We offer a range of support for children and their families across Yarra and can also put you in touch with other specialist service providers in the community.
Support for families
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Children with additional needs
In childcare and kindergarten
We welcome all children and believe they all have different abilities and skills. Our programs are developed to ensure inclusion for all.
We have strong connections with a range of support services and professionals who can support children with different abilities and disabilities, their families and educators.
If you would like more information about your child attending a children's services program call 9205 5555 and ask to speak with our children's services team. You may also like to talk with an educator in your local area or your maternal and child health nurse.
My child is starting a program?
If your child is starting in a program it is important for you to share as much information with the educators as possible to support your child's start in a program.
What support is available to me and my child?
Read about our Preschool Field Officer program
What other support is available for children with additional needs?
Inclusion support
Some children's programs may be eligible for Inclusion Support funding. Childcare, afterschool care and vacation care programs may be given access to the funding to support inclusion of children with additional needs.
The funding may provide resources or training that enable a child to attend a program, or support the recruitment of additional staff.
When you share information with the educators about your child's needs they will be able to tell you whether they will apply for additional funding and how this may be used.
We welcome all children and believe they all have different abilities and skills. Our programs are developed to ensure inclusion for all.
We have strong connections with a range of support services and professionals who can support children with different abilities and disabilities, their families and educators.
If you would like more information about your child attending a children's services program call 9205 5555 and ask to speak with our children's services team. You may also like to talk with an educator in your local area or your maternal and child health nurse.
My child is starting a program?
If your child is starting in a program it is important for you to share as much information with the educators as possible to support your child's start in a program.
What support is available to me and my child?
Read about our Preschool Field Officer program
What other support is available for children with additional needs?
Inclusion support
Some children's programs may be eligible for Inclusion Support funding. Childcare, afterschool care and vacation care programs may be given access to the funding to support inclusion of children with additional needs.
The funding may provide resources or training that enable a child to attend a program, or support the recruitment of additional staff.
When you share information with the educators about your child's needs they will be able to tell you whether they will apply for additional funding and how this may be used.
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Enhanced Maternal Child Health
For families that need more intensive support
The enhanced maternal and child health service is available for families that need more intensive support.
This specialised program is offered to you if you are experiencing significant early parenting/carer difficulties.
Support services
Our Maternal Child Health Nurses can also help with breast feeding, women's and children’s health, nutrition, parenting, postnatal depression, family planning, and child/home safety. This is a referral only service.
How can I access the service?
Contact your local maternal child health nurse through the Maternal and Child Health central booking service on 03 9205 5599 or call Yarra City Council on 9205 5555 and ask for our Team Leader of Maternal and Child Health or email [email protected].
The enhanced maternal and child health service is available for families that need more intensive support.
This specialised program is offered to you if you are experiencing significant early parenting/carer difficulties.
Support services
Our Maternal Child Health Nurses can also help with breast feeding, women's and children’s health, nutrition, parenting, postnatal depression, family planning, and child/home safety. This is a referral only service.
How can I access the service?
Contact your local maternal child health nurse through the Maternal and Child Health central booking service on 03 9205 5599 or call Yarra City Council on 9205 5555 and ask for our Team Leader of Maternal and Child Health or email [email protected].
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Family Support
Being a parent has its rewards but can also come with many challenges.
Support is available for families facing these challenges, whether they are big or small.
How can we help?
We try to help with the day-to-day stresses that families may be experiencing, making it easier for parent–child relationships to grow. By removing these negative stresses, parents have reported that they feel more confident and available to their children and that their family relationships improve.
With a particular focus on the safety and wellbeing of children, our program works with families to:- Increase quality of life
- Promote safe and respectful relationships
- Provide parenting support
- Reduce feelings of isolation
- Ensure that families are linked to relevant supports and services
- Build resilience and problem solving skills
How to access the service
If you are a Yarra resident, you can access the Family Support Program by calling Yarra City Council on 9205 5468 and ask for our Intake Caseworker.
If there are other services that are better suited to your family, the Intake Caseworker can help to arrange appropriate referrals.Support is available for families facing these challenges, whether they are big or small.
How can we help?
We try to help with the day-to-day stresses that families may be experiencing, making it easier for parent–child relationships to grow. By removing these negative stresses, parents have reported that they feel more confident and available to their children and that their family relationships improve.
