Family Support Services

The Southside Initiative is a collaboration between:

  • YWCA Canberra
  • Woden Community Service
  • Communities at Work
  • Community Services #1

The Initiative was developed in late 2022 in response to the 2021 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data which suggests there is an increasing number of Canberra children being identified as developmentally vulnerable across the 5 AEDC Domains. The Southside Initiative will focus on the southern suburbs of Canberra including the Tuggeranong region. The Southside Initiative aims to develop community driven solutions to better support vulnerable children 0-8 years and their families. This Initiative uses a collaborative and community focused approach to develop and trial practical activities and initiatives aimed at improving life outcomes for children and families. 

We have compiled this directory of Family Support Services. Please share this page with your networks including schools, early childhood centres, community organisations and of course families who you believe will benefit the most.

*Please note this list may not be 100% accurate so please follow up directly with the organisation for more information. 

Woden Community Service

Program Details Cost More information
Family Case Management

Our Family Case Management team provides support to families who are experiencing challenges and need some additional assistance. 

Nil
Loose Parts Playgroup

Loose Parts Playgroup is a great early learning and play opportunity for kids. Throughout the term kids will engage in unstructured play, while parents have an opportunity to connect with each other and a range of services, including health and early learning professionals.

  • Day / Time: Monday
  • Duration: 9:30-11:30
  • Location: Westfield Woden
Nil
Onelink

OneLink provides information and connections for support services in the ACT, including services for families and young people, and services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Nil

Capital Region Community Services

Program Details Cost More information
Family Support

Case management support

Nil
Family Foundations

Early intervention therapeutic program for families with children 0-5 years of age.

Nil
Healthy Habits

Supporting parents to develop healthy habits for children 0-2 years of age.

Nil
Loose Parts Playgroup

Loose Parts Playgroups are a great early learning and play opportunity for Canberra kids. Throughout the term kids will engage in unstructured play, while parents have an opportunity to connect with each other and a range of services, including health and early learning professionals.

  • Day / Time: Tuesday
  • Duration: 9:30 -11:30
  • Location: Westfield Belconnen
Nil

Barnardos

Program Details Cost More information
Family Case Management

We provide family case management support to families across the ACT who are experiencing difficulties and requiring support.

Nil
Child / Youth Mentoring

There are two mentoring options available depending on the identified needs of the child/young person - 'Kids Friends' (friendship mentoring) and 'Tutoring' (educational mentoring).

Nil
Kids in Focus

Provide family case management support to families across the ACT who are experiencing difficulties and requiring support.

Nil

Uniting Care Kippax

Program Details Cost More information
Family Case Management

Supporting families and individuals in the wider Belconnen and Gungahlin regions.

  • Location: Belconnen and Gungahlin
Nil
Parenting Engagement Program

Learn new parenting skills in the home.

Nil
Hippy

Home interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters - free two year program.

  • Location: Kippax
Nil
The Mower Shed

The Mower Shed provides employment, job readiness training and mentoring. Since 2016, we have played a valuable role in transitioning over 85% of our casual staff onto other employment pathways and training.

Nil

Canberra PCYC

Program Details Cost More information
Community Services Program

Canberra PCYC is committed to ensuring that young people and their families build positive futures. Our evidence-based programs utilise hands-on, high adrenaline activities, education, vocational, and social skills training to divert young people from the justice system.

YWCA Canberra

Program Details Cost More information
Warm Connections Counselling

Warm Connections Counselling provides individual therapeutic support to parents/carers of children/adolescents aged zero to 15 years. We also offer individual counselling to children/adolescents aged nine to 15 years.

Nil
Healthy Start in the Suburbs

YWCA Canberra has partnered up with GymbaROO Canberra to offer an outreach program in the Lanyon and Molonglo Valley. This is a closed program suitable for families that reside in the region and meet the eligibility criteria.

  • Location: Conder & Coombs
Nil

EACH

Program Details Cost More information
Early Childhood Approach: Resources for Families and Communities.

The Early Childhood Approach service helps families with children aged 0 - 8 with assistance, advice and access to support in your local community.

Nil
"Ask EACH" Drop-in Sessions

EACH is the NDIS Partner in the Community delivering the Early Childhood Approach in the ACT. Every Friday we hold a drop-in session where you can "Ask EACH" any questions you may have about your child's NDIS plan.

  • Day / Time: Friday
  • Duration: 2pm-4pm
  • Location: Unit 1 of 57 Eyre St Kingston ACT
Nil
Early Childhood Approach Facebook Group

This is a Facebook group where families can access news, activities and resources.

  • Location: Facebook
Chat with an Early Years Specialist

Drop in and chat with an EACH Early Years Specialist if you have any concerns about your child's (0-8) development needs or NDIS plan. Drop in or call to make a booking.

