Together4Kids (T4K) is a specialist child-focused team which provides support and training to those working in the homelessness sector and therapeutic support for children in groups and as individuals. Our therapeutic services are provided to children aged between 0 and 12 years who have experienced homelessness or unstable accommodation, family domestic violence and resultant relational trauma.
The aim of our work is to assist children to overcome trauma, regulate emotions and self-expression, manage transitions and build resilience, and to support parents to become allies with these goals with the strengthening of parent–child relationships.
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What we know
Together4Kids exists because children who are, or have been, homeless will often be feeling insecure, or even traumatised. Their routines and their relationships are likely to have been disrupted and they may have experienced multiple losses and stresses. Their parents are going through tough times, and at this time, often are not able to provide the emotional support they would like to.
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Children who are clients of your service can be assisted by skilled therapists from Together4Kids to make sense of their sometimes complex experiences, understand and manage their feelings, better manage transitions and improve their socialising skills and participation in schooling.As skilled workers on the ’front line’ you may recognise children in your service who are struggling with their mental health, those who are emotionally volatile or even developmentally behind their milestones. It is those children that will benefit from specialist support.
If you notice a parent struggling with their child’s behaviour, or you think a child has behaviours as a result of the trauma or crisis the family have been through, then a referral to Together4Kids can assist you with your work.
Together4Kids work directly with each child in collaboration with the Case Worker/Manager to customise a unique therapeutic service in line with your service’s case plan for the family. We view parents as allies in our work, supporting them to learn more about their child’s experiences and strengthen positive bonds with their children. Together4Kids in collaboration with you, the family’s Case Worker/Manager, foster the emotional connection between the parent/child relationship.
Many families in unstable housing will require support for their children. Call Together4Kids on 8245 8190 to discuss how Together4Kids could support your work with families, and provide a warm referral for a child you are concerned about.
Children offered Together4Kids specialist support must be referred via H2H.
Who is eligible?
Homelessness or domestic violence services can refer a child to Together4Kids after completing an initial client assessment. A child’s referral eligibility requirements are:
- Aged 0-12 years
- Living with a parent who is homeless or in unstable accommodation
- Identified as in high need of support to process complex life experiences, significant loss or distress.
- The child may have complex needs requiring multiple service responses.
- They may have experienced significant disadvantage such as chronic homelessness.
- They may have developmental difficulties and may have had exposure to violence, abuse, or other trauma.
- Their family may need support to increase their child focus.
- Currently managed by a homelessness or domestic violence service
Together4Kids Services
Together4Kids provides support to children in a number of different ways:
Therapeutic Interventions for Children in Motels
Suitable for
Families with children aged 0-12yrs who are in motel accommodation and case managed by your service.
The focus of Therapeutic Interventions for Children in Motels is to support parents/carers to provide emotional and relationship stability to their children. Interventions are in-the-moment practical strategies for parents to implement with their children while in motel accommodation. The intention is to minimize the impacts of trauma on the children due to their experience of moving to motel accommodation.Together4Kids interventions provide parenting skills, relaxation skills and support emotional regulation for both the parent and the child. There are practical resources specifically designed by Together4Kids that are provided to families in motel accommodation. Please talk to the Together4Kids therapist about what is available, that compliments the resources your service has provided for the children.
Delivery options
The services provided will be determined following a conversation between the Together4kids therapist and the family Case Worker /Manager or Children’s Worker
a) single session therapeutic intervention delivered by Together4Kids specialist directly to the parent/carer and the child at your service site (via appointment)
b) single session therapeutic intervention delivered by the family’s Case Worker/Manager or the Children’s Worker which is developed either by a meeting or via phone call with a Together4Kids specialist
Motel Support Request Form
Single Session Therapeutic Groups
Suitable for
Families with children aged 0-12yrs who are case managed by your Service. Any family, with children 0-12yrs, currently case managed by your service where you notice a parent is distracted by their circumstances and their child needs more positive connection with them. Children 0-12yrs awaiting Intensive Therapeutic Support with Together4Kids.
Service provided
Drop-in Single Session Therapeutic Groups for children 0-12yrs together with their parent/carer. These groups are delivered at various service sites during school terms and school holidays. The groups are stand-alone which means children and their parents/carers can attend just one or attend multiple sessions. Each group has a therapeutic benefit and is facilitated by Together4Kids to ensure they remain intentionally therapeutic (not a playgroup or crèche service) while also being fun. Each Single Session Therapeutic Group focuses on one or more of the following:
• Trauma-informed Education for Parents
• Reflective Parenting Skills
• Relaxation Skills
• Emotional Regulation
• Coping Strategies for Children
Delivery options
On-site at appropriate service sites during school terms and school holidays. Please discuss your service’s venue options that suit your client’s needs with Together4Kids workers.
