Empowering Families, Strengthening Futures
Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter
why we created this website
Who are we?
We are parents who have navigated the child protection system, and who have walked alongside other parents doing the same.
This website was created to support you on your journey.
Every family is different. Every experience is different.
But children should never be denied their right to family because parents are excluded, left in the dark, or made to navigate a complex system and language on their own.
Know your rights
Information and resources put together by parents who have walked this path to help you at each stage in the NSW child protection system for families so they can be more informed, prepared, and supported.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Families
Access Culturally safe information
For culturally safe, Aboriginal-led information and advocacy, we invite families to :
- Know Your Rights https://kyr.org.au/
This site is for any Aboriginal parent or family who is worried about child protection involvement, as well as workers, advocates, ACCOs, and supporters walking alongside families.
Know Your Rights provides Aboriginal families with information to help in advocating and fighting for our children and young people when involved with the child protection system.
The KYR is a comprehensive resource containing detailed guides, information sheets, videos, resources.
Connect with AbSec, the NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation. https://absec.org.au/
We (Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter) respectfully acknowledge that we are not the experts in the intergenerational harm caused — and still being caused — by statutory child protection systems.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families continue to be grossly overrepresented in out-of-home care as a direct result of colonisation, forced removal, and ongoing systemic harm. These impacts are profound, layered, and ongoing.
We recognise that any discussion about reporting, intervention, or child protection sits within this history and cannot be separated from it.
We stand in full support of Aboriginal-led solutions, self-determination, and the work being done by Aboriginal organisations to protect children by strengthening families and communities.
My Family Is In Crisis- Who Can Help Me?
Help services directory
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NSW Support Services & Helpline Directory
- NSW-Support-Services.pdf
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NSW Drug and Alcohol Support
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Find NSW Advocacy-support-services-protect-your-rights
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Hunter/Central Coast Directory- Coming Soon
DCJ Wants To Talk To Me About My Child- What Do I Do?
useful information
We know (because we have been there) how daunting and scary it can feel when Child Protective Services (in NSW- DCJ) wants to talk to you about your child.
DCJ Is talking to me about my child
LAPFA_Legal supports for families_Final Version25
trusted resources by other organisations
What Happens If My Child Is Removed?
useful information
If your child is removed by DCJ, it can feel like your world has stopped. It can feel impossible to suddenly have to navigate meetings, court processes, and new expectations while you’re in crisis.
What happens when your children are removed
Strategic Compliance – Keeping yourself. safe from the system
SOPP – Summary of Proposed plan
Trusted resources from other organisation
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how can I Stay Connected with my child?
useful information
Family time can bring up a lot of feelings. It can be beautiful, painful, exhausting, and meaningful all at once. There is no “right” way to feel or act, you are showing up in the middle of something extremely difficult.
This information is here to help you understand what family time is, what to expect, and what DCJ is looking for. It explains how family time is often used in decision-making, and how understanding this can support your goal of having your children come home.
We are not endorsing recording or surveillance by DCJ. We are sharing this information for transparency, so you can make informed choices and better understand the system you are navigating.
Looking after yourself at family time
Looking after yourself when your children are in OOHC
Family Time Records example (what DCJ use to monitor you at family time)
What Do I Need To Do To Get My Child Home?
useful information
There is no single checklist that guarantees your child will come home. Decisions are made by DCJ and, in many cases, the Court — not by how hard you try or how much you love your child.
What you can do is understand what concerns have been raised, what DCJ says needs to change, and how progress is usually assessed. Knowing this helps you respond strategically, ask clearer questions, and show evidence of change over time.
This information is here to help you understand the process, the language being used, and the expectations often placed on parents — so you are not left guessing or blamed for not knowing the rules of a system you never chose to enter.
Section 90 (If final orders have been made)
Your Rights as a parent when your Child is in OOHC
How do I keep my own evidence?
Strategic Compliance – Keeping yourself. safe from the system
Trusted resources from other organisations
I need information on programs- Where do I start?
useful information
When child protection is involved, parents are often told to attend programs, courses, or workshops. These are usually described as “support,” but parents also report that they are used as evidence in decision-making.
This doesn’t mean programs are always harmful — some can be genuinely helpful. It does mean you have the right to choose programs that: actually support you, don’t overwhelm or retraumatise you, fit your life, culture, and current capacity
You are not failing if a program doesn’t work for you.
A program that doesn’t fit can cause harm, especially when you are already under pressure.
This information is here to help you think through your options and make choices that support both your wellbeing and your goals.
Finding and using Programs that work for you
NSW Drug and Alcohol Inpatient Support
For this reason, Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter strongly recommends getting independent legal advice to support your situation.
This website does not provide legal advice — it shares what families have learned and what the system should be doing at each step.
Upcoming Events- Watch This Space
In Person Catch Ups- Newcastle Only
These sessions are a chance to get clear information, ask questions, and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
The sessions are informal and supportive. You don’t need to share your story if you don’t want to — you can just listen, learn, and take what’s useful for you.
We focus on helping parents understand the system, the language being used, and the options available, while recognising how overwhelming and isolating this experience can be.
📍 Charlestown
🗓 Second Wednesday of each month
Online Peer-Led Parent Groups
Our peer parent led online parent groups are a space where you can connect with parents who understand because they have been there.
Like our in-person information sessions we will have topics each month we explore based on parent feedback.
We will use let you know when these begin on our Facebook page.
If you have a topic your interested in hearing about you can email us at peerparentsnewcatle@gmail.com or message our Facebook page.
Peer-led Parent Workshops [Currently not running]
OUR PARENT WORKSHOPS (My Kids Are in Care What’s Next, Working Towards Restoration ) ARE CURRENTLY BEING REVISED AND UPDATED
Staring Feb 11 2026
When: Second Wednesday of each month
WHERE: Charlestown
Click below for details
Monthly PARENT INFORMATION Session 2026
Follow our Facebook Page
To see when we will be starting these
Acknowledgement of Country
Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter acknowledges the Awabakal, Worimi, and all First Nations peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise the harms caused to Awabakal, Worimi, and all First Nations communities by child protection policies and practices—harms that continue today. We commit to working towards ending these harms and affirm that family leadership and participation are part of the solution.
Commitment to Inclusion
We value and uphold an inclusive culture where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Gender Diverse, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people have the right to feel safe and respected.