With a particular focus on the safety and wellbeing of children, our program works with families to:- Increase quality of life
- Promote safe and respectful relationships
- Provide parenting support
- Reduce feelings of isolation
- Ensure that families are linked to relevant supports and services
- Build resilience and problem solving skills
How to access the service
If you are a Yarra resident, you can access the Family Support Program by calling Yarra City Council on 9205 5468 and ask for our Intake Caseworker.
If there are other services that are better suited to your family, the Intake Caseworker can help to arrange appropriate referrals.
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Family Violence
Do you need help with family violence?
If you are in immediate danger call Victoria Police on 000.
For 24-hour help you can call or visit:- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (Victoria) phone 1800 015 188
- Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA) phone (03) 9635 3610 (business hours) or 1800 806 292 (after hours)
- National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service phone 1800 737 732
- Mens Line Australia phone 1300 78 99 78
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
Other services include:
- Berry Street Northern Family and Domestic Violence Service phone (03) 9450 4700
- InTouch: Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence phone 1800 755 988
- Men’s Referral Service phone 1300 766 491
- Kildonan Uniting Care Men’s Behaviour Change Program phone (03) 9457 0500
Download Yarra's Family Violence Statement.
If you are in immediate danger call Victoria Police on 000.
For 24-hour help you can call or visit:- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (Victoria) phone 1800 015 188
- Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA) phone (03) 9635 3610 (business hours) or 1800 806 292 (after hours)
- National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service phone 1800 737 732
- Mens Line Australia phone 1300 78 99 78
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
Other services include:
- Berry Street Northern Family and Domestic Violence Service phone (03) 9450 4700
- InTouch: Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence phone 1800 755 988
- Men’s Referral Service phone 1300 766 491
- Kildonan Uniting Care Men’s Behaviour Change Program phone (03) 9457 0500
Download Yarra's Family Violence Statement.
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Financial Counselling
A free and confidential financial counselling service is available in the City of Yarra. The Federal Department of Social Services funds this service across the North East Region of Melbourne, including all suburbs in Yarra.
The service is provided:- Every Wednesday by Berry Street Service at 1 Salisbury Street, Richmond.
- Every Monday and Friday by Kildonan Uniting Care Service at 1 Gold Street, Collingwood.
What is financial counselling?
The service provides information and support for anyone experiencing financial difficulties.
What should I expect?
The information you receive is from a qualified financial counsellor who adheres to industry standards.
You can expect to receive respect, trust and compassion. You will not be judged. To assist you, the counsellor will need to ask some questions to better understand your situation.
What do I need to have ready?
Please have your financial information ready when you call to help the service assist you faster.
This may include:
- Outstanding bills
- Demand letters
- Court orders
- Payslips/Centrelink income statements
- Contracts
- Rent/mortgage amounts
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
How do I access this service?
To access the financial counselling service you need to call 1800 685 682 to book a phone or face to face appointment.
Other financial counselling services
The following services can also provide advice and assistance with managing debt, paying bills, meeting mortgage or rent repayments and planning a budget.
National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. Their professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.Financial Counselling Australia
The peak body for financial counsellors in Australia. This body connects people with a financial counsellor near them.
Consumer Action Legal Centre 9629 6300 or 1800 466 477
Consumer Action Law Centre is a consumer advocacy and campaigning organisation that provides free and independent legal assistance and financial counselling.Further information
For further advice and information about concessions and financial assistance, contact The Department of Human Services or call 1300 650 172 (local call fee within Victoria, except mobile phones)
A free and confidential financial counselling service is available in the City of Yarra. The Federal Department of Social Services funds this service across the North East Region of Melbourne, including all suburbs in Yarra.
The service is provided:- Every Wednesday by Berry Street Service at 1 Salisbury Street, Richmond.
- Every Monday and Friday by Kildonan Uniting Care Service at 1 Gold Street, Collingwood.
What is financial counselling?
The service provides information and support for anyone experiencing financial difficulties.
What should I expect?
The information you receive is from a qualified financial counsellor who adheres to industry standards.
You can expect to receive respect, trust and compassion. You will not be judged. To assist you, the counsellor will need to ask some questions to better understand your situation.
What do I need to have ready?
Please have your financial information ready when you call to help the service assist you faster.
This may include:
- Outstanding bills
- Demand letters
- Court orders
- Payslips/Centrelink income statements
- Contracts
- Rent/mortgage amounts
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
How do I access this service?
