Parent information and support
Helplines and family supports
Helplines and family supports
Helplines
If life is in danger, phone 000 (triple zero)
A self-service website for adults concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person, or family.
Find resources and services in your area, use the self-service Just ASK tool, or seek help through Chat (9:00 am to 5:00 pm weekdays).
1800 RESPECT
A national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Phone 1800 737 732 (24-hour service)
Information in other languages
Parent Helpline South Australia
Parent Helpline gives advice on child health and parenting.
Phone 1300 364 100 (24-hour service)
Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS)
CaFHS is a free service for babies and children up to 5 years. Nurses can help with children's health, eating, sleeping and development. Some CaFHS sites have Aboriginal workers you can speak to.
For an appointment, phone 1300 733 606
Hours: 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Child Abuse Report Line
Phone this services if you think a child may be at risk of violence, abuse or neglect, including Female Genital Cutting, or early or forced marriage.
Phone 13 14 78 (24-hour service)
Child abuse reporting - when to report and what happens next
The Domestic Violence Crisis Line
Offers information, counselling and safe accommodation support for anyone experiencing domestic violence in South Australia. They can organise a translator for you.
Phone 1800 800 098 (24-hour service)
Kids Helpline
Phone and online support for children and young people up to 25 years, including about becoming a parent. Online chat is available.
Phone 1800 55 1800 (24-hour service)
Email Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline Online Chat
Legal Services Commission
Free legal advice by phone or online chat.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Phone 1300 366 424
Parenting workshops
The DHS Parenting and Family Support team helps South Australian parents and caregivers understand child and adolescent development.
They host relaxed and informal parenting workshops face-to-face or by webinar. You can get simple, practical strategies based on the latest parenting research. The workshops include videos, activities, and time for parents and caregivers to talk in small groups.
DHS Parenting and Family Support team
Family support services
Anglicare SA
Phone 8305 9200
Child Support Scheme
Australian Government child support scheme and assistance with payments.
Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.45 pm
Phone 131 272
Centrelink
Centrelink 24-hour phone self-service
Phone 136 240
Child support enquiries, Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.45 pm
Phone 131 272
Family Relationships Online
Information for all families – whether together or separated – about family relationship issues. Find out about a range of services to assist families manage relationship issues, including helping families agree on arrangements for children after parents separate.
Family Court
For information about family law and dispute resolution. Online chat available.
Mission Australia
Phone 8218 2800
Raising Children Network
Information in many languages about raising children and young people. Topics include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents
- Baby Development milestones
- Co-parenting
- Multicultural families
- Pregnancy and birth
- Parenting as a teenager
- Rainbow and same-sex families
- Young parents (video - 7 mins)
Relationships Australia SA
Support for parents and caregivers in nurturing children’s development and wellbeing
Phone 1300 364 277
Uniting Communities (Adelaide)
Phone 1800 615 677
Uniting Care Wesley Bowden
Phone 8245 7100
Uniting SA
Phone 8440 2200
Uniting Care Wesley Country SA (Port Pirie)
Phone 8633 8600
Parent Easy Guides
Disability
Disability
Special Education Resource Unit (Department for Education)
Specialised resources and information for children and students with disability from birth to Year 12.
Phone 8235 2871
Disability resources from SA Government
Parent Easy Guides
LGBTIQ+
LGBTIQ+
For parents
Bfriend
Free, confidential information and support for parents and family members. Bfriend Parent Volunteers can provide phone or in-person support to other parents.
Phone 8202 5190
Beyond Blue: Families like mine
A guide for parents and families when young people are questioning their sexuality or gender identity.
Gender Centre
Services for the transgender and gender diverse community.
Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Information on gender dysphoria.
Australian Human Rights Commission
The promotion and protection of human rights in Australia, including sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
Department for Education SA
The department has policies and procedures to ensure all students, including those who are same-sex attracted, gender diverse, transgender and intersex, receive a quality education in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
For young people
eHeadspace
Free online support and counselling for young people,their families and friends
Headspace
Has information on sexuality and sexual identity and provides online chat and other connection and support options. Find what your local headspace centre offers.
SHINE SA
For support with appointments, counselling, information and resources for parents and young people.
- Sexual healthline (before noon, Monday to Friday) phone 1300 883 793 or country callers 1800 188 171.
- 64 Woodville Road, Woodville. For appointments, phone 8300 5300
- 57 Hyde Street, Adelaide. For appointments, phone 8300 5300
Minus 18
Youth-led network providing information and resources for LGBTQI young people.
Minus 18 Facebook page
QLife
Telephone and online chat, peer support and referral for LGBTQI people of all ages.
