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. Find out more about this service HERE.
Click here for Together4Kids Service information
Also see:
Resources for Parents
Resources for Professionals
Education/Training for Professionals
Deborah, General Manager of Children’s Services
As General Manager of Children’s Services, Deborah oversees a number of innovative programs for Relationships Australia SA. As well as Together4Kids, there are services to support parenting, early intervention to improve the mental health of families with children aged up to 18 years and a program to support children to participate positively in schooling. Currently, she is overseeing a pilot program that provides case management for families where there is need for support during pregnancy or there is an infant aged under 2 years. Advocating for a child focus approach to all community services work, as well as a particular interest in infant mental health Deborah has developed a range of professional development resources for front line and specialist workers.
Karina, Team Leader
A proud DjaDja Wurrung / Yorta Yorta woman, with ancestral ties to kin and country of Northeast Victoria. Karina’s mob are river people. Karina has had the privilege of living, loving and working on Kaurna Country for more than a decade, and feels honoured to walk alongside children and families who are healing and growing. Karina’s professional background is in Early Childhood Development and Education and her passion is to give voice to the voiceless. Karina has lead the Together4Kids team for more than 4 years and her role is pivotal in challenging and influencing each practitioner in the team, to work with Aboriginal Practice Principles and trauma informed/trauma responsive lens.
Chloe, Children’s Therapeutic Worker
Chloe has continued her graduate studies in psychology obtaining a Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Combining a range of clinical methodologies, Chloe provides a creative and playful therapeutic approach when engaging and working with the community’s most vulnerable children.
Kerryn, Coordinator Infant Massage and Early Parenting Educator
Kerryn works alongside Infants, Toddlers, and their Families with Together4Kids both in one to one and community group settings.
Informed by a background in Parenting & Childbirth Education, Midwifery and Nursing practice, Kerryn is an experienced facilitator and a qualified Infant Massage Instructor. She delivers Professional Development opportunities for staff working alongside Infants, Toddlers and their caregivers. These courses currently include Baby Massage for Bonding and The Garden Train the Facilitator Program, both delivered through the Australian Institute of Social Relations.
In her role as Coordinator of Infant Massage at RASA Kerryn supports a network of cue-based Instructors linked by their desire to ensure as many families as possible, have access to Infant Mental health principals and cue- based infant massage opportunities across South Australia.
Kerryn has served as a member of the Australian Infant Mental Health Association South Australia committee and her goal is to continue travelling the world by sitting down locally with babies powerfully placed as teachers and their caregivers’ experts in their baby’s world view.
Sharna, Children’s Therapeutic Support Worker
Sharna has always been passionate about working with families, having grown up in a large, non-nuclear family as 1 of 7 children. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work and began working at Relationships Australia South Australia following her final field placement within the organisation. Sharna has worked in the Children & Parenting Service in intake, throughout her time at RASA. She was in the Western Child and Family Assessment and Referral Network team in a case support capacity before moving into Together4Kids. Sharna is passionate about working restoratively with clients and within her teams. She enjoys looking for fun and creative ways to engage with families – the more glitter, the better!
Mulan, Children’s Therapeutic Worker
Mulan joined the T4K team after she finished her Counselling and Psychotherapy Master degree in the University of Adelaide. Throughout all the theories and methodologies that Mulan has practiced, Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory and Marte Meo way of practice are among her greatest passion. Mulan also facilitates positive relationships between children and their caregivers in the therapeutic child-focused group environments. Mulan believes that healthy relationships between parent and child start in an early stage, as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor she enjoys supporting parent and baby communicate through cue based infant massage.
Ollie, Children’s Therapeutic Support Worker
Ollie grew up in Port Augusta, on Kokatha Country. From a young age she has worked with children, including teaching dance, gymnastics, swimming OSHC work and running vacation care programs. Ollie recently joined the Together 4 Kids team, after having decided to develop her skills and advocating for vulnerable persons. She is currently completing her studies at The University of Adelaide. Ollie enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family, cooking and going to the beach.
Gemima, Children’s Therapeutic Worker
Gemima has extensive experience working with children and families to enrich relationships, build capacity and provide opportunities for healing. Gemima has a Bachelor of Social Work and is a trained facilitator of Circle of Security and The Big Tree Therapeutic Dolls, which assist her work in amplifying the voice of the child. Gemima’s practice is underpinned by the power of connection, informed by research in Attachment and shame. Gemima aims to understand people in the context of their environment and the policies which have influenced and shaped their lives.
Tamar Stone, Children’s Therapeutic Support Worker (Intake Assessment and Groups)
Tamar’s professional background is in Community Services and she joined the Together4Kids team after completing her studies. Tamar is an Infant Massage Facilitator and Facilitator of The Garden program, working with families with children under 5yrs, supporting parents to strengthen their attachment to their children in a fun, therapeutic way. As an Infant Massage facilitator, Tamar supports parents to notice and respond to their infant’s cues and helps enhance their attachment and attunement. Tamar is passionate about making a difference in vulnerable families lives, using a strengths based approach and trauma informed principles.
Teagan, Children’s Therapeutic Support Worker
Teagan is a Children’s Therapeutic Support Worker in the Together4Kids team, she has a background working in the Mental Health Support and Prevention and Child Protection sectors, and has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Australia in Psychological Science.
Teagan is currently completing studies in Counselling to become a registered Counsellor. Teagan has a wealth of knowledge in Trauma and its impact on children and families and thrives when she is working to grow children and their families. Teagan believes strongly in Growth Mindset and Strengths-Based practice approaches and knows that each person is an expert of their own life.
Matthew, Children’s Therapeutic Support Worker
Matthew comes from a professional background in Early Childhood Development where he found a passion for working alongside vulnerable children and families. He feels privileged to have the opportunity to enrich relationships, build capacity and provide a voice to the child while empowering parents and caregivers. Strength-based approach, restorative practice, and narrative approach underpin his practice model. Matthew enjoys providing a creative and playful therapeutic approach while engaging and working with vulnerable members of the community.
