Tangentyere Council run a Safe Families program which deals with many of the issues of concern around violence , was established well prior to the Intervention Program.

Background

The Safe Families Program is a unique model which developed following consultations and workshops with local Indigenous leaders, community groups and service providers. This process was based on a need to enhance outcomes for young Indigenous people, as well as supporting families to improve their capacity to provide care.

What does the Safe Families program do?

Safe Families provides services to all Indigenous people in Alice Springs. The majority of positions in the program are filled with Indigenous staff members, who reflect the diversity of Indigenous residents in the wider Alice Springs community.

The three components of service provision are:

1. Family Support and OutreachFamily Support provides culturally informed interventions for children and families identified as being at risk of family breakdown due to violence. The aim is to enhance skills of families to succeed in staying together as a family.
2. Children’s Safe HouseProvides a safe environment for young people escaping family violence. The Safe House provides short term accommodation and care for six young people aged between seven to fourteen years in collaboration with other agencies where necessary to identify appropriate carers from the child’s family and community through culturally informed case management.
3. Families Safe HousesThis provides a safe environment in Alice Springs for families escaping family violence. It caters for a minimum of 6 families per year who have been made homeless through family violence. The aim is to work with the families to assist them in staying together in safe, stable and independent accommodation.