Parenting Article No. 16
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SUPPORT
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES?
In the Barwon South Western Region there are a variety of general and
specialist services dealing with areas such as, drugs, child and
adolescent mental health, family and individual counselling, special
needs and confidential parent support telephone services. It would be
impossible to list all the services in the region so I have only listed a few
to give parents some ideas. I’m sure those services listed would be
happy to speak to parents and clarify if they could be of assistance and
if not help parents identify what other service may best meet their
needs.
Some of the main services that are relevant to parents are listed below.
A much more comprehensive booklet about the range of services in
Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast is available for a small cost from
Lifeline Geelong (Phone 5222 2255). The services in other areas would
no doubt help people find the appropriate local ones to meet their needs.
Parentline – Ph: 13 22 89 Counselling/referral about child
behaviour problems. Available day and evening hours
24 Hour Telephone Services
 Child Protection, DHS Crisis after hours 13 12 78
 Child Care Access Hotline 1800 670 305
 Lifeline 13 11 14
 Maternal and Child Health Advice line 13 22 29
 Men's Referral Service 1800 065 973
Under 5 years
 Maternal & Child Health Nurse - refer to your local council
 Raphael Centre – counselling for anti and post natal anxiety
or depression; and sleep/settling . ph: 5221 7333
 PaNDa - Post and Ante Natal Depression Association:
Helpline ph. 1300 726 306 from 9am to 7pm weekdays
 Preschool Field Officers - Contact via your local kindergarten
School Age
 Barwon Health – Children’s Mental Health Service (up to 15 yrs)
Ph: 5226 7075
 Student Welfare Co-ordinator at your school
Adolescent Services
 Barwon Health - Adolescent Mental Health Service – 5226 7075
 Young people’s health and counselling services Headspace Clockwork - Geelong - Ph: 5222 6690
Headspace Jigsaw – Corio – ph: 5279 2754
 Barwon Youth – variety of services for youth ph: 5221 4466
incl. Mentoring, mediation, Youth Entry point for homeless.
 Time for Youth (counselling, 12-25 yrs & families)
Geelong Ph: 5223 2966 Colac Ph: 5232 5180
 Brophy Family and Youth Services – Warrnambool Ph: 5561 8888
 Colac Area Health – Family Support Ph: 5232 5140
 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services – Warrnambool
Ph: 5561 9100
 Francis Hewitt Centre – Hamilton ph: 5551 8450
Grief & Loss
 Hope Bereavement Care - Ph: 5226 7269
 SIDS and Kids Ph: 1800 240 400 (freecall , after hours)
Special Needs
 Early Childhood Intervention Service (ECIS) – Ph: 1800 354 605
Geelong Ph: 5225 1000; Warrnambool Ph: 5561 9444
 Gateways Support Services Inc. Preschool support, Family
Choice- Geelong Ph: 5221 2984; Colac Ph. 5232 2001
 MacKillop Family Services – Disability Ph: 5278 9211
 SCOPE – Barwon South Western Region Ph: 5221 5444
 Mpower – Early intervention, respite, parent support, toy
library Warrnambool Ph: 5561 8111
 Community Connections Warranmbool Ph:1300 361 680
Drug & Alcohol Issues – Directline 1800 888 236
 Barwon Health – Youth Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services
Ph: 5226 7075
 Colac Area Health – Alcohol & Drug Service Ph: 5232 5140
 WRAD – Warrnambool /Colac Ph: 1300 009 723
 Francis Hewitt Centre – Hamilton – Ph: 5551 8450
Sexual Assault - Crisis Line 1800 806 292
 Centre Against Sexual Assault – Barwon Ph: 5222 4318
 Centre Against Sexual Assault – Warrnambool Ph: 5564 4144
Domestic Violence – Womens Crisis Line 1800 015 188
 Zena Women's Services - Barwon Ph: 5224 2903
 Colac Area Health Ph: 5232 5180
 Emma House D. V. Service – Warrnambool Ph: 5561 1934
Family Separation & Step-Families
 Family Relationship Centre - Geelong/Colac ph: 5246 5600
 Warrnambool Ph: 1300 361 680
 Step Families Australia (was SAVI) Ph: 9663 6799
Family Support & Counselling Services
These local agencies mostly have a range of different kinds of
services , such as ones to help with housing, family violence, drug
and alcohol issues, parenting concerns,etc. They may have
several locations. Check the phone book for details
 Barwon ChildFIRST 1300 551 948 links families into
appropriate local services.
 ChildFIRST South West 1300 889 713
 Child Protection, DHS 1800 075 599 (Bh)
 Bethany Community Support – Barwon Region Ph: 5278 8122
 Centacare – Geelong Ph: 5221 7055 - W’bool Ph: 5559 3000
 Childrens Services Centre – Warrnambool Ph: 5559 4747
 Colac Area Health - Family Support Ph: 5232 5140
 Community Connections – Ph: 1300 361 680
 Community Health Services – check your phone book
 Glastonbury Community Services – incl. Foster Care.
Barwon Region – Ph: 5222 6911 Colac - Ph: 5231 4740
 Lifeworks – Relationship Counselling Ph: 5222 3172
 MacKillop Family Services – Barwon Region – Ph: 5278 9211
 Salvation Army – ph: 5223 2434
(Updated September 2011)
For a complete list of Regional Parenting Service articles go to the City of Greater Geelong website
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/community/family/services/article/8cbc84b53070368.aspx