Family Reunification Reunification is a planned process of safely returning a child/ren to their home with their family of origin. The service provides intensive in-home support in the process of safely reconnecting children in out-of-home care with their families.
CASE STUDY
When Sophia* joined AnglicareSA’s Family Reunification program, she was exhausted – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Years of surviving domestic and sexual violence, navigating the child protection system, and trying to rebuild a life had left her isolated and unheard. But even through deep trauma, Sophia’s love for her children never wavered. She showed up with determination, asking not for a handout but for a chance. The program became a turning point. With a trauma-informed lens and a respectful, consistent approach, Sophia was given the space to be heard – properly, perhaps for the first time. Her story was met not with judgment, but with validation. Through a strong therapeutic alliance, she began to process what she had endured, reconnect with her identity as a parent, and build the protective factors her children needed. Sophia worked hard to rebuild trust, demonstrate safety, and prepare for reunification – not just logistically, but emotionally.
With targeted support, she developed skills in parenting, emotional regulation, and advocacy. She engaged fully, reflected deeply, and always kept her children’s needs at the centre. Eventually, the Department for Child Protection recognised her progress and the day her children returned to her care was one of pure joy – a deeply earned moment of validation, strength, and renewal. But Sophia’s impact did not end there. She now speaks publicly about her experience. She gives voice to women still trapped in violence and systemic disadvantage in calling for change, sharing hope, and disrupting shame. Sophia is currently exploring a Social Work degree, with the goal of supporting families like hers from within the system. Sophia’s story is more than reunification. It is about building safety, restoring dignity, and honouring the resilience that exists even in the hardest places. *Name changed for privacy
50
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker