Vision

Family Life has been working with vulnerable children, families and communities since 1970. At the core of our organisation is our vision to build capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

Capable Communities:

Adults, young people and children learn and participate within supportive communities.

Family Life works in partnership with communities to understand and address place-based needs. When communities work together, families are strengthened, communities are connected and inclusive and individuals have a positive sense of culture and belonging. Community members support each other and participate in work, education and volunteering. Children and young people grow up in safe and supportive neighbourhoods.

Strong families:

Families experience positive wellbeing and strong and respectful relationships.

Family Life recognises the importance of individuals’ wellbeing and relationships and its impact on families. When individuals are healthy and resilient they lead a full life and can overcome personal challenges. They form and sustain positive relationships with family, friends, peers and intimate partners. Individuals are safe and conflict and violence are reduced.

Thriving children:

Children and young people experience optimal development and are safe from harm.

Family Life recognises that for children to thrive, their physical, mental, emotional and social needs must be met. When parents are skilled and confident they form a warm and secure bond with their children and meet their developmental needs. Parents create a nurturing environment for their children to grow up in, that is free from violence. Children and young people achieve developmental milestones, feel good about themselves and have a strong sense of self-identity.

Our Purpose

Transforming lives for stronger communities.

For more detail about Family Life’s Strategic Plan for the next 3 years and beyond click here.

Our Values

Respect

We acknowledge and value the human and legal right of all individuals, evidenced by:

• Maintaining confidentiality and privacy
• Strengths perspective
• Open communication
• Support and information transparently provided

Inclusion

We maximise the opportunities for individuals and families to participate in local and broader communities, evidenced by:

• Applying a systems, context-sensitive approach
• Advocacy for services and social change
• Promoting diversity
• Seeking input and feedback to guide our efforts

Community

We understand Family Life exists as part of a network of relationships and interactions evidenced by:

• Involvement of community members
• Co-operative and collaborative working with others
• Consultation and partnerships
• Commitment to learning with others

Empowerment

We encourage and strengthen individuals, families and communities to:

• Know their rights and value their voice in consultations
• Facilitating knowledge and skill sharing
• Working with a strengths perspective
• Promoting self agency for growth and change

Family Life Statement of Commitment to Child and Youth Safety

Family Life is a youth and child safe organisation. We value, respect, and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people and commit to providing an inclusive, culturally safe and welcoming environment for all children and young people. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, culturally and/or linguistically diverse children and young people, gender and sexually diverse children and young people including LGBTIQ+, children and young people with a disability and those who are vulnerable and at risk.

Family Life supports children to meet their potential and thrive. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind. We actively seek to understand what makes children feel safe within our organisation and what children can do in the event they do not feel safe. We encourage and provide opportunities for children and young people to participate and take their suggestions and concerns seriously. We commit to supporting children and young people to make a complaint via an accessible and easy to understand complaints system.

We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously. Safety concerns will be treated very seriously. We have robust reporting processes and recognise signs of harm and abuse. Where appropriate and safe to do so concerns will be discussed with parents / carers to empower planned and joint action, consistent with our quality endorsed policies and procedures.

We conduct risk assessments that consider the risks to children and young people in both the physical and online environments.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse, phone 000.

Read Family Life’s Children and Young People Safety and Wellbeing Policy.