Category: News

‘I needed to continue my life after leaving my husband and be able to talk to other women from domestic violence situations. I needed to be happy again.’ – Participant, Learn to Live Again*

Barnardos Learn to Live Again, supports women and their children who have experienced domestic and family violence (DFV). The program focuses on building social connections, supporting healing, and strengthening families. By helping women and children find safety, they feel empowered to rebuild their lives with confidence and support.

Barnardos Learn to Live Again plays an important role in recovery, particularly through the power of shared experience. Participants consistently highlight how hearing the experiences of other victim-survivors creates insight and understanding:

“to hear some of the stuff that they had been through, even though I had gone through almost the same, for some things in particular, hearing it come from somebody else, gives you a different kind of empathy to reflect on yourself.” – Participant 1 (online)*

Through the sessions provided, women can relax, reflect, and process their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Building connections and knowing they aren’t alone can be just as important as practical support.

DFV often leaves victim-survivors’ with diminished self-esteem, making self-reflection and recovery challenging. With time, patience, and skilled support, women can begin to shift their thinking:

“. . .it really helps when you’re stuck in a mindset, and someone will say something or bring it out in a different way and change the way you think about it” – Participant 3*

Strengthening self-esteem not only benefits the mothers themselves but also supports them in being the parents they want to be.

Barnardos walks alongside women as they rebuild confidence, recongise their resilience and strengthen their relationships with their children. We couldn’t be prouder of our teams delivering this vital service.

*Learn to Live Again: A Pilot Study to Support Women Experiencing Domestic Violence, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2025

Because of you, more children have been kept safe, and more families have been supported through challenging times. Your generosity has helped us deliver early intervention and prevention programs, support carers and families, as well as advocate for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Whether you attended an event, shared our message, volunteered your time or contributed financially, you played an important role in creating positive change and we are so grateful. Together, lets continue to create safer environments, stronger families and brighter futures.

Thank you.

We are thrilled to announce the release of Barnardos Annual Review 2024-2025.

For over 100 years, we’ve listened, acted and advocated for children’s safety. This year, we chose to be Fearlessly Optimistic.

Launched last night at our AGM, the Annual Review reflects this mission, sharing stories from our partners, supporters, team members and most importantly, the children and families we stand alongside every day.

With rising demands our work has never been more necessary. But together, we can create a brighter future for all children 💚

Download a copy today

The Board of Barnardos Australia (Barnardos) today announces the appointment of Dr Kate Alexander as the new CEO to lead the organisation in its next phase of delivery for children.

“On behalf of the Board of Barnardos, I am pleased to announce our new CEO, Dr Kate Alexander” said Ms Liesel Wett OAM, Chair of Barnardos.

“Kate brings to Barnardos strong experience in child protection and human services, with over 30 years’ experience in executive leadership, as well as direct service delivery and advocacy. She has been an Executive Director with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, and led significant reform across the sector, always looking for better outcomes for children and young people,” said Ms Wett.

“We are confident she will build on our emphasis on child-centred, evidence-based practices, adding robust strategic insight. She has a strong track record in child protection, people-first leadership, and a deep commitment to providing access to essential services and support for vulnerable children, young people and families, so that they can thrive,” Ms Wett said.

Dr Alexander’s career highlights include establishing the NSW Office of the Senior Practitioner, which included Child Quality Assurance, the Aboriginal Culture in Practice Unit, Psychological and Clinical Services, Disability Support and Advocacy, and Practice Support units. In addition to this, Kate has supported child protection work for other Australian states and territories. This includes her review, Trust in Culture, of the South Australian system in 2022.

Kate has a PhD from Melbourne University, where her research investigated the attitudes of the child protection workforce toward domestic violence, and in 2019, was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to family and community services in NSW.

“I am delighted to accept the role as CEO of Barnardos Australia and look forward to leading the organisation into the next stage of important work with children, young people and families, building on the successes Barnardos has delivered to date, and will face head on the challenges we will face in the future,” Kate said.

“I am excited to continue the work led by Deirdre Cheers over the past ten years, in ensuring children have safe and secure homes. Barnardos has a strong reputation when it comes to service provision and care of children, and I am pleased to work with the leadership of the organisation and employees to develop the strategic direction for Barnardo’s future. I am also eager to work collaboratively with both NSW and ACT and in fact all governments in supporting them to achieve their plans in the future for children,” she said.

“The Barnardos Board is thrilled Kate is joining us as CEO and is confident she will continue to strengthen our mission to ensure that every child that needs care right across our nation can reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment. We look forward to working with Kate when she joins us in the new year to advance the critical work done through the organisation with children, young people and families in need,” said Ms Wett.

Ms Liesel Wett OAM
Chair
Barnardos Australia