Who we are

Daniel Spain

Daniel is a Australian Army veteran and social worker who lives on the Fraser Coast QLD.

Daniel has formerly worked as a compensation advocate on the Fraser Coast. Daniel founded an ex-service organisation that supported the veteran community which was funded by DVA.

Daniel graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) in 2020. He has been employed as a Social Worker for Queensland Health on the Fraser Coast since 2020. Daniel resigned from permanent employment with Queensland Health in October 2024 to commence private practice.

Daniel has special interest in working alongside members of the veteran and ex-service community by understanding the challenges they face, addressing their practical and emotional needs and optimising wellbeing.

Jess Spain

Jess is a social worker and is married to Daniel.

Jess is a current PhD student studying females experiences with endometriosis in the healthcare system. Jess also works sessionally as a university tutor and research assistant. Jess’ PhD research emphasises the importance of lived experience, and Jess implements this in her practice. Jess has a special interest in women’s health and working with older people.

Jess has previously worked in a seniors legal context, assisting older and vulnerable people with social support and navigating the My Aged Care system.

Jess has also volunteered in the veteran community and has strong connections with veterans and their families in the region.

What we do


Our services include, but are not limited to:

  • Advanced care planning

  • Support accessing Veterans’ Home Care and My Aged Care

  • Support transitioning to residential aged care facilities

  • General Counselling

  • Family Counselling

  • Vocational and employment counselling or rehabilitation

  • Case Management, advocacy and service co-ordination

  • Education

  • Discharge planning*

  • Accommodation support and navigation

  • Navigating the emotional and psychosocial impacts of chronic disease

How do I get support?

  • Ask your general practitioner for a referral to Veteran Matters.

  • Alternatively, a medical specialist, by a Health Professional as part of a Hospital Discharge or Open Arms* can generate a referral to Veteran Matters.

    *Note - Veteran Matters is not an Open Arms outreach program counselling provider.

  • An initial referral provides up to 12 sessions, or 1 year of support (whichever comes earlier). After this time additional sessions can be obtained by receiving a new referral to Veteran Matters.

    For Health Professionals mentioned above Click here for DVA D905 referral form

What is social work?

Social workers are degree-qualified allied health professionals who must complete a four year Bachelor’s degree or a two year Master’s degree in Social Work. Social work education encompasses a combination of theory based education and rigorous field placements.

Social work focuses on how a persons environment impacts their life. Social workers aim to walk alongside clients and assist them in navigating complexities, address personal difficulties and structural barriers in their lives. They work with individuals, families, groups and communities.

Social workers often practice across a range of fields; from health, mental health, counselling, domestic and family violence, child and youth work, aged care, legal settings, and policy.

Many social workers also work in non-people-facing roles, either as an employee or consultants in government or community organisations.

Social workers celebrate differences and the social work role itself is incredibly diverse. Social workers may support people through:

  • one-on-one counselling: working directly with individuals

  • group work: including health promotion groups, groups aimed at reducing social isolation, shared experiences groups (on topics such as managing addictions, bereavement or sexual assault) and age specific inclusivity groups such as older persons or adolescence groups

  • community development: implementing programs focused on community wellbeing through targeted and enhanced engagement, for example health promotion activities or specific age cohort activities

  • advocacy: including with, and on behalf of people experiencing family violence, housing stress, financial and legal issues

  • policy: developing evidence-based policies to inform government legislation, social work practice and government/community services

 

Social workers support people with issues relating to:

  • addiction

  • gambling

  • alcohol and other drugs

  • poverty

  • homelessness or housing stress

  • mental wellbeing and illness

  • domestic and family violence

  • physical health and disabilities

  • social injustice and discrimination

  • child and family

  • trauma

  • legal

  • relationships

  • self-determination and fulfillment

 

Social workers can provide or connect people with individual or group counselling. They can help them navigate and access information, advice and support services and will advocate on their behalf. This could include preparing submissions and applications, attending court, writing support letters or referrals to health and community services.

*Adapted from Australian Association of Social Worker (AASW) 'What social workers do'

Social Work Services

Although Veteran Matters specialises in supporting veterans and ex-service community. We do accept referrals from other funding sources i.e. Home Care Package Providers. Veteran Matter can assist:

  • Adults manage their affairs, optimise their wellbeing and psychosocial functioning.

  • Advance Care Planning (Enduring Power of Attorney)

  • Capacity concerns and assistance

  • Transitioning to Residential Aged Care Facility

  • Service access and advocacy