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From 1 January 2021, Family Connect and Support (FCS) will be available to children and their families experiencing or at risk of experiencing vulnerability in NSW. Primarily FCS is a service for families with identified concerns that fall below the threshold of statutory child protection intervention. It includes a range of services, such as: comprehensive assessment, active outreach and short term case planning and coordination. FCS provides an entry point or connection into the service system for families who may be experiencing vulnerabilities or who are requiring some level of support before issues escalate.
A continuum of services is available for families to address current vulnerabilities, prevent escalation and foster a protective and nurturing environment. A list of services, support and information about DCJ funded programs for families is available here: Programs, Services and Support for Families.
Parent Line is a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW.
Specialist homelessness services provide support to people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. They offer a range of interventions including accommodation, case management, advocacy and living skills development. See homelessness programs for more information on services across NSW.
Advocacy and representative organisations provide an avenue for certain groups in the community to have their views and opinions heard in decisions that affect them. Some groups focus on individual advocacy, while others undertake peak body functions to represent the interests of their target communities at the systemic level. For example, Create Foundation is the national body representing the voices of children with an OOHC experience, and AbSec is the NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation.
All NSW government agencies are responsible for inclusive service provision as core business. Ensuring people with disability have access to all government services will contribute to effective systemic responses when multiple vulnerabilities are involved. Services which provide targeted support to children with a disability and their networks include:
A range of services, supports and DCJ funded programs available to Aboriginal families including websites and phone numbers are available at Services, support and programs for Aboriginal families.
Information, services and supports for families experiencing domestic and family violence. Key services include:
Supports and DCJ funded programs available to children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are available at support contacts for families with CALD backgrounds.
Settlement Services International (SSI) is a community-based not-for-profit organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, multicultural child and family support, disability support, and employment services in NSW. SSI offers culturally responsive training to support children and families, including:
Further information is available on the SSI website.
For mental health programs for children and young people, parents, adults and older people visit mental health services and support.
07 May 2024