Support for parents
Parent education groups
We run a range of parent education groups during school terms. These services offer support, education and the opportunity for you to meet other parents.
Group sessions are free and available to Darebin residents.
Personal details are requested for the purpose of communication about updates to event information and responding to the needs of individuals and families at the event (early parenting program privacy statement(PDF, 64KB)). Read more about our privacy statement.
Upcoming programs
Brush Book Bed
An interactive dental hygiene program for families with young children. The program will help you teach your children to brush their teeth and practice good dental hygiene. Sessions include songs and play-based learning strategies. You can take part with your children in the session. Find out more information on the National Playgroup Week Play and Learn Event(PDF, 2MB).
Next BBB session is to be confirmed, watch this space.
Family Services
Family Services can provide short- and long-term support to families experiencing complex issues such as family violence, mental health, substance abuse that can affect their children's safety, stability and healthy development.
Our services include intake and duty work, information and referral, in home parenting support and advice, case management, linkages and advocacy and groupwork (see list below for programs offered).
Phone: 03 9496 1018 or 0407 102 423 or email us at family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au
Parenting after violence group
A group for women dealing with the effects of family violence.
Email us about the parenting after violence group at family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au
Youth services
Youth services support young people aged 12—24 who live, work and play in Darebin. We provide safe and welcoming spaces and offer a wide range of skill development and leadership opportunities, events, social activities and linkages to specialised support services.
Email the Youth Services team for more information at email us at youthservices@darebin.vic.gov.au
Orange door (in north-eastern Melbourne)
A centralised telephone intake service that gives children and their families information and referrals.
For more information phone 1800 319 355.
Single-parent families
Single-parent families include families where there may be only a mother or a father, or even a grandparent raising children. These families have additional stress involved with raising children, managing a household, working and keeping ahead of household bills.
We have a range of services to help you:
Financial help
If you're a single-parent family and you're eligible for a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, you're also eligible for discounts on:
- municipal rates
- pet registration
- green waste collection
- kindergarten and childcare application lodgement fees.
- toy library joining fees.
Government grants are also available for eligible residents experiencing financial hardship. Grants can help you pay any electricity, gas or water bills that are overdue due to a temporary financial crisis. The Brotherhood of St Laurence and Victorian Government can help you find and switch to cheaper energy companies.
For more information, download the:
Our Maternal and Child Health team can help if you need resources for your baby or toddler.
We also work closely with St Kilda Mums and Big Group Hug to provide essential items for families experiencing financial hardship.
For more information, talk to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or call 03 8470 8298.
More information
Contact Darebin Family Services, 9am—5pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 03 9496 1018
Mobile: 0407 102 423
Email: family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au