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What you need to know

Family Services

We recognise that being a parent can be tough, so we offer a range of support services to help you and your family in times of need. 

Integrated Family Services

Our Integrated Family Services program provides case-management support to families with children from 0–17 years old, living in Moonee Valley.

Every family is different, and we work to suit the needs of each family in their home, community and educational settings. Some of the supports we offer include:

  • support with parenting skills and understanding children’s development
  • practical and emotional support
  • developing strategies and skills to strengthen family communication
  • information for families to access community resources.

In-person assistance is available in languages other than English.

For more information, email The Orange Door, Western Melbourne at wma@orangedoor.vic.gov.au or call 1800 271 045

Early Intervention & Prevention Services

Our Early Intervention and Prevention team offer care coordination and support to children and families accessing a Council managed Early Years service (childcare and/or kindergarten) who has been identified as having emerging education, health and wellbeing needs.

We bring families and support services together to talk about your child’s needs and how we can work together to support your child’s development.

Speak to an educator or Maternal & Child Health Nurse at your Early Years service to access this support.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Outreach Support

Our CALD Outreach team works directly with families and Early Years services to address engagement barriers and support transition and ongoing participation in education.

We support CALD families with:

  • registration and enrolment in Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten
  • access to childcare, playgroups and Maternal and Child Health Services
  • transition from kindergarten to school
  • referral to community supports in their local area.

To find out more, email fintake@mvcc.vic.gov.au or call 9243 8888 / 9243 1635.

Supported Playgroups

Supported Playgroups are a free program for families with children from birth to school age.

A qualified facilitator leads these fun sessions where parents develop their skills and confidence to support their child’s wellbeing and development.

Sessions run each week during school terms in Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Flemington, Moonee Ponds, and Strathmore. Eligibility criteria applies.

Parents are encouraged to look after their own health and wellbeing by developing positive social support networks and seeking professional help if they are stressed or feel they are not coping. For more information, watch Supported Playgroups for parents.

In-Home Support is a very important element of the program. It involves a facilitator visiting a family at their home and providing individual coaching on using the smalltalk strategies with their child/children.

To contact a facilitator, email supportedplaygroups@mvcc.vic.gov.au

Other Services

We support families to engage with other professionals and services to promote the best education, health and wellbeing outcomes for children.

We also offer:

At times, with permission from families, family services will engage these professionals on behalf of the family to discuss their goals, actions and outcomes. When families are engaged with other council services, you will be invited to a joint meeting with these services to discuss how we can best support you to achieve your goals.

Contact us

Email fintake@mvcc.vic.gov.au or call the Family Services Intake, Referral and Advice line on 9243 8888 / 9243 1635.

For urgent enquiries, please contact:

  • Child Protection Intake and Advice (North West Region) – 1300 664 977
  • Victoria Police – 000
  • Safe Steps (Domestic and Family Violence Crisis Support) – 1800 015 188
  • Life Line Crisis Support – 13 11 14