GAZETTED ORGANISATION
Aboriginal Family Support Services (AFSS) is an AIACCA organisation that provides a range of services for the Aboriginal community in South Australia.
AFSS is also one of three Aboriginal organizations that are gazetted in South Australia.
A gazetted organisation must be consulted in all cases where an Aboriginal child is subject to a Court Order.
The purpose of gazetted organizations is to provide advocacy, consultation, cultural advice and representation of community views. These may be through written responses to Court Orders or the attendance at Family Care Meetings.
Gazetted organizations in South Australia are empowered by Section 5 of the Children’s Protection Act 1993
Currently AFSS provides written advice for all Court Responses in South Australia. AFSS attends all Family Care Meetings in the metropolitan and Northern Country region. AFSS has established networks in communities where AFSS does not provide a service to ensure a cultural representative is present at Family Care Meetings.
AFSS in July 2003 reviewed its role as a Gazetted organization. Up to that date, AFSS Alternative Care workers were writing Court Responses and attending Family Care Meetings. At times this caused conflict as the worker may have also been supporting the birth’s family child through the support of the foster carer. AFSS identified the need to have an independent senior Aboriginal worker to provide advice to the Courts and attend Family Care Meetings. The Agency appointed a Cultural Consultant in August 2004 to fill this role.
AFSS Cultural Consultant has a broad understanding of all communities within South Australia and has established strong links with the Family Court Team, Children, Youth, Families and Communities (CYFS) throughout South Australia, other Aboriginal Service Providers and Gazetted organizations.
AFSS is currently the only Gazetted Organisation providing cultural advice in South Australia. AFSS has provided this service to the Aboriginal community for many years and through continual evaluation has developed a strong and culturally appropriate service. The service’s strength is enhanced by the strong relationships AFSS has built with the Care and Protection Unit, CYFS Cultural Consultants and Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Alternative Care Service Providers.

Manager, Family & Community Care
Aboriginal Family Support Services
134 Waymouth Street, Adelaide  SA  5000
Telephone 08 82121112 or Fax 08 82121123
Email: afss@afss.com.au