KWHB Family Support Services Team Wins 2026 FOCUS Award

We are delighted to announce that Katherine West Health Board (KWHB)’s Family
Support Services team has been awarded the 2026 Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY)
Aboriginal Corporation FOCUS Award for Excellence in Child Protection Initiatives in
Health.

Since 2021 KWHB has worked closely with community members to implement a
culturally grounded, health-focused Family Support Services model of care across
the very remote communities of Lajamanu, Kalkaringi, Timber Creek and Yarralin.
The model supports Aboriginal families at the earliest point of concern and
strengthens how child safety is embedded within primary health care.

A key innovation has been a health-centred referral approach, supporting KWHB
clinicians to act as trusted first responders. Through culturally safe, strengths-based
conversations, families are connected to social workers early when there are worries
around growing up children. With consent, social workers work alongside families to
strengthen natural supports, goal plan and connect with key services – including
health and education – with the aim of preventing statutory intervention.

The program also centres multidisciplinary case conferencing, with family
participation wherever possible, ensuring care is holistic and shared across services,
with a strong focus on keeping children safe at home, connected to family and
Country.

Strong partnerships with local community organisations and government
stakeholders, along with continued integration across maternal and child health
teams, have strengthened health and wellbeing outcomes for KWHB families.

This award recognises the leadership of our communities, strength of our
partnerships and dedication of our staff. Thank you to our Board and KWHB
community members for your leadership in building and supporting the growth of our
family services program, and congratulations to our deadly staff on the award.