The Family Service Unit provides family programs and services aimed at supporting and strengthening families and also to support our Aboriginal children and their carers in Out of Home Care.
The Stronger Families worker provides intensive supports to our families, who need to make changes to ensure their child remains safe in their own homes or to support their safe return to the family home.
This work entitles comprehensive family assessments of the child’s needs and the capacity of the parents to make the necessary changes required to keep child safe in the home. Referrals from DHHS Child Protection
The Family Services program assist individuals and families experiencing child safety concerns and family hardships. They also support family members by linking them into services, ensuring appointments are made and behavioural supports and referrals
Referrals from Child First or self referral call 03 5481 0611 or attend 34 Annesley St
The Family Violence programs works collaboratively with other services/programs and agencies to provide a safe and protective space for our women, children and men and Elders, who experience family violence. Internal and external referrals
The Koori Kids program provide support for children who are not attending school, to assist in addressing the issues that may be contributing to non attendance. To work with families and schools to re-engage the children with their school—primary and secondary
The Placement and Support worker provides cultural connectedness for Aboriginal children place in foster care placement and residential care. This service provides culturally responsive services to carers supporting them to care for Aboriginal children and young people aimed at the child maintaining cultural identity and cultural safety while in foster care.
The Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making (AFLDM) program is about empowerment of Aboriginal families in the decision making process for their children when there are substantiated concerns for their safety and well-being.
The aim of the programs is to keep our children connected to family and community by their families identifying options of care and placement for their children. Referrals are by DHHS Child Protection.
The Target Care Package worker, in collaboration with staff, DHHS and other agencies develops target care package proposals aimed at supporting the needs of our children in placements that are at risk of breaking down or to support either a kinship or foster care placement of a child or young person placed in residential care. Referrals are by DHHS Child Protection
The Senior Advisor Cultural Planning Officer work in conjunction with Elders, Family and care teams to strengthen cultural support plans for our children and young people in out of home care enabling them to maintain and strengthen their Aboriginal identity and encourage their connection to their Aboriginal culture and community. Referrals are by DHHS Child Protection
Kinship Care occurs when Child Protection is involved and the child is unable to live with their parents. This program works with the child who is placed in the care of a family member or extended family member of the their social and mental wellbeing network under the child placement principle. Referrals are by DHHS Child Protection
The Foster Care program aims provide cultural safe temporary, short or long tem home based care (foster care) to our children and young people who are unable to live with their parents.
Unless other wise stated eligible community members can access these services by contacting either in person at 34 Annesley St, Echuca or by phoning 03 5481 0611
Clients records are confidential documents. It is policy to maintain security of personal information at all times. This information is only available to authorized members of staff and/or other service providers, with the clients permission.
We like to hear feedback from our clients, as this is the best way for us to determine if we are meeting our objective of providing a high quality service. You are most welcome to either leave a written comment or approach the staff at Njernda.
Family Service Information Booklet
External Organisation Referral for Family Services
Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday 8.30 – 4.30pm
Friday 8.30 – 4.00pm
34 Annesley Street, Echuca Vic 3564
Phone: 03 5481 0611
Fax: 03 5482 1066