Resume

Annette Smith has over 30 years' experience in Child and Family Work. She is a Social Worker who is an accredited Family Group Conference Trainer and Facilitator, Mediator and Family Therapist.

She has worked in Canada as a Family Therapist for Child and Family Service and more recently for FACS as Director Community Services for The Western and Hunter Districts. She is currently working as Director “Children Need a Happy Home” delivering training, coaching and completing Conferences.

Annette promotes active engagement, collaboration, and a critically reflective and culturally responsive practice with a respect for social context and difference. She has spoken at various Conferences about FGC and continues to attend and contribute to international Conferences the last being the International Conference on Innovations in Family Engagement in Vail USA 2017.

Annette has a strong interest and experience in working with Aboriginal children and their extended family networks, ensuring that their voices are heard and included. She also has a passionate commitment to Family Group Conferencing and Family Decision Making Models. She believes that the family group is an expert in itself and that each family group is unique. Annette welcomes the shift towards primary prevention, greater engagement and active involvement of fathers, paternal family members, and/or significant males.