Phone 1800 184 527
Youth Beyond Blue
For information on anxiety, depression and bullying for LGBTQI young people.
Phone 1300 22 4636
ReachOut
Information for young people coping with tough times.
Law Stuff
Legal Information for young people.
Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council
A national body that advocates for the rights of multicultural and multifaith LGBTIQ individuals and communities.
Parent Easy Guides
Education and learning
Education and learning
GreatStart
Has activity ideas that promote children’s learning.
Department for Education
Promotes growth for every child, in every class, in every school and preschool.
Phone 8226 1000
Free call 1800 088 158
Catholic Education Office
Manages 101 Catholic schools.
Phone 8301 6600
Association of Independent Schools
Represents the independent (non-Catholic, non-Government) schools in South Australia.
Phone 8179 1400
Parent Easy Guides
Healthy living
Healthy living
Body image, food and healthy living
Eat for Health, Australian Government
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and other information about eating well.
Girls Make Your Move, Australian Government
Promoting sport and physical activity for girls.
Healthy Eating for Kids and Teens, South Australian Government
Tips for helping children and teens to eat well and be active.
Statewide Eating Disorder Service (SEDS)
For people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other specified feeding or eating disorders. Open 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Phone 8198 0800
The Butterfly Foundation
Supporting people with eating disorders and body image issues.
Phone 1800 33 4673
National Eating Disorders Collaboration
Eating disorders information for young people, parents and professionals.
Phone (02) 9412 4499
Parent Easy Guides
Young people, body image and food
Drugs and alcohol
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
A confidential telephone counselling, information and referral service run by Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia.
Drug Help - Department of Health
Information about drugs and their effects including what drugs look like. Tips for parents on
talking with their teens
Alcohol and Drug Foundation
Information about alcohol, drugs and support services
Phone 1300 85 85 84
0439 TELL ME
Text a drug name and receive a text with information about the effects of the drug and links to further information.
Text to 0439 835 563
Parenting Strategies
Information and guidelines on preventing adolescent alcohol misuse, including free online course for parents
Quit SA
Information and support to stop smoking
Phone 13 78 48
Parent Easy Guides
Young people, alcohol and drugs
Mental health and wellbeing
South Australian government information about mental health and education for children.
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue is there to help anyone who feels sad or worried. Information in many languages.
Phone 1300 22 4636 (24-hour service)
Email Beyond Blue
Online Chat Service
Online Forums for sharing your experiences and tips for staying well
Be You - provides educators with knowledge, resources and strategies for helping children and young people achieve their best possible mental health.
Healthy Mind is an Easy Read tool that suits people with intellectual disability.
Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Help for parents and young people 12 to 25 years. Open 9.00 am to 1.00 am.
Phone 1800 650 890
Youth Mental Health Service
Supporting young people 16 to 24 years to manage their mental health. Open 24 hours.
Phone 13 14 65
ReachOut
Online mental health support for young people
MumMoodBooster
An online resource helping women recover from post-natal depression.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia)
For information, support and counselling for new parents, family and friends.
Phone 1300 726 306
Parent Easy Guides
Media, movies and television
Media, movies and television
Australian Council on Children and the Media
Information and support about media and children
Phone 1800 700 357 (24 hours)
Australian Classification
Information about classification ratings including for movies and apps
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Responsible for regulating media and handling program content complaints
Australian Government Department of Health
Guidelines for physical activity and sedentary behaviour for all ages, including screen time recommendations
Parent Easy Guides
New and young parents
New and young parents
New parents
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Information and support for breastfeeding
Phone Helpline 1800 686 268 (mum 2 mum), 24 hours
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)
Phone Helpline 1300 726 306, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 7.30 pm
Information, support and counselling to new parents, family and friends. You don’t need a diagnosis to use this service.
What were we thinking
Information about common experiences for mothers and fathers in the early months of parenthood and some effective ways of thinking about and managing them.
MumSpace
Supports the emotional health of new mums at every step.
ForWhen Helpline SA
Phone 1300 242 322, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Connecting new and expecting parents struggling with their mental health to services that are right for them from conception to 12 months after birth.
Young parents
Metropolitan Youth Health (MY Health) young parent programs
Providing individual and group support before, during and after pregnancy and while you’re parenting. MY Health also has nurses, midwives, doctors and counsellors.
Talking Realities
A program for young parents at Angle Vale
Phone 8243 5637
Family support program, Anglicare SA
Phone 8131 3400
Centacare - young family support program
Parenting support and accommodation at a number of locations, including on-site learning programs where residents can complete their high school education.
