FORCED CLOSURE DUE TO FUNDING- Our philanthropic funding has officially come to an end and with no government funding secured to continue operations and grants pending, the short term outlook of NSW’s first and only Peer Parent and Family Advocacy & Support Service is extremely grim.
We have had to cease funded service operations temporarily and as pause delivery of our peer parent programs that offer free supports and guidance to the often forgotten vulnerable families in NSW navigating the complex system of legal and agency policies and procedures that keep many children isolated from their families, the people who know them and love them, their identitity, culture, traditions and community.
Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter is the first and only organisation of its kind in NSW: parent-led, not-for-profit organisation and a unique alliance of parents and family members with lived experience of child protection processes, alongside professionals with experience in child protection, health and community sectors.
For over a decade, Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter (FISH) has walked beside families navigating the child protection system in NSW — offering peer-led support and advocacy during some of the most isolating and traumatic moments of their lives. Our experienced peer workers provide free phone support, court support, meeting support, workshops and individual and group support, indvidual and systems advocacy.
We know what families need — and we know our program works. Our program is grounded in the international evidence base for peer parent family advocacy and support that has shown how lived experience can transform the outcomes for children and families involved with child protective services.
When parents are supported, children do better, and are more likely to return safely home
But now we are limited by what we can deliver as a volunteer organisiation now that we don't have core funding. Please consider donating to allow us to deliver some of the most valued and impactful programs including
1. Court Support
2. Free confidential phoneline for parents to speak with trained peer parents
3. Peer-led workshops
We Have Made a Real Impact on Families and Children- just one receIn nt 12-month period (October 2024 to October 2025):
37 children from 21 families (8 Aboriginal , 13 non-Aboriginal) who were supported by FISH Peer Advocacy & Support Service had their Restorations formalised in Court.
That means 37 children returning home to the safety, love and care of their families
Modelling based on Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) benefits library suggests that this equates to an avoided cost to government of nearly $14 million ($13,917,291) in out-of-home care costs alone.
And that doesn’t even include the long-term ripple effects:
Without generous donations
And the long-term social and economic cost will be enormous
You can be the bridge to allow us to keep running our peer parent programs, ensuring families have continuity of supports whilst we work hard behind the scenes trying to secure multiyear funding.
[ Donate Now — Keep This Lifeline For Families Alive ]
When you give, you say I'm part of the village that believes Families matter. Children deserve better.
With urgency and hope kind regards,
The Peer Parents, Allies and Peer Workers
Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter
Yes
Yes, as soon as your donation is processed.
Family Inclusion Strategies acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the harms done to First Nations communities by child protection policies and practices and that these harms continue today. We commit ourselves to helping to end those harms. We name family leadership and participation as part of the solution.
FORCED CLOSURE DUE TO FUNDING- Our philanthropic funding has officially come to an end and with no government funding secured to continue operations and grants pending, the short term outlook of NSW’s first and only Peer Parent and Family Advocacy & Support Service is extremely grim.
We have had to cease funded service operations temporarily and as pause delivery of our peer parent programs that offer free supports and guidance to the often forgotten vulnerable families in NSW navigating the complex system of legal and agency policies and procedures that keep many children isolated from their families, the people who know them and love them, their identitity, culture, traditions and community.
Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter is the first and only organisation of its kind in NSW: parent-led, not-for-profit organisation and a unique alliance of parents and family members with lived experience of child protection processes, alongside professionals with experience in child protection, health and community sectors.
For over a decade, Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter (FISH) has walked beside families navigating the child protection system in NSW — offering peer-led support and advocacy during some of the most isolating and traumatic moments of their lives. Our experienced peer workers provide free phone support, court support, meeting support, workshops and individual and group support, indvidual and systems advocacy.
We know what families need — and we know our program works. Our program is grounded in the international evidence base for peer parent family advocacy and support that has shown how lived experience can transform the outcomes for children and families involved with child protective services.
When parents are supported, children do better, and are more likely to return safely home
But now we are limited by what we can deliver as a volunteer organisiation now that we don't have core funding. Please consider donating to allow us to deliver some of the most valued and impactful programs including
1. Court Support
2. Free confidential phoneline for parents to speak with trained peer parents
3. Peer-led workshops
We Have Made a Real Impact on Families and Children- just one receIn nt 12-month period (October 2024 to October 2025):
37 children from 21 families (8 Aboriginal , 13 non-Aboriginal) who were supported by FISH Peer Advocacy & Support Service had their Restorations formalised in Court.
That means 37 children returning home to the safety, love and care of their families
Modelling based on Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) benefits library suggests that this equates to an avoided cost to government of nearly $14 million ($13,917,291) in out-of-home care costs alone.
And that doesn’t even include the long-term ripple effects:
Without generous donations
And the long-term social and economic cost will be enormous
You can be the bridge to allow us to keep running our peer parent programs, ensuring families have continuity of supports whilst we work hard behind the scenes trying to secure multiyear funding.
[ Donate Now — Keep This Lifeline For Families Alive ]
When you give, you say I'm part of the village that believes Families matter. Children deserve better.
With urgency and hope kind regards,
The Peer Parents, Allies and Peer Workers
Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter
Yes
Yes, as soon as your donation is processed.
Family Inclusion Strategies acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the harms done to First Nations communities by child protection policies and practices and that these harms continue today. We commit ourselves to helping to end those harms. We name family leadership and participation as part of the solution.
