Youth and Family supports families who are referred through Child FIRST and focus on building parenting skills that promote the ongoing safety, stability, wellbeing and development of your children. Youth and Family Support staff work with you and your children in a case management approach. They can also refer you to the right services and groups that will support the individual needs of your family.
For further information about parenting support services, please contact Customer Service on 8571 1000, or email council@cgd.vic.gov.au
For external support regarding After Hours Parenting, please refer to the list below.
Health Support
Maternal and Child Health Line
Phone: 13 22 29
Qualified Maternal and Child Health nurses provide information, support and advice to Victorian families with children from birth to school age (5 years old) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Nurse on Call
Phone: 1300 60 60 24
This telephone service provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Poisons Information Centre
Phone: 13 11 26
24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week advice on poisoning, bites and stings.
Breast Feeding Help Line
Phone: 1800 686 268
The Breastfeeding Helpline is available seven days a week. It is staffed by trained, volunteer counsellors who answer calls on a roster system in their own homes.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Beyondblue
Phone: 1300 224 636
Information and support about depression.
Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14
Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service. They are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support.
Parent Line
Phone: 13 22 89
This parenting telephone counselling service is available to parents and carers of children aged from birth to 18 years throughout Victoria. (The service does not provide legal or medical information). 8am-midnight, 7 days a week.
W.A.Y.S.S.
Phone: 9791 6111
Assists individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to improve their life circumstances by providing access to stable, affordable and safe accommodation.
Family Violence Support
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Phone: 8413 6800
Gives voice and provides culturally sensitive services, statewide, to meet the needs of women and children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds (CALD) backgrounds affected by domestic violence. The service operates Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Safe Steps
Phone: 9322 3555/1800 015 188
24 hour phone line service for women and children experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone close to them.
RESPECT1800RESPECT
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours)
Support for family violence and sexual assault.
Women’s Legal Service Victoria:
Phone: 8622 0600
Free legal services for disadvantaged women to address legal issues arising from relationship breakdown or violence.
Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
