About the Service

Breathing Space supports young women by providing individualised, intensive and culturally responsive specialist interventions.

Breathing Space practices on the foundation of trauma responsive practice and is underpinned by a Therapeutic Framework designed and implemented by Dr Jackie Amos. The service has partnered with CatholicCare NT to implement the Aboriginal Family Coping Toolkit.  The Toolkit provides a strength based, narrative approach to addressing trauma, through the sharing of individual and family stories.

Breathing Space is an early intervention response to families most in need through the Child and Family Service System (CFSS) reform.

• Brochure

Who do we support?

Breathing Space supports young women:

• Aged under 25 who have experienced removal of a child or children from their care.
• Are at risk of repeat removals of children from their care.
• Have no children in their care and are not pregnant at the time of engaging with the service.
• Are willing to receive sexual health education and women’s health supports.

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

How do we support young women?

Young women will receive intensive and individualised support from the Breathing Space multidisciplinary team:

• Case Manager
• Aboriginal Case Manager
• Women’s Health Nurse
• Financial Counsellor
• Senior Practitioner

The Breathing Space is underpinned by the Aboriginal co-design criteria and strengths-based approach that promotes the voices of Aboriginal people, self-determination and values the importance of culture as a strength.

The service will partner with young women to hear their lived experience and create an environment that allows them to heal from grief and loss and address the impact of intergenerational trauma.

Interventions are provided for up to 18 months and include:

Immediate crisis/safety response:

• Therapeutic
• Practical
• Specialist
• Brokerage
• Group work

What do we want to achieve?

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

Where does the service operate?

Breathing Space supports young women living in the Local Government Areas of Adelaide, Marion, Onkaparinga and part of Port Adelaide Enfield.

Referrals

Breathing Space accepts referrals from:

• Department for Child Protection (DCP)
• Department of Human Services
• Maternity hospitals
• Non-government organisations
• Self-referrals

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

Referrals are made via: breathingspace@centacare.org.au or by making direct contact with the Program Manager or Senior Therapeutic Practitioner on 8303 6600.