Breathing Space

Breathing Space is an outreach program that provides individualised therapeutic case management and specialist trauma therapy, with cultural responsiveness and cultural safety at the foundation of all interventions.

Breathing Space partners with young women who have experienced the removal of a child/ren to identify their needs and hopes for the future and to create a supportive environment that recognises the impacts of grief and loss. 

Trauma-responsive interventions are underpinned by a Therapeutic Framework designed to address the impacts of interpersonal and intergenerational trauma. Breathing Space values the lived experience of each young woman and privileges the voices of young Aboriginal women to empower self-determination and promote the importance of culture.

This service is funded by Department of Human Services.

About our service

The service aims to support young women to create ‘space’ for themselves to focus on their own life needs and strengthen their:

• emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing,
• understanding of sexual health,
• family and community connections,
• relationships,
• identity including their parental identity,
• agency and self-determination,
• resilience,
• confidence.

Our supports

Young women will receive intensive and individualised support for up to 18 months from the Breathing Space multi-disciplinary team:

• Therapeutic Case Manager
• Clinical Nurse
• Senior Therapeutic Practitioner

The service is supported by a Clinical Lead, Aboriginal Cultural Consultant and Financial Advocate.

Eligibility

Breathing Space supports young women who, at the time of referral, are under 25 and:

• have experienced the removal of a child/or children from their care,
• do not have children in their primary care,
• are not pregnant,
• are willing to take a break from pregnancy.

Priority is given to young women who have experienced out-of-home care placement.

Cost

Breathing Space is a FREE service.

Referrals

The service is voluntary and accepts referrals with the young woman’s consent.

Breathing Space accepts referrals from:

• Department for Child Protection (DCP),
• Department for Human Services (DHS),
• maternity hospitals,
• non-government organisations,
• self-referrals.

Locations

We are based at Noarlunga with outreach support at local Government areas of Adelaide, Marion, Onkaparinga and the eastern suburbs of Port Adelaide Enfield Councils.