About Us

Sutherland Shire Family Services (SSFS) is an organisation dedicated to and focussed upon providing services that lead to safety and well-being for families in the Sutherland Shire and St.George areas. We bring together a range of services offered by dedicated professionals that help to create brighter futures for children and their families. We aim to support and strengthen the capacity of families within our community, particularly those who have been impacted by disadvantage, violence and trauma. Through providing these services, we contribute to the promotion and maintenance of safety and wellbeing among all family members. Our Head Office is located at Jannali in Sydney’s Southern Suburbs.

When you come to with Sutherland Shire Family Services, we aim to help you feel safe. We want to provide you with a welcoming, supportive and nurturing environment, where you can feel heard, protected and valued.

Our Mission

Partner with Families. Facilitate Change. Promote Hope.

Our Vision

To be a leading, sustainable not for profit organisation that provides innovative and proactive responses to those affected by domestic and family violence, trauma, hardship and disadvantage, through a trauma informed model.

Our Values

Support
Collaboration
Integrity
Respect
Transparency

Guiding Principles

The projects and programs of Sutherland Shire Family Services are committed to:

Improving communication and relationships between family members to create an environment that provides brighter futures for children
Enhancing families’ capacity to support the growth and development of all family members.
Responses which aim to reduce the impact of poverty and disadvantage on families
Practice approaches that recognise the impact of trauma, violence and abuse on child wellbeing.
Affirming and strengthening families’ social, cultural and racial identities
Recognising, respecting and promoting the distinctive rights that Indigenous Australians hold as the original peoples of this land.
Prioritising health and safety of all employees
Integrity and respect being central to all areas of service delivery.
Partnerships, co-operation and collaborative arrangements that are aimed at bringing about safety and wellbeing among all family members.
Accountability, transparency and accessibility.

Our History

Founded in 1987, and incorporated as an association in 1994, Sutherland Shire Family Services has become a leading provider of innovative and professional services for families and children living in the Sutherland Shire and St.George areas.

From humble beginnings working from a small back office in Miranda, Sutherland Shire Family Services has become a key support service for domestic violence victims and their children in both areas.

In 2012, SSFS extended their purpose built centre in Jannali, providing workers with much needed office space, more group work space, and counselling rooms.

Read about volunteering for us

Latest

Virtual Movement Challenge

Join our Virtual Movement Challenge these April School Holidays! By signing up for our Challenge, you choose your activity.. We're asking you to commit to at least 15-30 minutes of exercise or movement every day during the 2 week Challenge period, but HOW you do that is up to you!
EDYS take programs online to reach young people at home

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...
Supported Playgroup: Online Storytime

Join our Supported Playgroup Online Storytime each Monday during school terms from 11am. Email [email protected] to complete a Playgroup Enrolment form if you're joining for the first time. Once the form is received, you'll be sent the link to join.
Join our Virtual Movement Challenge to help SSFS help local families impacted by domestic violence

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.

National Domestic Violence issue in the news - but locally, what can we do?

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.
Djanaba director Jann celebrates 30 years service

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.
Accessibility
Closure of Djanaba Occasional Childcare Centre

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.
Virtual Movement Fundraiser

DO IT ALONE, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO.. Join our Virtual Movement Fundraiser this April School Holidays to help us raise money for support services for families in the Shire impacted by domestic violence. While we're all stuck inside, this is a great way to commit to some movement and exercise, while raising some money for a worthwhile local charity.
Join our Virtual Movement Challenge to help SSFS help local families impacted by domestic violence

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.
COVID-19 Virus Update - Services Unaffected at SSFS

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.
International Women's Day 2020 - #EachforEqual

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.
EDYS take programs online to reach young people at home

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...
Rachel Roberts - SSWDVCAS Acting Co-ordinator

Rachel Roberts is proud Bundjalung and Worimi woman, who is currently leading our Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, who provide support to women referred by Police who are going through Sutherland Court for an ADVO matter, work with women on safety plans, manage high risk cases, as well as general referral and advocacy work.