Unfortunately, our Facebook page has been affected by this week's Facebook response to the Australian Government's proposed news media regulations. We are working to resolve the issue and have our page reinstated. Please bear with us. Read more
Myer Miranda's Local Giving Campaign during February is helping Shire families. By rounding up your purchase to the nearest dollar, you are directly helping SSFS - with local families benefiting from extra support from our family workers to help them through tough times. Read more
Getting your child back to school involves more than just getting supplies and uniforms sorted.. Here are some helpful tips from our family workers on things you can do it help your child settle successfully into the new school year. Read more
The EDYS team delivered the Pieces of Engadine Initiative in late 2020, with local youths engaged in creating the public street art in conjunction with local artist, funded by Sutherland Shire Council's Community Grants program. The new "Angel mural" is a social media favourite amongst local teens. Read more
We have been proud to have been a part of the organising committee for the 2020 Walk for Respectful Relationships, and many of our team headed outdoors on this gorgeous sunny day to walk in solidarity, and spread awareness of the devastating impacts of domestic and family violence in our community. Read more
We are proud to present our 2019-2020 Service Showcase and Annual Report, which highlights the many programs, groups and services that Sutherland Shire Family Services provide. Read more
An article in today's Leader shared the news that our Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service has received a funding boost to scale up support services between now and the end of December 2020, catering for the increase in complexity of referrals they are getting during the pandemic. Read more
In the recent announcements for additional COVID-19 related Domestic Violence Support Funding, Toolbox Talks received a grant from the NSW Government to make their DV Awareness & Support programs more readily available in the community. Read more
Our Group Schedule for Term 3 is now available, and we are welcoming enrolments for the parenting education programs and support groups on offer. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, numbers are limited in each group, so we encourage early enrolment to avoid disappointment. Read more
Our Term 2 Group Support Programs have been "reimagined" for online delivery, with our team working hard to make sure we can continue to support families, women and children over this challenging time. From Online Parenting Education, to Supported Playgroups, our team have adapted everything to continue to deliver quality programs to the community. Read more
EDYS is taking many of their current youth support programs online, reaching many Shire young people who are currently at home due to COVID-19 social restrictions. We're reaching out with a varied program including creative and art projects, mindfulness, and music tutorials., delivered via EDYS TV, Social Media & Zoom.. Check out what we're doing here... Read more
Sutherland Shire Family Services have today launched a Virtual Movement Challenge fundraiser, helping local families stay motivated to remain active and healthy while we self-isolate or social distance in these times of COVID-19. By participating in the Challenge, our Community can help us, as we raise funds to continue the work we do in supporting local families impacted by domestic violence. Read more
If you're feeling anxious about the Coronavirus, chances are your kids are too. Even young kids are overhearing conversations, so it's important to be open and honest with them, and help them see how they can help by maintaining good hand hygiene. Read more
What a week it's been! Today our "Building Resilience in Children" (BRIC) Team have been "practicing what they preach", showing incredible resilience themselves in quickly adapting their programs to online formats,. Today, they delivered their Healing Connections program via video conference, showing families that even when times are "extra" tough, support is still available. Read more
It is with deep sadness and disappointment that we advise that Djanaba Occasional Childcare Centre will close indefinitely, effective from Close of Business today, Thursday the 26th March 2020. Read more
Update as at 25 March 2020 - Please know that SSFS is still operating and supporting the community. The health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families is our priority, and therefore this support is now via phone, video conference and online groups. Face to Face support has been suspended until further notice. Read more
Due to increasing health concerns and out of care for our children, families and facilitators, we advise that all of our Supported Playgroups (at both Jannali and Menai sites) are now cancelled for the remainder of Term 1 until further notice. There will be no playgroups on Monday 23rd March 2020. Read more
SSFS was proud to be part of the Australian Defence Force's "Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Expo last weekend, where Defence Families enjoyed a day out at Luna Park, while also learning about all the local community facilities available to them. SSFS showcased our Defence Family Caseworker Program, and shared details of our Coffee & Connect Local Catchups, which aim to reduce isolation and provide an ongoing opportunity for local Defence families to meet others like them. Read more
Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Read more
With the World Health Organisation this week categorising COVID-19 as a Global Pandemic.. As at today's date (Friday 13th March), there are no interruptions to SSFS programs or services. We are reviewing the situation daily and following Government about service cancellation. We have taken heightened precautions around hygeine and cleanliness, and are encouraging all staff and clients to do the same. Read more
Respectfully Curious is a weekly support and social group for LGBTIQ+ young people and their allies to come together to talk, learn and be their authentic selves in a safe, inclusive and respectful space, without fear or judgement. Read more
International Women's Day is on this Sunday, 8th March, 2020.. This day is to help forge a gender equal world. Celebrating women's achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, is key. Read more
Today we celebrated, Jann Griffiths, our Djanaba Occasional Care Centre Director for her 30 years of service to SSFS, with a team morning tea. This was a wonderful opportunity to thank Jann for caring for and brightening the lives of more than a thousand children during this time. Read more
Here in the Sutherland Shire, we see hundreds of “Hannah’s” each year – women who are living an unimaginable nightmare, experiencing many forms of domestic violence, trying to leave their violent partners, who fear for their and their children’s lives. Women who come to us for help. Read more