Why this work matters
Every woman leaving prison deserves access to safe housing, meaningful support and the opportunity to rebuild her life.
Yet, too often, women leaving incarceration face significant barriers to accessing homelessness services and other support when they need it most.
Through consultation with Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) across NSW, organisations told us they wanted practical guidance to better support women leaving incarceration. In response, WAGEC developed the Walk With Her Framework.
Who is the framework
for?
The Walk With Her Framework is for organisations and practitioners working alongside women as they leave incarceration and rebuild their lives, including:
- Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS)
- Domestic and family violence services
- Community organisations
- Housing providers
- Corrective and post-release services
- Practitioners and case workers
- Students and educators
Whether you’re already supporting women leaving prison or looking to build your team’s confidence, the framework offers practical guidance you can apply in your everyday work.
What we've learnt
Through our specialist program From Now, WAGEC has spent years walking alongside women leaving incarceration. We’ve seen firsthand the barriers women face as they rebuild their lives – from finding safe housing and reconnecting with children to navigating complex systems and rebuilding trust.
We’ve also seen what works.
When women are met with trust, dignity and respect instead of judgement, they’re more likely to engage with support, build stability and create positive futures for themselves and their families.
The Walk With Her Framework translates those insights into practical tools and guidance organisations can use to better support women leaving incarceration.
"Women leaving prison don't need to be 'fixed' - they need to be understood.
We’ve seen how powerful it can be when services take the time to build trust, listen without judgement and walk alongside women as they rebuild their lives. The Walk With Her Framework is about sharing that learning, so more organisations feel confident supporting these women when it matters most.”
How the framework works
The Walk With Her Framework encourages us as practitioners to first understand where we're walking from, before walking alongside women as they navigate the landscape ahead.
Where I'm Walking From
Reflect on the experiences, assumptions and beliefs you bring to your work.
How I Walk With Her
Build trust through relationships, curiosity and recognising women as experts in their own lives.
The Landscape We Walk In
Better understand the systems, barriers and experiences shaping women's lives before, during and after incarceration.
Pathways to work and education
Participants can explore employment and study options, career planning support, workshops, and scholarships to help them achieve their goals.
The evidence behind the framework
Put the framework into practice
To access the full Walk With Her toolkit, click the resources button below. If you have any questions or need support using the resources, get in touch with our team.
Walk With Her Practice Toolkit
Walk With Her Experience Compass Board
Walk With Her Practice Cards
Workshops and implementation to support you
Looking to embed the framework across your organisation? Want to build your team’s confidence and capability in supporting women leaving incarceration?
We work alongside organisations to introduce the framework, build confidence and support implementation through workshops, presentations and tailored support.
Questions about theWalk With Her Framework
The Walk With Her Framework is a resource for organisations and practitioners.
If you’re looking for support, learn more about From Now or contact WAGEC to discuss referral pathways.
Walk With Her Framework
beyond violence.
