What is Child FIRST?

Child & Family Information Referral & Support Teams

* A central entry point to Department of Human Services funded Family Services in the North East Metropolitan catchment of Melbourne

* This catchment consists of 5 Local Government Areas in Victoria: Banyule, Nillumbik, Darebin, Whittlesea & Yarra

What does Child FIRST Do?

Child FIRST Coordinates with partner Family Service agencies to:

* Ensure that Family Service allocations across the catchment are prioritised on the basis of needs

* Responses to significant concerns about children’s wellbeing

* Relationships with wider service networks

* Catchment capacity and service data

What works to improve safety and wellbeing for vulnerable children?

* A service mix of multiple models and levels of support,
* One-to-one (therapy, counselling, mentors)
* Groups (skills, healing, self-help)
* In home and In community
* Multi-disciplinary
* Early years – Maternal and Child Health, play groups; preschools
* Education
* Family Support
* Specialist services – mental health; drug and alcohol; domestic violence.

Some characteristics of vulnerable children and families

* Significant parenting issues that may be affecting the child’s development
* Serious family conflict, including family breakdown
* Families under pressure due to a family member’s physical or mental illness, substance abuse, disability or bereavement
* Young, isolated and/or unsupported families
* Significant social or economic disadvantage that may adversely impact on a child’s care or development

Who can be referred to Child FIRST?

Families where children are vulnerable and require Family Support:
* To address parental issues which impact on their parenting capacity.
* To develop and/or enhance Parenting Skills
* Issues impacting on parent-child relationships
* With information/education on child development – varying ages, stages & needs
* Social inclusion - family and community connectedness

How do I Contact Child FIRST North East?

Telephone: 03-9450 0955
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Located at CPS,
70 Altona Street, West Heidelberg
Email: childfirst@cps.org.au