December 05, 2023
Coral Tree Family Service
Australia’s only dedicated family service facility that combines specialised support for children aged 3-12 with a serene natural setting, empowering parents to foster emotional wellbeing and create lasting positive change within their families.
Our goal
$50,000
Raised
$23,420
To go
$26,580
A unique service to facilitate positive change for children and their families
The modern world is becoming an increasingly difficult place to be a child. Significant societal and lifestyle changes have increased the number of stressors that children are exposed to on a daily basis, which in turn places a burden on the wellbeing of the family unit.
Any child struggling with protracted social, emotional and behavioural difficulties needs to have access to specialised support. Parents who only ever want the best for their children are often left fraught with worry when they don’t know how to handle an unhappy family or where to get the support they need.
Coral Tree, the only service of its kind in Australia, is a truly unique family service facility that provides state-wide coverage to families with children aged between three and 12 years of age in need of dedicated support. By combining a range of recreational facilities with a tranquil natural setting, Coral Tree is a soothing environment for both families and children alike.
All of the training, evaluations, and interventions carried out at Coral Tree are guided by a desire to educate and empower parents to make positive change and find solutions to create a happier sand safer home. We recognise their roles as primary caregivers and stand alongside them during their journey as we equip them with the tools necessary to support their child’s emotional wellbeing and create a happier home in the years to come.
How we support families
Coral Tree recognises the importance of providing a diverse range of programs that cater to the varied needs of their visiting families and children.
Family Residential Program: Both the child and their family will relocate to Coral Tree for a four-night stay in the facility. This program is characterised by a series of sessions that require the entire family to be involved in addressing family goals. The family participating as a collective entity ensures that the child never feels isolated at any stage of the intervention.
Clinical School Program: Thanks to our partnership with the co-located Arndell School, this program allows families to temporarily place their child in a special purpose school. It provides a nurturing environment for children with a recovery-oriented learning experience in a specialised setting.
Day Attendance Program: This is our shortest intervention, where a day of intense sessions seek to bring about positive change to your child’s wellbeing. It’s a dynamic program where the attending family collaborates with staff to work through a series of challenges.
Case Consultation Program: A program whereby NSW health professionals can share ideas, thoughts, and insights with families experiencing a particularly challenging case. This combination of experience and expertise will allow families to explore all suitable possibilities for their children.
Let’s Work Together Program: This initiative enables clinicians who are located in rural and regional NSW to support families across the country. Through the use of video conferencing software, these clinicians can schedule regular meetings with families and offer their advice on how to assist their children through a period of emotional turbulence.
“We have restored hope and a new way forward. This model does work. I will always be eternally grateful and it has changed our lives.”
Our impact
+
families have accessed services provided by Coral Tree since 1999
%
of referred children are affected by parental mental health struggles (COPMI)
%
of families come from rural or regional NSW
How our work helps children
Our mission is to transform the lives of children facing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Through our dedicated services, we aim to provide a nurturing environment that fosters growth, healing, and resilience in young individuals.
Our work is pivotal in helping them navigate their difficulties, offering them a pathway towards a more positive and stable future.
These are the key ways in which a visit to Coral Tree can empower a child.
- Helps develop coping skills for social and emotional challenges.
- Enhances social interactions and behavioural responses.
- Fosters a strong sense of self and improved self-esteem.
- Provides strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
- Encourages positive family dynamics and stronger relationships.
- Offers access to tailored, evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
SUPPORT CORAL TREE FAMILY SERVICE
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Help Coral Tree in the years to come
Coral Tree is a state-of-the-art facility providing essential support and intervention services to families across NSW. In times of stress and uncertainty, parents can rely on expert professionals for guidance and training. Every visit to the facility is free of charge, ensuring all families, regardless of financial circumstances, can access the care they need.
The facility thrives on the generous support of the community, enabling unparalleled care for children facing social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Coral Tree is committed to delivering the highest quality services without compromise, with therapeutic interventions backed by a skilled team of specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health nurses.
With ambitious plans to expand, Coral Tree aims to create an even better environment for healing and growth. Enhanced facilities, more spaces, and additional resources will empower the team to provide even more effective interventions. The dedicated staff, deeply moved by the transformative impact they’ve witnessed, remain committed to creating positive change.
With the continued support and generosity of the community, Coral Tree can continue making a profound difference in the lives of children and families across the state.
Meet the team
Cathryn McElroy
Service Manager
About Cathryn
Cath is a Registered Nurse who has enjoyed various roles in her 22 years at Coral Tree. Cath feels especially privileged to be managing an amazing team of dedicated and passionate professionals who are constantly exploring innovative ways to improve Coral Tree to support children and their families.
Matthew Symond
Clinical Lead
About Matthew
Matt is a Senior Clinical Psychologist, and has worked at Coral Tree for over 16 years. Matt oversees referrals, assessment and service provision. He is proud of the work Coral Tree does in supporting whole families, by empowering parents and carers to find new ways to relate to their children.
Tania Leung
Medical Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
About Tania
Tania is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who has been with the service for over 10 years. In her capacity as a Psychiatrist, she supports the team in the provision of Psychiatry input to the children and families who engage in the various programs offered in Coral Tree.
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