The Family Inclusion Network of Western Australia (Fin WA Inc.) began by providing voluntary support in July 2004 and formally incorporated as an association in October 2006.
Fin WA Inc. is to provide a range of necessary services to parents and family members who are in crisis following the removal of their children, or at any stage of their involvement with the child protection system. Services include information, support and one on one case involvement. Parents at risk of losing their children, grandparents and other affected family members can also access the service.
A key role of Fin WA Inc. is to ensure birth parents play an equal part in the child protection process. This is achieved by Fin WA Inc. working alongside parents to help them understand their rights, responsibilities and reasons for intervention by the DCP. We also assist parents to improve their life skills and abilities, and to strengthen their confidence to more effectively communicate and engage with departmental workers and support them to overcome the issues that may have led to their child/ren to be placed in State or alternate care.
Research shows birth parents who do not receive support and information at the time and immediately following the removal of their children are more likely to fall deeper into crisis and may further divulge in the behaviours that caused them to have their children removed. These behaviours generally include alcoholism; drug addiction and misuse; domestic violence and / or abuse. Other issues that contribute to why children are removed from the care of their parents include child abuse and neglect; poverty; homelessness; poor parenting skills; disabilities; and lack of support from extended family, friends and the community.
Two more roles Fin WA Inc. seeks to achieve are to affect positive change in government policy on child protection and to provide information to the media and community on issues involving birth parents.
|
About Fin WA
