan goals related to child protection concerns. This may occur when the Child Protection Order has been applied for (reunification is the goal) or perhaps when children remain in the home under Intervention with Parental Agreement. Practical, realistic, strength's based support if offered to the client so that they are very much a part of the process of 'change', decision making and identifying what it is that they may need to work through to be able to be the 'best parent' they can be. In many cases this may include reflecting on their own childhood or early trauma. Family Focus is of the belief that Family Intervention needs to be practical, uncomplicated and transparent so that families engage in the process of change. Supported Family Visits Where there may still be some risk during family contact that means it needs observation/feedback or perhaps just someone to co-ordinate siblings living separately and provide some structure and guidance to the parent to ensure the family’s time is maximized. Family Focus works flexibly around families commitments and time frames so that bringing families together, even for a short period, is meaningful, engaging and fun! Carer Support & Education Whether foster or family carers need additional supports outside of their support agency or an independent person to assess what support the family may need. This may be the need after a concern has been raised in relation to children in their care. Sam has developed a set of two workshops on the topic of Reunification. The aim of these 3 hour workshops is to expose foster carers to the process of Reunification and gain a better understanding of how they can play a vital role in its success. (further info on the workshops is available) Workshops can be run either in groups or one on one. Life Story Work Working alongside Gov and Non Gov Departments and with families to work with children to retrace their history, perhaps their period of time in care (past homes/ placements) and collate a ‘story’ of their life. This work may be as simple as researching a child’s ‘birth story’ by talking to a parent to gain an insight into their early life and collecting photos and memories. It may also stem from a child wishing to know about why he is in care, his identity and understanding of who they are. Life Story work is a therapeutic process in its own right. It can allow the child, with out undue pressure to express feelings about the events of their childhood and stories about their family. Family Focus may be able to do the time consuming ‘ground work’ that case workers can’t afford to put aside in their busy schedules. Sam has been trained and mentored by UK practitioner Richard Rose from Child Trauma Intervention Services, and Megan Bayliss, local social worker and Life Story advocate. It is important to note that this process takes time (up to 18 months) and requires the child to have support around them. Other Services offered

Family Focus employs casual youth mentor’s who are available to work with single or small groups of children/siblings. Youth Mentors are positive role models for children and young people and it is their role to provide support, guidance and care through positive interactions and activities. A youth mentor’s role not limited to the following..Engage young people in physical, creative and active activities/play. Assist children to engage in school. Explore a child’s interests and strengths. Support children to have connection with culture and community. They are people the child can talk to about their worries. Promote positive relationships with siblings & their family unit.May transport children to activities/family/visits/school

Youth Mentors hold a current BLUE CARD and drivers licence as well as use their own vehicle for transporting children.

Please contact Sam to request a Schedule of Fees. Quotes are available upon request. Supporting families in the child protection system.......