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Family support

Family Solutions Child FIRST

What is Family Solutions Child FIRST?

Family Solutions Child FIRST helps families in need by supporting parents and connecting them with local services. We aim to encourage a positive family environment and ensure the safety, wellbeing and development of children. We also work with professionals from all fields to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families.

Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service works in partnership with Anglicare Victoria, Oz Child & Southern Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) to provide Family Solutions Child FIRST services across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas.

Family Solutions can help families experiencing issues such as:

  • parenting problems, including managing children's behavior
  • stress or difficulty coping
  • drug or alcohol problems
  • conflict and/or violence
  • difficulty managing household tasks and responsibilities.

Who can use Family Solutions Child FIRST?

Families in need and anyone concerned about a family or child can contact Family Solutions Child FIRST. ‘FIRST' stands for ‘Family, Information, Referral and Support Team' and Child FIRST is a family friendly, local contact point for Family Solutions programs.

Professionals from all fields who are concerned about a child's well being can also contact us for consultation, information and advice.

What does Family Solutions Child FIRST offer?

  • Support for families
  • counselling for parents and children
  • help to connect families with local support services
  • support groups and parenting groups
  • ways of managing children's behavior.

Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service offers the following services across the Mornington Peninsula under the Family Solutions program:

  • family counselling to help parents and children make the most of their strengths and create improved family relationships
  • support for families in their own home or other comfortable location where family members can discuss and plan for the changes they would like to see happen
  • group support, including parent groups and child groups, where those involved can get ideas, encouragement, confidence and friendship from others experiencing similar issues.

How can I find out more about the Family Solutions Child FIRST program?

Contact Family Solutions Child FIRST on: 1300 721 383

A Child FIRST Intake worker will answer your call and offer you advice or assistance.

Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service - Peninsula
1 Church St
Hastings Vic
T: 03 5971 9444
E: peninsula@goodshepvic.org.au


For more information, see our service information publications:

Family Solutions Child FIRST - Helping Families (PDF 1.71MB)

Family Solutions Child FIRST - Helping Professionals (PDF 1.65MB) 

I have found the support I needed. I have no family support.

Good Shepherd helped me out a lot to have the confidence to talk to my community and to communicate with the primary school.

I found a friend and an ally at Good Shepherd. I was supported as a mum and now everything is okay.

[We've found] peace of mind with the help of our case manager.

Family Counselling Service

What is the Family Counselling Service?

Our free, confidential Family Counselling Service supports vulnerable children, young people and families with children up to 18 years of age. This service is part of the Brimbank Melton Child and Family Alliance, which includes a coordinated information and access service known as Child FIRST.

Who can use the Family Counselling Service?

This program is for families and young people living in the Brimbank City Council area, which includes Deer Park, Keilor, St Albans, Sunshine, Sydenham and Taylors Lakes.

What does the Family Counselling Service offer?

• Professional counselling in the home or at our office
• information
• advocacy
• referrals to other services.

How can I find out more about the Family Counselling Service?

The general contact point for people wishing to access the Family Counselling Service is through Child FIRST on 1300 138 180.

Past and present clients of Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service may contact us directly:

Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
354 Main Road West
St Albans Vic 3021
T: 03 8312 8800
E: stalbans@goodshepvic.org.au

My worker is very accommodating to my needs. I'm in a wheelchair and she comes to the home. Excellent and professional, full of wisdom, encouraging and it's free. Thank you so very much.

Family Support Service

What is the Family Support Service?

Our Family Support Service is a free and confidential case work and in-home support service for families with children up to 18 years of age. This service is part of the Brimbank Melton Child and Family Alliance, which includes a coordinated information and access service known as Child FIRST.

Who can use the Family Support Service?

This program is for families and young people living in the Brimbank City Council area, which includes Deer Park, Keilor, St Albans, Sunshine, Sydenham and Taylors Lakes.

What does the Family Support Service offer?

  • Information
  • advocacy
  • referrals to other services.

How can I find out more about the Family Support Service?

The general contact point for people wishing to access the Family Counselling Service is through Child FIRST on 1300 138 180.

Past and present clients of Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service may contact us directly:

Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
354 Main Road West
St Albans Vic 3021
T: 03 8312 8800
E: stalbans@goodshepvic.org.au