Wuchopperen Health Service Limited (Wuchopperen) have established a new team to deliver the Family Participation Program in partnership with Gungarde Community Centre Cooktown and Remote Area Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Child Care following an initiative from the Department of Child Safety, Women and Children. As a collective, the team will deliver the program in both Cairns and the Cape York region.
In the Cairns region, the team of eight will work with our families to support them every step of the way when dealing with complex issues involving Child Safety. The team guides families through the decision-making process and ensures they have the knowledge to empower themselves to make the right choice for parents, children and other caregivers on their healing journey.
Manager of Child Wellbeing Programs, Anthony Satrick says the program gives families the tools to make decisions for themselves in a culturally appropriate setting.
“Self-determination is an integral aspect of the Family Participation Program. When families are involved with Child Safety concerns, everyone involved wants the best outcome for the child, what better way to find that outcome than empowering the family. Our role isn’t to make decisions or work on behalf of The Department, but to help families find their voice.
The Family Participation Program also recognises the importance of having peer-to-peer support throughout their involvement with Child Safety. Having a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in positions to guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the process is what the community control model of healthcare, and social and emotional wellbeing, has been advocating for decades,” says Anthony.
The Family Participation Program also works holistically with other teams at Wuchopperen to ensure families are getting the best wrap around supports we can offer including parenting programs, playgroups and mental health support.
