Support Services

Bonnie’s Support Services is all about women and their children. We exist to assist women to live safely and make the most of life’s possibilities. Our support services are big and small because the barriers that stand in a woman’s way come in all sizes too.

We want to enable women to make informed choices, in their own time and according to their own beliefs. All women need to develop trusting and supportive relationships, self-management skills, independent living skills, accountability and healthy self-confidence.

Our team of highly trained female staff will identify individual needs and provide information, counselling, referrals, advocacy and other support. Your caseworker works with you to create a path to a better future life.

What do Bonnie’s team members do?

Community Workers:

The Community Worker will be your first point of contact at Bonnie’s. She can provide information about our services or can refer you on to other services that you need. If you require accommodation, she will get the information from you that we need to provide assistance. The Community Worker can talk to you about the services Bonnie’s provides and answer any questions you have when you are taking the first steps to get support.

Tenancy Workers:

Our Tenancy Workers can assist you with your housing needs. They have links to local Real Estate Agents and Housing NSW, and can help you to find the most appropriate housing for your needs and eligibility, and advise you about social housing assistance that may be available to you.

Family Workers:

A Family Worker will work with you to develop a case plan to help you to achieve your goals. If you are living in domestic violence she can help you to work out a safety plan. She can assist you in dealing with the police and the legal system, developing living skills to maintain your tenancy, provide advice and support, link you up to a counsellor, health services, parenting and other groups. The Family Worker can advocate on your behalf and refer you to other services you require. She will work with you and our Child Support Worker to assist your children if that is needed.

Child Support Workers:

A Child Support Worker can work with you and your child alongside a Family Worker to provide support your child/ren may require. She can assist you with parenting issues you might have and can provide assistance to refer your children to other services that they need, such as schools, childcare or health services.

 Our goal is to support and inspire young people through mentorship, workshops and casework. At Bonnie’s we engage young people through activities; provide a fun, safe and creative space; run creative and developmental workshops; and foster responsible and cooperative behaviour in the young people. 

What’s case management?

Your Family Worker will help you identify goals for yourself and/or your family through a holistic assessment and then she makes a plan to help you reach them. This is called your case plan. If you agree, Bonnie’s co-ordinates and manages the plan with you, accessing all relevant health and community support options.

You and the Family Worker will regularly review your plan. We use a strengths based perspective that emphasises the individual’s abilities and potential.

Our key responsibility is to ensure that you feel valued and respected, and that your independence and self-determination is nurtured.

Our Outreach Services

If you live in the community and not in Bonnie’s accommodation, you can still access our support workers. This is called our Outreach Service. Some of our clients may have moved on from our accommodation services but continue to need ongoing support.

Outreach work gives practical and emotional support to women with children, who are experiencing or escaping domestic violence, or are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This support varies from individual to individual but may include support regarding tenancy, legal, community housing, life skills and immigration. Referrals to community support networks and local services are also provided.

Supporting women from diverse backgrounds

Our team of bilingual workers can speak English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Serbian, Greek and Arabic fluently. We have the means to connect clients with interpreters at all times. Every year, Bonnie’s welcomes women from all different backgrounds.