SalvoCare Eastern FRI

Family Reconciliation Initiative (FRI) is a program offered to young people living in Bass Coast, South Gippsland and the Wellington area and who are aged 16 to 18 years of age.

Family Reconciliation practitioners work with young people to address family issues between young people and their families, with a focus on healing and restoring relationships to support young people to move forward with their lives.

This is not simply a case management role but a stand-alone position delivering an intensive and targeted approach to addressing family issues. The positions take the lead action on family reconciliation approaches with the young person and their family to:

• develop strategies for intervening earlier with young people and their families, taking account of both strengths and potential risks

• work with young people who are living at home and who are assessed as being at risk of homelessness

• support young people to maintain family relationships and remain at home where possible.

• assist young people who have left home to rebuild and re-establish supportive relationships with family where possible.

• provide support to the homelessness service system to engage the family in working with the young person.

• develop linkages with other services offering support to young people and their families around family issues.

• provide secondary consultation to other homelessness assistance services on family reconciliation issues.


There are currently 3 FRI workers based in the Leongatha SalvoCare Eastern Office, who have training in Mediation, Family Therapy, Applied Suicide Intervention, Social Welfare, Community Services, trauma and Early Year’s Development. Staff have a sound understanding of trauma and how this effects the development of young people and children and how to work with individuals and their families in moments of crisis. Young people and their families can receive Mediation, Counselling, Facilitated Conversations and Case Management Support including- support in accessing education, housing, Centrelink assistance, allied health services, independent living skills development etc.