Raising children can be really hard work and juggling the competing demands of family life can be a very real challenge for many families. Mt Alexander Family Services (MAFS) aims to provide support to families who are experiencing difficulties, who need a hand and who are keen to make positive changes in their day to day lives.
Family Services workers support families by working with them in their own homes, by identifying what’s important to them and their children, and by developing goals and a clear plan of action that families and workers collaborate on together to achieve. This process involves an in-depth assessment of the needs of each family member, the provision of information, education, advocacy, resources and working with other professionals when and where it’s appropriate.
External Web Resources
The Victorian Child Protection Service is specifically targeted to those children and young people at risk of harm or where families are unable or unwilling to protect them.
Business hours free call Ph: 1800 675 598. After hours 13 12 78
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Ph: 1800 551 800
Parentline offers confidential phone and WebChat counselling and support for parents and carers of children in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Our phones are open every day from 8am – 10pm, while WebChat is available every day from 8am – 9pm.
The mental health triage service is the usual entry point to mental health services. Each public mental health service in Victoria provides a psychiatric triage and referral service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ph: 1300 363 788
safe steps Family Violence Response Centre is Victoria’s statewide response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
We are committed to ensuring all women and children are able to live free from abuse – our ultimate goal is the elimination of family violence. We work towards this through a respond-recover-prevent framework.
Ph: 1800 015 188 (24 hours a day, toll free
The Centre for Non-Violence is a not for profit organisation that provides a range of services and programs that respond to and work to prevent family violence and homelessness across the Loddon region.
Practical information for Victorian parents and carers.
24 hours service – telephone interpreter service available.
Ph: 03 132 229
The Salvation Army is an international Christian movement, united by faith and giving hope where it’s needed most. Across Australia in cities and rural communities, our work touches every demographic and age group. We’re involved in national issues while bringing hope to people who may be experiencing hardship or injustice.
Castlemaine Ph: 03 5470 5389
The St Vincent de Paul Society was was established by Christian minded people who wished to put their faith into action.
This compassionate outlook, enthusiasm and vision continues today in Australia. There are thousands of people who share their time, care for humanity and make a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged all around Australia.
Ph: 03 5472 4419