Parenting is one of the most important tasks we undertake. It doesn't always come naturally, though; parenting takes practice and patience. There are a range of support services to help parents.
Parenting services help families to raise happy, healthy children. They are available to parents with children aged 0 to 18 years. These support services are widely used by large numbers of parents.
Parentline
Parentline is a telephone information, counselling and referral service. The service is available to parents of children of all ages - from birth to 18 years of age. Parentline operates between 8 am and midnight, seven days a week, call 13 22 89.
Parentline helps with everyday questions and concerns such as:
- Resolving family conflict
- Discipline issues
- Sleeping problems
- Improving family relationships.
See also: Information and advice for parents.
Finding a Maternal and Child Health Service
Maternal and Child Health Services provides information and advice about child health, child development, maternal health, parenting and home safety for families with children from birth to six years.
Early Parenting Centres provide support and information
Early Parenting Centres can provide:
- Support and help for parents of children aged from 0 to 36 months
- Help with common difficulties such as sleeping and feeding problems
- A place for parents and children to stay so they can receive 24 hour support (for up to five days)
- Day programs (day-stay) that offer a minimum of four hours support.
Family Intervention Services
Family Intervention Services provide an intensive level of support for families with children aged up to ten years who are experiencing particular parenting difficulties.
Regional Parenting Resource Services
Regional Parenting Resource Services provide parenting support, education and advice. They help parents develop their skills and coping abilities and improve their relationships with their children.
Find a range of
regional parenting services or contact your
local council to find out about local parenting services.
Help to manage behavioural problems
The types of behavioural problems that parenting services can help you with include:
- Challenging behaviour and parental stress
- Setting limits
- Fighting among siblings
- Disagreement between parents over the management of their children
- Violence in the home.
Help with other parenting issues
Other issues that parenting services can help you with include:
Many community agencies run parenting groups
Places where you may find parenting groups include:
- Maternal and child health centres
- Neighbourhood houses
- Community health centres.
Where to get help
- Your regional Department of Human Services office
- Parentline Tel. 13 22 89
- Family Relationship Advice Line Tel. 1800 050 321 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday, 10am to 4pm
- Regional Parenting Services
- Local council
- Your maternal and child health nurse
- Community health centre
- Raising children network
- Neighbourhood House.
Content Partner
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Last updated:
March 2011
Page content currently being reviewed.
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.