Family Support - Individual Support

The Family Support Worker assists families on an individual basis to address needs relating to the child with a disability as well broader family needs such as those of parents, siblings and grandparents. The Family Support Service aims to enhance the well being of everyone in the family unit by building on their strengths and working to overcome the challenges they face, whether they be day-to-day difficulties that arise or long-term barriers to achieving goals.
Support may include:

• referral to services such as early intervention and therapy practitioners, counselling, and support groups
• navigating the overwhelming amount of information about available treatments and therapies
• advocacy and helping families to access financial assistance and special funding
• assistance with issues such as domestic violence, child safety, housing and financial crises.

The Family Support Worker maintains regular contact with families in the service through phone calls, home visits, coffee catch-ups and attendance at meetings for involved services. When a family exits St Anthony’s services, the Family Support worker will continue to provide assistance for up to one year.