Our staff

Ashleigh Daines - CEO

Ashleigh Daines commenced as the CEO of The Family Co. in October 2019. Read more

Michelle Fairweather - Operations Manager

Michelle Fairweather is the Operations Manager at The Family Co. Read more

Kim Byron - Child, Youth & Family Manager

Kim leads our dynamic and creative team at The Family Co Youth Services, providing a youth-centred, trauma informed practice that encourages self-expression and self-exploration for young people to develop their skills and identity, and explore their creativity through the programs and workshops on offer. Read more

Melissa Philbrook - BRIC Team Leader

Melissa is our newest member of the Executive Team, and brings a wealth of experience in Social Work to her role as Team Leader of our Building Resilience in Children (BRIC) Project. Read more

Amber Schacht - Youth Programs Coordinator

Amber Schacht is our Youth Programs Coordinator at The Family Co. She is passionate about the important work of helping support young people in our community. Read more

Belinda Harrison - Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Manager

Belinda Harrison is the Manager of the Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service - which is funded by Legal Aid, but delivered by The Family Co. Read more

Lola Hearn - Administration & Facilities Manager

Lola started with The Family Co over 30 years ago, and is our Facilities and Administration Manager. Read more

Nicki Mead - Marketing Manager

Nicki Mead is our Marketing Manager looking after our website, social media, events and collateral. Read more

Melissa Keane - Team Leader, Staying Home Leaving Violence program

Melissa Keane is a domestic violence specialist worker with extensive experience in casework and mental health support. She is the Team Leader for our Staying Home Leaving Violence program, a specialist service for women wanting to leave a relationship where they are experiencing one or more of the many forms of domestic and family violence. Read more

Latest

Consent Conversations: Parenting Seminar (18 October 2023) *Open to Sutherland Shire Residents Only

Join us on Wednesday 18th October 2023 from 7pm-8:30pm for a parenting workshop on the topic of "Consent Conversations" for parents wanting to learn how to talk to their kids about consent, and navigating their rights and responsibilities in relationships.
October School Holiday Art Class for Kids (Aged 7-12) - Clay & Painting

On 5th October, we're offering a School Holidays art class for kids! Using clay and painting methods, facilitated by a qualified art therapist, our child will have the opportunity to express themselves artistically while trying out new materials and art making techniques. Class is $40 for 1.5 hours and includes all materials. For children aged 7-12 only. Book now as limit of 12 children applies. Creative Kids Vouchers Accepted.
Pathway of Change: Domestic Violence Support Group (Term 4, 2023) *Open to Sutherland Shire Residents Only

This free, 5 week education and support group is designed to provide a safe and nurturing space for women to understand the complexity of Domestic Violence and reduce the social isolation of their experience. Through the lived and shared experiences of women and their children, the group allows women to build on their strengths to keep themselves and their children safe.
Managing Big Feelings: Emotion Coaching Workshop for Parents (Term 4, 2023) *Open to Sutherland Shire Residents Only

This FREE Parent Education/ Emotion Coaching Workshop Series will be held on Tuesdays for 3 weeks during October/November at our Jannali site. This 3 week program will help parents understand what emotion coaching is, and how they can use it to help their children understand and better manage their emotions. Limited places available.

About Us

We exist because all children and families should have a safe home, strong connections and opportunities to thrive in life.
Group Programs Schedule

Each term, we publish a calendar of events for programs we offer. This includes our Parenting Support Programs, Early Childhood and Educational Support Programs and Domestic Violence Support Programs.
How to Refer

Help is easy to access. You can be referred by a health professional or another agency, or self-refer. Just call us on (02) 9528 2933 and tell us what you need help with.
Domestic and Family Violence Caseworker

A vacancy exists for a Domestic and Family Violence Caseworker. This role is Full Time (37.5 hours a week) and offered on a Fixed Term contract until 30 June 2024
Family Caseworker Program

Family Workers provide assistance to families who, for a variety of reasons, would benefit from additional support.
Learning about Australian Animals sparks joy in Djanaba kids

Last week the Djanaba Occasional Care team integrated a learning unit on Australian Animals, with the children showing great interest in the varied activities from reading, to art, to games, that helped them learn all about koalas, kangaroos, and other native fauna.
Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service

The Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (SSWDVCAS) provides information, advocacy and referrals for women and families attending Sutherland and Kogarah Local Courts for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to help us! We're a lean and specialised team, and while we don't allow volunteers in client facing capacities, we are very grateful to have volunteers who can assist with admin, marketing and events. If you're interested, we'd love to hear from you!
Support The Family Co.

Help us put your donation to work where ever the need is greatest. You can give a one-off donation or make a regular gift by Direct Debit.
Play and Connect

Play and Connect is a free playgroup for families, and operates every Thursday morning during school terms at The Family Co centre in Jannali. This supportive group provides opportunity for families to connect with their child through fun, interactive activities, sensory play and art.