Family, Youth & Children
Integrated Family and Children Centres
Council has a strategy to improve family and children services in the City or Port Phillip. Research shows that children and families benefit from well coordinated, integrated, flexible and universally available services especially families experiencing disadvantage or additional need. Integrated, multi disciplinary services also provide staff with additional professional support and career opportunities, increased safety and reduced isolation.
Integrated family and children’s centres bring together accessible and affordable care, education and health services for families with children aged 0-8 years. The centre will provide these services in a coordinated, flexible and creative way that benefits children and families, particularly those experiencing difficulties. The collaborative model ensures a consistent level of service to families using the various service types.
The integrated family and children’s services centres are one of the ways council is supporting and expanding accessible, quality children’s services in our city.
Improving family and children services
Family and children care and health services are scattered across the city, which can be confusing, and makes it difficult to navigate the services. To help fix this we are introducing integrated family and children’s centres which bring together accessible and affordable, care, education and health services for families with children aged 0-8 years.
The centres could offer:
- Maternal and Child health services
- Centre based care
- Playgroup spaces
- Multi purpose rooms
The Federal and State governments are contributing funds to deliver these centres for families.
Studies have shown awareness and responsiveness of community services are enhanced when the services are integrated. The centres are focused on the provision of integrated child care and early childhood services but also include family support services, parenting support, health services, community activities and education services.
The centres allow for ongoing monitoring by staff and families of children’s progress and wellbeing. The centre also provides a range of support programs and services, including parenting programs, information about services and facilities, and opportunities to meet other families.
Services are able to cater for families from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
St Kilda Family & Childrens Centre:
The new St Kilda Family and Children’s centre will provide up to 116 licensed children's services places - this is an increase of 63 new places on the current St.Kilda Children’s Centre.
Liardet Street Family and Children's Centre:
The new centre will provide maternal and child health services and spaces for playgroup, new parent groups and other community uses. There will be 135 licensed children's services places will be accommodated on site.