Single Session Individual Therapeutic Interventions
Suitable for
Families with children 0-12yrs whose parents/carers cannot commit to the Intensive Therapeutic Support at this time. For example, when the demands of housing appointments are prioritised, or a parent’s mental health issues makes it challenging for the parent to commit to regular appointments.
Service provided
The focus of Single Session Individual Therapeutic Interventions for children is to support parents/carers to develop and strengthen their emotional and relationship stability to their children. Interventions are in-the-moment practical strategies for parents to implement with their children. The intention is to support the parent to minimise the impacts of trauma in their particular child even in circumstances where parents/carers are unable to commit to longer term support.Single Session Individual Therapeutic Interventions for children focus on one or more of the following:
• Trauma-informed Education for Parents
• Reflective Parenting Skills
• Relaxation Skills
• Emotional Regulation
• Coping Strategies for Children
Delivery options
How this service is delivered will be determined following a conversation between Together4Kids and Case Worker/Manager or Children’s worker
a) Single Session Individual Therapeutic Interventions for children delivered directly to the parent/carer and child at a suitable site (by appointment)
b) Single Session Individual Therapeutic Interventions for children delivered by the family’s Case Worker/Manager or the Children’s Worker which is developed by a meeting or via phone call with a Together4Kids specialist
Intensive Therapeutic Support
Suitable for
Families with children 0-12yrs in supported accommodation, transitional housing, private rental or community housing.
Situations where children are in crisis accommodation will be reviewed on a case-by-case situation as to whether this is the best time for this child to provide Intensive Therapeutic Support.
This is not suitable for families in motel accommodation.
Service provided
Intensive Therapeutic Support starts with the Together4Kids specialist writing a therapeutic plan specifically for each child. Intensive therapeutic plans are delivered by weekly appointments with the child over a period of up to 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks the child’s progress is discussed with the Case Worker/Manager and parent. A re-referral option for further intensive therapeutic support is available upon discussion with the Case Worker/Manager.Intensive Therapeutic Support focuses primarily on Phase 1 trauma work which seeks to bring emotional stability to a child’s world. Children who may benefit from Phase 1 trauma work include children who are not coping with school, or their parents are unable to manage their child’s emotions, or the child may present behaviour that the parent finds difficult to manage. Intensive Therapeutic Support work includes:
• Trauma-informed Education for Parents
• Reflective Parenting Skills
• Relaxation Skills
• Emotional Regulation
• Coping Strategies for Children
Delivery options
Together4Kids is an outreach service and delivers Intensive Therapeutic Support at appropriate venues that can include the child’s home, school, Children’s Centres, on-site at your service or other suitable locations determined in consultation with the Case Worker/Manager and family.
The services provided by Together4Kids will be determined following a conversation between Together4Kids and Case Worker/Manager or Children’s worker.
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Therapeutic Intervention for Children in Motels |
Single Session Therapeutic Group |
Single Session Individual Therapeutic Interventions |
Intensive Therapeutic Support |
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| Crisis Accommodation |
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| Transitional Housing |
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| Supported Housing |
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| Private Rental/Community Housing |
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How to refer a child to Together4Kids
- Call Together4Kids on 8245 8190 to discuss how Together4Kids can support your work with families and provide a warm referral
- Complete the Together4Kids Referral Form (Motel Support also available see more here)
- Make a referral on H2H
Together4Kids team
We are all trained in helping kids deal with tough situations, and we have plenty of options for kids of different ages. Find out more about the Together4Kids team.
Awards
2016 Child Focussed Practice was a Finalist for Learning Program of the Year for Adult Learners’ Week.
2015 Infant Massage Program was winner of Play Your Part Awards for South Australia from NAPCAN.
2014 Together4Kids was winner of Play Your Part Awards for South Australia from NAPCAN.
2012 Together4Kids was a finalist in the ‘Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness’ category as part of the inaugural National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards. Together4Kids produced Kamamirna Kakirra (Nanna’s Moon) an educational DVD depicting the importance of a connection to culture in the healing process for Aboriginal women and children who are homeless.
Locations
This service is provided to the whole state of South Australia via telephone, video or face to face as required.
Cost
Free
Service Resources
- About Together4Kids (Arabic)
- About Together4Kids (Chinese)
- About Together4Kids (Dari)
- About Together4Kids (Dinka)
- About Together4Kids (Farsi)
- About Together4Kids (Khmer)
- About Together4Kids (Pitjantjatjara)
- About Together4Kids (Spanish)
- About Together4Kids (Vietnamese)
- Information for Parents (Brochure)
- Information for Service Providers (Brochure)
- Together4Kids Referral Form
- Together4Kids Motel Support Referral From
Funding Acknowledgement
The Child Focused Support Service (Together4Kids) is provided by Relationships Australia SA and funded by the Government of South Australia, Department of Human Services, Housing Authority.
Service Enquiry
All referrals to Together4Kids are made through Homelessness Services.
If you would like any further information about this service, please click here to send us an email.