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Family support
There are many ways you can seek support for you and your family.
You can also find an amazing network of support and fun activities for your child by joining a supported playgroup.
Services available
The Early Years Outreach Worker provides support to families to access Early Childhood Education services for children aged zero to five years, who live in the city of Port Phillip, and are experiencing challenges. This can include:
- Finding the right children’s service
- Registering children on the waitlist
- Assistance on how to make a childcare subsidy claim
- Accompany families for orientation
The Early Years Outreach Worker is also available to Community Services Organisations and Children's Services in the City of Port Phillip by providing secondary consults. The aim of these consults is to minimise barriers for children to access early education and care.
How do I make a referral?
Anyone can refer to the program and the Early Years Outreach Worker can provide advice and support on topics such as:
- Identifying Early Childhood Education Services
- Registration to Early Childhood Education Services
- High priority referrals for eligible families
- Orientation to children's services
- Child Care Subsidy Claims
- Access to City of Port Phillip Early Education Grant.
The Early Education Grant aims to improve access to Early Education and Care Services for vulnerable children who are enrolled Early Education and Care Services by funding any out-of-pocket expenses for the family.
The Early Years Outreach Worker can provide brief support to families to access and engage with children's services in the City of Port Phillip.
Appointments can be made directly with an Early Years Outreach worker on 0466 954 111.
What happens when I contact an Early Years Outreach Worker?
You will speak with the worker to discuss your needs and how we can best support your family, and may be offered an appointment time.
What if I don't live, work, or play in the City of Port Phillip?
The Early Years Outreach Worker will assist you to find your local support service.
Early Years Outreach Program Referral
The Family Support Service delivers case management parenting support for families via the Integrated Family Services (IFS) program. This program matches families with children zero to 17 years with an experienced Family Support Worker.
Family Support Workers can work with families for approximately three to six months on family goals, and are guided at all times by the best interests of children.
What assistance is available?
Eligible families may be allocated a support worker to assist with:
- Parenting advice
- Community connection
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Child Protection involvement (current or history of)
- Family Violence
- Mental Health
- Sexual Assault
- Legal issues
- Disability (intellectual or physical).
How do I make a referral?
Anyone can refer to the IFS via the support and safety hub, The Orange Door.
The Orange Door is set-up to provide family violence and parenting support.
Contact the Orange Door on 1800 319 353 Monday to Friday 9am to 5 pm (excluding public holidays).
What happens when I contact the Orange Door?
You will speak with a worker to discuss your needs and how we can best support your family.
What if I don't live in the City of Port Phillip?
The Orange Door will assist you to find your local support service.
Family Workers provide generalist family advice, referrals and support to families with children aged zero to eight years who live, work or play in the City of Port Phillip.
How do I make a referral?
Anyone can refer families to the program.
Complete the online referral form
Appointments can be made directly with a Family Worker on 0434 685 032 and 0481 616 885.
What happens when I contact a Lead Family Worker?
You will speak with the Worker to discuss your needs and how we can best support your family, and may be offered an appointment time.
A Lead Family Worker can provide advice on topics such as:
- Community connectedness
- Family violence
- Emotional support
- Parenting strategies
- General mental health
The Lead Family Workers can offer one-to-one sessions with families, with up to five sessions over a three-month period.
What if I don't live, work or play in the City of Port Phillip?
The Lead Family Workers will assist you to find your local support service.
Australian Government Services Australia
Helping deliver social and health-related payments and services through Medicare, Centrelink, Child Support and Australian Hearing.
Services Australia is also Designed to assist families in accessing affordable child care.
Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET)
DET offers learning and development support, services and resources for all Victorians, from birth through to adulthood.
Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS)
DSS contributes to stronger families by helping families to participate in the social and economic life of the community through the provision of support for child care services.
Family Violence
Information and resources for families experiencing violence.
Safe Steps
Victoria's 24/7 family violence support service.
Phone: 1800 015 188
Lifeline
Confidential 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.
Phone: 13 11 14
Parentline
Confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.
Phone: 13 22 89
Maternal and Child Health Line
Get extra support 24/7 from a qualified maternal and child health nurse.
Phone: 13 22 29
Kids Helpline
Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged five to 25.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, is an online self-paced parenting program with the aim to increase parenting confidence and skills to build good relationships, set boundaries and rules calmly in ways that kids understand, and follow up with consequences that are not harmful.
The delivery of the program is supported by funding from the Australian Government and is complimentary to all parents and carers in Victoria.