Please note this information isn't legal advice.
Please contact a legal service listed below to better understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
Family Advisors
Our Family Advisors can help you to improve your relationship and family life. We offer free, confidential support and referral services. A Family Advisor can support your whole family during your time at the Family Relationship Centre.
We can offer information and advice on:
dealing with conflict
supporting your children through separation
understanding parenting plans and putting care arrangements into practice
family violence and safety
housing
Centrelink, concessions and child support
services for personal, legal or financial counselling
making connections in your community.
If your family is having financial difficulty, we can let you know about financial counselling. You may be able to access emergency assistance, like limited food vouchers and emergency grants. This will depend on your family's situation.
Case study
Amanda and Vincent have been married for five years and have three children. They have been worried about money and bills since Amanda lost her job earlier in the year and are now behind in paying their rent.
Amanda called the Family Relationship Centre and spoke to a Family Advisor about accessing Emergency Assistance for food vouchers. The Family Advisor recommended that Amanda also speak with Uniting Communities’ Financial Counselling Service.
Working on your relationship
A great relationship with your partner takes a joint effort. You might like help to improve how you communicate or deal with conflict. Our Enhanced Communication course may be useful for finding where you’re having difficulties. It can help you to develop better ways to work through challenges.
We can also refer you to services that offer relationship counselling.
Supporting you to support your children
There’s no one way to raise happy, confident children. We can offer you support and advice on how to help your kids become great adults.
Our parenting courses can help you better understand your children and the stage they’re at in their development. We can connect you with activities and groups for parents and children in your local community.
You may like to learn about the Family Mental Health Support Service, a free service based in your home or child’s school. They can support young people up to the age of 18 who may have a mental health issue, and their families.
Help for dads
Enjoying fun times with your kids is a great way to strengthen your relationship with each other.
We offer a free ‘Kids and Dads’ program especially for fathers and children. You can spend time together doing fun activities in a group setting. It also gives you a chance to connect with other local dads and their families.
You may also like to attend the dads-only Circle of Security parenting group. This can offer helpful ideas on how to strengthen your relationship with your children. You are welcome to attend any of our free parenting courses.
We understand the ways family and domestic violence can affect people and families. If you would like to change angry or violent behaviours, we can refer you to other services that may be helpful.
Case study
Markus is the father of two boys aged 8 and 11 years old. He separated with their mother a long time ago.
Markus wants to connect with other dads in a similar situation and learn new parenting skills. He spoke to a Family Advisor and was referred to the Kids and Dads group and Circle of Security for Dads. He and his boys have become friends with another local family and catch up with them outside of the group.
Help for mums
Our free parenting courses can give you helpful tips and ideas on raising great kids. You may be interested in a parenting group like Circle of Security. This can be a useful place to share your experiences and connect with other parents in similar situations.
We understand the ways family and domestic violence can affect people and families. If you and/or your family have experienced this, we can find ways to keep you and your family safe. We can refer you to other services that may be helpful
Support for single parents
Co-parenting or parenting on your own can be challenging. Our Family Advisors can talk with you about your situation. We can help you find support at the Family Relationship Centre and in your local community.
Case study
Eleni is a single parent of 10-year-old Tobias. She is feeling overwhelmed by Tobias’ behaviours and angry outbursts, and doesn’t know who to talk to.
Eleni called the Family Relationship Centre and enrolled in Bringing up Great Kids, a free parenting group. She is also supported with a referral to the Family Mental Health Support Service, who will run sessions with Tobias at his school.
Here are some frequently asked questions
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