Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS) is governed by a community based Board of Management. The Board comprises a wide range of people from various backgrounds and has a wealth of community work and welfare experience that enhances the governance and operations of the Organisation. The Board also has positions for target group representation.

SYFS Board

Jenny Thompson - President

Jenny has many years of experience working in human service delivery including Community services, the Hospital system and Family Planning.  Jenny taught at TAFE in the Welfare area for many years until becoming the Faculty Dean of Human Services, Tourism and Hospitality at TAFE NSW Illawara. Jenny currently works with Wollongong City Council as the Manager, Community Cultural and Library Services.

The current Board is made up of individuals who bring a wide range of expertise and experiences. There is many years of skilled and effective community management between the Board Members. Areas of expertise include:

  • Child protection
  • Health including family planning, nursing, mental health and drug and alcohol interventions including counselling
  • Education, training, vocational assessment
  • Social housing, tenancy support
  • Family support
  • Out of Home care, foster care
  • Income security, Centrelink systems
  • Supported accommodation
  • Community service management
  • Data collection, evaluation
  • Disability services
  • Behaviour management
  • Agency management, administration, program design and development
  • Financial management, investment
  • Human resource management
  • Advocacy, community development, lobbying, policy development
  • Justice, criminal justice system, juvenile justice
  • Indigenous affairs and culture
  • Building, development and planning
  • Early intervention

The Board also has positions for target group representation in which there are currently two Youth Representatives