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About SASS
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SASS’s specialist HSB Program offers a specialist, whole-of-family response that goes beyond therapy alone. Children and young people receive trauma-informed therapy delivered by SASS specialist clinicians, alongside dedicated, case managmenet and practical family support, provided by Mission Australia. We recognise that family stability is essential to safety. The PAST Program works closely with families to strengthen routines, boundaries, supervision, and support networks, helping to create safer, more stable home environments where lasting change can occur.
The PAST Program also provides active case coordination, working across family, school, and community settings to ensure supports are connected and families don’t fall through service gaps. This approach strengthens safety not only by addressing behaviour, but by shaping the environments around the child or young person.
Grounded in trauma-informed, compassionate, and non-judgemental practice, the PAST Program balances care with accountability, supporting young people to understand their behaviour, build empathy and responsibility, and develop safer ways of coping. By focusing on early intervention, prevention, and long-term change, the PAST Program reduces immediate risk and helps prevent future harm.
Research shows that early, compassionate intervention is one of the most effective ways to prevent future harm and break cycles of sexual violence. Responding early and without judgement promotes safer outcomes for children, families, and communities.
The PAST Program is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based practice that is compassionate, non-judgemental, and focused on safety, accountability, and healing.
SASS recognises HSB in children and young people often occur in the context of trauma or adversity. Our approach prioritises safety, healing, accountability, and long-term wellbeing, not blame or punishment. We respond with care and responsibility, supporting young people to understand their behaviour, develop empathy, and learn safer ways of coping, while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
We work alongside families, recognising their central role in creating safe and supportive environments. With the right support in place, we believe every young person has the capacity to grow, change, and build healthier relationships over time.
Children and young people are supported to:
Families are supported to:
PAST is not counselling alone. It combines specialist therapy with practical, ongoing family support, recognising that lasting change happens in everyday environments, not only in the therapy room. By working across family, school, and community contexts, PAST supports positive behaviour change while helping families create safer, more stable spaces where healing can occur.
The PAST Program supports children and young people under the age of 17 across all Tasmania.
If you’re a parent, carer, or family member and would like to talk about whether PAST is right for your child or family, you can contact us at pastprogram@sass.org.au to discuss support options. Professionals can make a referral to the PAST Program using our online referral form. If you’re unsure whether a referral is appropriate, we encourage you to get in touch to talk it through.
SASS also delivers trauma-informed training to support safe, informed responses to HSB in children and young people. Training explores how to recognise and respond to HSB through a trauma-informed lens, key strategies for prevention and intervention, and practical tools to foster safe and supportive environments. This training is suitable for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals working with children and young people.
Contact us to find out more about upcoming free Keeping Kids Safe training, or to discuss how tailored training, executive consultation, or debriefing support could benefit your organisation. You can get in touch by emailing us via the Contact Us button below, or explore upcoming planned training using the Current Training button.
