We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to enhancing relationships within families and their communities in order to foster personal and social wellbeing.
We are committed to building our support for families who are in greatest need, facing complex issues and have limited access to resources and services.
"The Story of a Nation" DVD outlines our history.
Our vision is of a harmonious and inclusive society which promotes and supports respectful and resilient relationships for families and their communities.
Our work directly enables people to make positive choices with regard to their relationships and life situations, to strengthen relationships within their families and communities, and to manage conflict and change.
The core of our work centres on family relationships. This involves working with individual family members, couples and family groups. We provide services which respect difference and are socially inclusive, recognising that individuals’ backgrounds, values, family circumstances and connections are very diverse. These services draw on expertise in counselling, mediation and dispute resolution, relationship education, and information and referral.
More broadly, RA NSW works to strengthen community connections which sustain positive relationships. We also advance knowledge and professional practice through accredited education programs and research. Our endeavours are supported by strong collaboration within the national Relationships Australia network and with other partners.
Relationship wellbeing is at the very heart of a cohesive and productive society. There are many factors in the environment that challenge that wellbeing, and great social and economic costs when relationships are put under pressure or break down. We believe that active relationship support is vital – both to foster healthy and resilient relationships and to offer support at critical stress points.
Central to our work is a commitment to:
» Respect and Inclusiveness
We work with compassion, showing regard for individuals’ rights and views, including those of children and young people. We embrace and value diversity of cultures, backgrounds and family structures.
» Pursuing excellence
We value and pursue excellence in our professional practice, our relationships and how the organisation operates. Our staff are encouraged to set high standards and use the learning from their work to improve and innovate.
» Valuing Staff
We strive to create a workplace that attracts highly skilled and motivated staff and nurtures their commitment, well-being and professional development.
» Integrity
We value being trustworthy, transparent, socially responsible and accountable in our endeavours and relationships.
Our services include:
• Counselling for individuals and couples;
• Family therapy – including child inclusive practice where appropriate;
• Family and relationship education and skills training;
• Services for children, adolescents, parents and grandparents;
• Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution, including specific services for separating families;
• Specialised Family Safety Programs
• Children’s Contact Services and a Parenting Orders Program
• Aftercare services for young people leaving care
• Support Services for Forgotten Australians (Wattle Place)
• Special programs for humanitarian entrants and
• Community building and community hubs
• Contributing to the development of Aboriginal Child and Family centres in regional locations
• Training for professionals at both vocational and Higher Education levels
We value our partnerships in the community and with other organisations across the state. Working collaboratively with a range of organisations we aim to develop the best programs appropriate to the needs of our clients and communities. We are responsive to community needs, value diversity and work with groups in metropolitan, rural and regional locations.
Relationships Australia was established in 1948 to support Australian soldiers returning from World War II to manage the many changes that were happening at the time in their families.
In 1994 our name was changed to Relationships Australia to reflect the broader scope of our work and the changing needs and family choices of Australians.
Today Relationships Australia NSW has almost 400 staff in more than 30 locations across NSW. We are one of the largest secular organisations in Australia providing professional services to support relationships.
RA NSW is a company, limited by guarantee, is a registered charity and is governed by a Board elected annually from our membership.
We monitor and evaluate all of our programs through comprehensive quality assurance processes including offering opportunities for clients to provide feedback on our services. Professional supervision and on-going training are provided to all our professional staff to ensure a high quality of service.
To contact us please call 1300 364 277 and you will be connected to your local Relationships Australia service.