Residential Services
Working in
Residential Services
At Aboriginal Family Support Services, we provide safe, stable and nurturing 24/7 residential care for Aboriginal children and young people who cannot live with their birth families. Our approach is culturally safe and trauma informed, built around healing, connection to culture and strong relationships.
Our dedicated Youth Support Workers walk alongside children and young people every day – helping them feel safe, rebuild trust, and discover their strengths. From the first moment of care to everyday milestones like learning to read or making new friends, our team makes a lasting difference.
We invest heavily in our people. AFSS provides mentoring, wellbeing support, and professional development in areas such as trauma-informed practice, cultural awareness, crisis intervention, and therapeutic care. Our Communities of Practice encourage reflection, growth and peer support so our staff feel confident and capable.
Whether you’re new to the sector or bring previous experience, joining AFSS means working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that values culture, healing and safety – and where your efforts help create brighter futures for young people.
Cultural Immersion Program
At AFSS, our residential services are built on more than just meeting the basic needs of Aboriginal children and young people in care.
We are committed to walking alongside them on their journey of healing, growth, and cultural connection. Our work is deeply rooted in the belief that every young person deserves to experience love, belonging, and the strength of their cultural identity.
Supporting Aboriginal young people in residential care is about more than simply providing a safe place to live – it’s about creating real, lasting change. Our Cultural Immersion Program focuses on helping young people heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and reconnect with their Aboriginal culture, community, and country. We strive to create positive childhood memories that they will carry with them for life, and getting them involved in activities such as:
Day Trips and Bush Camps
Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremonies
Bush Tucker & Roo Tail Cook Ups
Colour Runs Celebrating Culture
Cultural Storytelling with Elders
Ochre Painting and Country Learning Experiences
Meet
Our Team
Help Connect kids to Culture
All donations go towards our children's fund contributing to cultural activities and events for kids in care
Want to find out more about Residential Services or our Cultural Immersion Program?
Our friendly Residential Services team is here to help with any questions you may have. Whether you’d like to learn more about the program, share ideas for cultural activities for our children in care, or explore starting a career as a Youth Worker, please complete the initial form or get in touch with us directly via email at:
Shane.Catterall@afss.com.au
Dave.Platt@afss.com.au