Phone 8359 1022
Young Pregnant and Parenting Network
Supporting pregnant and parenting young people to make the right choices for themselves and their children.
Parent Easy Guides
Parenting approaches
Parenting approaches
Happy Families - Dr Justin Coulson
For positive approaches to parenting, building relationships, happy families, and guiding behaviour. Find webinars, blogs, podcasts, books and more.
Parenting ideas - Michael Grose
Resources for parents and schools on positive approaches to parenting. Find blogs and webinars and books.
Aha Parenting - Dr Laura Markham
Information on peaceful parenting, including blogs on positive ways of responding to children’s challenging behaviour.
Connective Parenting - Bonnie Harris
Information on connective parenting, including blogs and articles on responding to challenging behaviour
Lives in the balance - Dr Ross Greene
Information for families and schools on children’s challenging behaviour and positive ways of responding.
A fine parent - a group of parents
Information on positive approaches to parenting.
Parent Easy Guides
Positive approaches to guiding behaviour: 2–12 years
Positive discipline strategies for every family - Dr Justin Coulson (YouTube 11.26 mins)
Parents talk about positive approaches to guiding children’s behaviour (YouTube 13 mins)
What parenting style works best for children? - Jodie Benveniste (YouTube 8.10 mins)
View the Secrets of Raising Beautifully Behaved Children - Jodie Benveniste (YouTube 2 hours) (May 2019)
Parenting scenarios
Parenting scenarios
Get off that device
https://parenting.sa.gov.au/parent-information-and-support/scenarios/get-off-that-device/
Morning Madness
https://parenting.sa.gov.au/parent-information-and-support/scenarios/morning-madness/
Parenting workshops
Parenting workshops
The DHS Families Growing Together team helps families by empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to connect and grow together. This helps them lay strong foundations for their children and young people.
The team hosts relaxed and informal parenting workshops face-to-face or by webinar. You can get simple, practical strategies based on the latest parenting research. The workshops include videos, activities, and time for parents and caregivers to talk in small groups.
All workshops are free.
Safety for families and children
Safety for families and children
Cybersafety and cybercrime
A self-service website for adults concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person, or family.
Find resources and services in your area, use the self-service Just ASK tool, or seek help through Chat (9:00 am to 5:00 pm weekdays).
Bullying and harassment information, advice and helplines (SA Government).
Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner
Information on online safety for parents (iParent) and women (eSafetyWomen), children and young people. Includes cyber bullying, sexting, trolling, digital reputation, online gaming. Provides a guide to games, apps and social networking. You can report cyber bullying and offensive material. Has resources for Aboriginal families and schools (Be Deadly Online)
Google Safety Centre
Online safety tips for parents, including Google SafeSearch.
ReportCyber – Australian Cyber Security Centre
A national site for reporting cybercrime.
ThinkUKnow
Cyber safety for parents and teachers including privacy management, sexting, gaming consoles. Has guides for young people on using a number of social media sites
Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN)
A national site for reporting cybercrime
Australian Federal Police
Report cybercrime
Crime Stoppers SA
Phone 1800 333 000
Common Sense Media
A US website with reviews of movies, games and apps.
Healthy children
A US website with an online tool for developing a family screen use plan.
Stay Smart Online Alert Service
A free service for Australian internet users to explain recent online threats and how they can be managed
Australian Council on Children and the Media
Information about children and media, and app review service ‘Know before you load’
Australian Classification
Classification ratings for movies and games
Department for Education
Information for families and students about cyber-safety, bullying and harassment
No Game
Information about simulated gambling in games
Parent Easy Guides
Domestic and family violence
Police - Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
A person at risk of domestic violence can get information about their partner or ex-partner, to help them make decisions about their safety. Apply online or at a police station.
Police – family violence advice
Metropolitan Adelaide - contact your local Family Violence Investigation Section.
In country areas, contact your local police station.
Family Relationships Advice Line
Advice for families affected by relationship or separation issues, including locating dispute providers. Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Saturdays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Phone 1800 050 321
Legal Services Commission
For free legal advice by phone or online chat, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
Phone 1300 366 424
Local domestic violence services
Supported accommodation, outreach and counselling for victims of violence
- Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service - Phone 8365 5033
- Southern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service - Phone 8382 0066
- Western Adelaide Domestic Violence Service - Phone 8268 7700
- Northern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service - Phone 8255 3622
Migrant Women’s Support Program
Support for migrant women and children experiencing family violence
Phone 8152 9260
Nunga Mi:Minar (Northern Region Domestic Violence Service)
Freecall 1800 003 308
Ninko Kurtangga Patpangga (Southern Regional Aboriginal Family Violence Service)
Phone 8297 9644
RSPCA - Safe Kennels DV Project
Provides emergency boarding for pets of people affected by family violence
Phone 1300 477 722
See also:
If you think you are hurting your family
Mensline
Services for men who use violence or abuse in their relationships
Phone 1300 789 978
Uniting Communities
For counselling services and groups
Phone 8202 5190
Relationships Australia
For counselling services
Phone 1300 364 277 or country callers phone 1800 182 325
Parent Easy Guides
Protecting children from sexual abuse
Safe environments for children
Child Abuse Report Line
Phone 13 14 78 (24-hour service) if you think a child is at risk
Kidsafe SA
Children’s safety, including safe car seats.
