OUR PROGRAMS
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES
Safe, nurturing and stable homes for children in care
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What this program is
Nawiri Foundation provides a safe, nurturing and stable environment for children and young people under the guardianship or custody of the Chief Executive, Department for Child Protection, or placed under another order or authority, through residential care and specialised children's services.
We exist to give children and young people who cannot live at home a stable place to grow — one where every day is built around safety, connection, and the chance to simply be a kid. We work in partnership with DCP, and with the NDIS where a child has a disability or complex support needs, to deliver residential care that responds to each child's individual needs, including disability, developmental, behavioural and trauma-related needs.
WHO IT IS FOR
Who we work with
-
Children and young people under the Guardianship or Custody of the Chief Executive, DCP, or another order or authority
-
Children and young people requiring short-term, emergency or longer-term residential care placements
-
Children and young people with disability, developmental delay, or complex behavioural and trauma-related needs
-
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
-
Sibling groups and children requiring carefully assessed, compatible multi-placement arrangements, where safe to do so
WHAT WE OFFER
How the program works
Residential care
Staffed homes offering emergency, short-term and longer-term placements. Rostered teams who know each child, consistent routines, and a household that runs like a home rather than a facility.
Therapeutic support
A trauma-informed model applied to daily practice, not only to case plans. Behaviour support, help with emotional regulation, and coordination with clinicians, schools and DCP case workers.
Education and participation
Keeping children connected to school, sport, culture and community. Practical support to get there, stay there, and be welcomed when they arrive.
Family, culture and connection
Support to maintain family contact where appropriate, cultural connection, and community relationships throughout a child's time in care.
Transition and leaving care
Planned, child-centred transition into and out of placements, and preparation for the move into adulthood and, where relevant, NDIS-funded adult supports.
CULTURAL SAFETY
How we make it work for you
-
Staff trained in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle — Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation and Connection
-
Cultural matching between participants and workers wherever possible
-
Respect for cultural norms, religious practice, gender preference, dietary needs and family structure
-
Family involved in planning where you want them to be
CULTURAL SAFETY
How we make it work for you
-
Nawiri Foundation residential homes across metropolitan Adelaide
-
Schools and education settings, through joint planning and support
-
Community, sport and cultural settings the child chooses
-
Health and allied health services, through coordinated appointments
-
Our Wayville office, for case planning and family or carer meetings
OTHER PROGRAMS
People rarely need just one thing
NAWIRI FAMILY CONNECT
Strengthening families, protecting children, building futures
Early intervention and practical family support, working alongside parents before things reach crisis point.
NAWIRI HOMEWARD BOUND
Meeting people where they are, walking with them toward home
Street outreach, case management and tenancy support for people sleeping rough or at risk of losing housing.
NAWIRI COMMUNITY BRIDGES
Building bridges between communities and the support they deserve
Navigation and settlement support for migrant and refugee communities, delivered in community languages and community spaces.