Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services Referrals

Making a Referral

The policy of the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services is to be as least intrusive as possible and therefore we will only make a placement as a last resort.

General Foster Care

For any long term placement, referrals will only be accepted if they are made via the Hunter Foster Care Team as a part of the Department of Community Services, Hunter Region.

Voluntary Care

There are limited numbers of Community referrals available to the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services. Community referrals for placement are usually for Voluntary Care and are generally very short term.

To accept a child or young person for a Voluntary Care Placement they must:

• Be of Aboriginal descent.
• Live within the target area of the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services.

If you satisfy the above requirements, download and complete the attached

• Referral for Child Placement

Please either fax it to (02) 4961 3499 or email it to referrals@hacs.org.au

Family Support

The Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services has a Family Support Worker who is able to work with Families of Aboriginal children and young people.

To accept a family of an Aboriginal child or young person for support they must:

• Live within the target area of the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services.

If you satisfy the above requirements, download and complete the attached

• Referral for Family Support

Please either fax it to (02) 4961 3499 or email it to referrals@hacs.org.au

Juvenile Support Project

The Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services have a joint project running with the federal Attourney Generals Department to provide support for children and young people involved in, or at risk of being involved in, the Juvenile Justice System.

There are 2 components to this project.

• The first is to provide a support person for young offenders in local Police Stations. This is commonly known as CELL WATCH.
• The second is a Mentor Worker to work with children and young people who are involved in, or at risk of being involved, in criminal activity.

To accept a child or young person they must:

• Be of Aboriginal descent.
• Live within the target area of the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services.
• Not already being assisted by another Aboriginal placement service.

If the child or young person satisfies the above requirements, download and complete the attached

• Referral to Juvenile Support Project

Please either fax it to (02) 4961 3499 or email it to referrals@hacs.org.au