To access the financial counselling service you need to call 1800 685 682 to book a phone or face to face appointment.
Other financial counselling services
The following services can also provide advice and assistance with managing debt, paying bills, meeting mortgage or rent repayments and planning a budget.
National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. Their professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.Financial Counselling Australia
The peak body for financial counsellors in Australia. This body connects people with a financial counsellor near them.
Consumer Action Legal Centre 9629 6300 or 1800 466 477
Consumer Action Law Centre is a consumer advocacy and campaigning organisation that provides free and independent legal assistance and financial counselling.Further information
For further advice and information about concessions and financial assistance, contact The Department of Human Services or call 1300 650 172 (local call fee within Victoria, except mobile phones)
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Programs for families
Would you like to learn more about parenting?
We have a range of evidence based parenting programs that assist parents and carers in their parenting role.
Parent-Child Mother Goose Program
Music and play based Parent Group
Would you like to:
- encourage language development in a social setting
- learn rhymes and songs to enjoy with your child at home
- meet other families with young children in your neighbourhood
- find out about services you can access
The Parent-Child Mother Goose program program is facilitated by 2 experienced staff and is free. Being part of the group offers lots of opportunities for incidental learning and discussion of parenting techniques.
Groups are held weekly during school terms in Fitzroy and Richmond.How to apply:
Contact [email protected] to join a group.
Mothers Matter Too
Are you experiencing difficulties adjusting to your new role as a mother? Are you feeling flat, sad, anxious or depressed?
The Mothers Matter Too program offers a chance to connect with other mothers in a supportive environment.
The program will help you adjust to your role as a new parent with the support of Maternal and Child Health Nurses and other clinicians.
The program consists of 9 informative sessions for you and one session with your partner. It is free to attend and care will be provided onsite for your baby for a small fee.How to apply:
If you live in the City of Yarra, have a baby less than 12 months of age and would like to know more about this program, please speak with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or call 9205 5555 and ask for the Maternal and Child Health Team Leader.
Tuning into Kids
Parenting program
Tuning in to Kids™ is a parenting program that aims to give you helpful ways of teaching your child the skills of emotional intelligence. The program teaches you about how you, as a parent, can help your child develop good emotional skills.It teaches parents:
- awareness and regulation of their own emotions
- awareness of their children’s emotions
- to use children’s emotional experiences as an opportunity for closeness and teaching
- skills in assisting children to verbally label and manage their emotions
- skills in assisting children in problem solving
- to guide children’s behaviour with appropriate limits
Contact:
For more information call Yarra City Council on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].
We have a range of evidence based parenting programs that assist parents and carers in their parenting role.
Parent-Child Mother Goose Program
Music and play based Parent Group
Would you like to:
- encourage language development in a social setting
- learn rhymes and songs to enjoy with your child at home
- meet other families with young children in your neighbourhood
- find out about services you can access
The Parent-Child Mother Goose program program is facilitated by 2 experienced staff and is free. Being part of the group offers lots of opportunities for incidental learning and discussion of parenting techniques.
Groups are held weekly during school terms in Fitzroy and Richmond.How to apply:
Contact [email protected] to join a group.
Mothers Matter Too
Are you experiencing difficulties adjusting to your new role as a mother? Are you feeling flat, sad, anxious or depressed?
The Mothers Matter Too program offers a chance to connect with other mothers in a supportive environment.
The program will help you adjust to your role as a new parent with the support of Maternal and Child Health Nurses and other clinicians.
The program consists of 9 informative sessions for you and one session with your partner. It is free to attend and care will be provided onsite for your baby for a small fee.How to apply:
If you live in the City of Yarra, have a baby less than 12 months of age and would like to know more about this program, please speak with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or call 9205 5555 and ask for the Maternal and Child Health Team Leader.
Tuning into Kids
Parenting program
Tuning in to Kids™ is a parenting program that aims to give you helpful ways of teaching your child the skills of emotional intelligence. The program teaches you about how you, as a parent, can help your child develop good emotional skills.It teaches parents:
- awareness and regulation of their own emotions
- awareness of their children’s emotions
- to use children’s emotional experiences as an opportunity for closeness and teaching
- skills in assisting children to verbally label and manage their emotions
- skills in assisting children in problem solving
- to guide children’s behaviour with appropriate limits
Contact:
For more information call Yarra City Council on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].