  • Day / Time: 9am -12pm
  • Duration: Second Thursday of each Month
  • Location: Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre
Nil

Community Services Directorate

Program Details Cost More information
Gungahlin Child and Family Centre

Parents and carers can visit their local Child and Family Centre to chat with a trained professional about parenting, ask questions and get information. This can lead to ongoing, one-to-one support with Child and Family Workers.

  • Location: 51 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin
Nil
Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre

Parents and carers can visit their local Child and Family Centre to chat with a trained professional about parenting, ask questions and get information. This can lead to ongoing, one-to-one support with Child and Family Workers.

  • Location: 159 Anketell St, Greenway.
Nil
West Belconnen Child and Family Centre

Parents and carers can visit their local Child and Family Centre to chat with a trained professional about parenting, ask questions and get information. This can lead to ongoing, one-to-one support with Child and Family Workers.

  • Location: 6 Luke St, Holt (Kippax).
Nil
Child Development Service

The Child Development Service offers assessment, referral, information and linkages for children 0 to 6 years where there are concerns relating to their development and provides early intervention therapy services for children aged between 24 to 36 months with developmental vulnerabilities or delays” Any family in the ACT with concerns regarding their child’s development can contact the Child Development Service or attend a drop-in clinic and speak to an allied health professional.

Nil
Drop In Clinics

Attendance at a Drop In Clinic provides parents in the ACT with an opportunity to discuss issues about their child's development with a Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist. No appointment is necessary, head to Child Development Service website to find the timetable or a drop in near you.

Nil

Canberra Health Services

Program Details Cost More information
Early Parenting Support Line

The Early Parenting Support Line offers information and support on concerns with infant growth and development, parenting, breastfeeding, child nutrition, infant behaviours and emotional wellbeing.

Nil
Understanding Your Baby Info Sessions (MACH)

Online videos to help parents during the early stages of their baby's life.

Nil

ACT Playgroups

Program Details Cost More information
Find A Playgroup

ACT Playgroups are inclusive of all, regardless of gender, race, colour, or religion. We have evolved to provide a valuable service to our members, and our member benefits are reviewed regularly.

Nil

A Village For Every Child

Program Details Cost More information
Belconnen Child and Family Program and Service Directory

The Directory was developed in response to feedback from schools, ECEC’s and service providers who spoke to the challenge of finding services and programs to refer children and families to. This Directory can assist families across Canberra- not just Belconnen.

Nil
Child Development Poster

A poster for parents and carers about developmental milestones and development checks referring to the Blue Book. It was developed with University of Canberra, Australian Early Development Census and CHS and formally approved by Canberra Health Service and ACT Health.

Nil

Marymead Catholic Care

Program Details Cost More information
Family Support

Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn have been providing services to couples and families for over 25 years. We provide an extensive range of family support programs from outreach services, family counselling and mediation, domestic violence support, case management, relationship education to parenting groups.

FFS

Parentline ACT

Program Details Cost More information
Telephone and face to face counselling and education.

Telephone and face to face counselling and education.

Nil

Raising Children Network

Program Details Cost More information
The Australian Parenting Website

This website provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.

ENVISAGE

Program Details Cost More information
Envisage - Families In Person.

A free program that empowers, supports, and connects parents and anyone in a caregiving role raising a child and/or children aged 0-8 years with a disability or developmental concerns. They also offer free workshops.

  • Location: Woden
Nil

ACT Government

Program Details Cost More information
Cost Of Living Support For Parents

Families can find out what support they can get to help with the costs of raising children. Including support for Education, Energy Bills, Transport, Health Care, Parenting and Child Development, Australian Government Support and other cost of living support.

Triple P Positive Parenting Program

Program Details Cost More information
Free Parenting Courses

Time flies, make every parenting moment count. Proven, positive tips that can help every family. You can support your child’s development, grow closer and solve problems – positively. There are many simple strategies you can start using right now, to make every moment count!

  • Day / Time: Anytime
  • Location: Online
Nil

Australian Red Cross

Program Details Cost More information
Drop In Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre.

Dealing with Child and Youth Protection Services? Are you trying to make sense of what's happening? Red Cross can help. Drop in or book a time to chat at Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre in Conder.

  • Day / Time: Last Thursday of the Month
  • Duration: 9am -12 midday
  • Location: Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre
Nil

THRIVARY

Program Details Cost More information
Help Your Child Thrive App

Your trusted source for evidence-based information and resources on early childhood development. Our expertise lies in assisting parents, families, and caregivers of children aged 0-8 years who may have disabilities, developmental delays, or concerns. We are dedicated to providing the right information and fostering a supportive community to guide your child’s developmental journey.

  • Location: Android and iPhone
Nil

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