Phone (08)7089 8554
SIDS and Kids
Safe sleeping for babies.
Phone 8332 1066
Red Nose
Phone 1300 998 698
Information on safe infant sleeping. Phone Crisis Line 1300 799 656
Phone 1300 308 307, 24 hours for bereavement support.
Product Safety Australia - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Information about safe products for babies and children, including safe cots and securing furniture and TVs that can topple over.
Parent Easy Guides
Safe families (Aboriginal Parent Easy Guide)
Keeping Children Safe (many languages)
Sexual abuse of children
If life is in danger, phone 000 (triple zero)
Police attendance: Phone 131 444
Child Abuse Report Line
Phone this services if you think a child may be at risk of violence, abuse or neglect, including Female Genital Cutting, or early or forced marriage.
Phone 13 14 78 (24-hour service)
Child abuse reporting - when to report and what happens next
eSafety Commissioner
For information about keeping children safe online.
Phone 1800 880 176
Crime Stoppers SA
To report crimes including online grooming.
Phone 1800 333 000
ThinkUKnow
Online safety information and to report online grooming to Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
Department for Child Protection
For information on child protection and reporting abuse.
Phone 8124 4185
Parent Easy Guides
Sexuality, gender identity and donor conception
Sexuality, gender identity and donor conception
Sexuality education and resources
(see also: LGBTIQ+)
SHINE SA
All people from diverse cultures, sexual orientations, genders, sexes and abilities are welcome to access information and services. Fact sheets are free to download and may support discussion around puberty, menstruation and other sexual health topics.
Talk soon. Talk often - Department of Health, WA
This free resource has been developed to help parents initiate regular and relaxed conversations with their children about relationships and sexuality education.
‘Talk soon. Talk often. A guide for parents talking to their kids about sex’
Yarning quiet ways - Department of Health, WA
Developed in consultation with Aboriginal families, this document gives tips to parents of young Aboriginal people to help make yarning about sex and relationships a little easier.
Yarning quiet ways - teaching kids to have strong, healthy and safe relationships (PDF 7.1 MB)
Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum - Department of Education
The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) is a respectful relationships and child safety curriculum for children and young people from age 3 to year 12.
Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum information for parents and carers
Online safety for parents and caregivers - eSafety Commissioner
Parent-friendly resource to help keep children safe online, including songs, books, advice, webinars and other resources.
eSafety for parents and caregivers - eSafety Commissioner
Kids Helpline
Phone and online support for children and young people up to 25 years, including about becoming a parent. Online chat is available.
Phone 1800 55 1800 (24-hour service)
Email Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline Online Chat
Raising Children Network
Information in many languages about raising children and young people. Topics include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents
- Baby Development milestones
- Co-parenting
- Multicultural families
- Pregnancy and birth
- Parenting as a teenager
- Rainbow and same-sex families
- Young parents (video - 7 mins)
Gender Identity
Gender Diversity Service - Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Referrals accepted for any child or young person up to age 17 regarding gender identity concerns
Trans Health South Australia
Resources and services.
Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Information on gender dysphoria.
Gender dysphoria - Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
The Gender Centre
TransHub
Information about gender diverse children of all ages.
Transcend
Information, peer support and links to other services for families of transgender children .
Parents of Gender Diverse Children
Peer support, information, referrals and advocacy.
Parents of Gender Diverse Children website
Donor conception: Telling your child
Registered reproductive clinics
Some clinics provide ongoing services for parents and donor-conceived children, young people and adults including how parents can talk with their child, other family members and friends.
SA Register of Assisted Reproductive Treatment Providers
Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority
Resources on telling children about where they came from and talking to other family members/friends. Support groups for parents, including solo mums, as well as donor-conceived adults.
Telling children, family and others
Solo Mums by Choice (SMC)
Donor Conception Network (UK)
Parent-led family support network. ‘Out of Europe’. Annual membership available.
Parent Easy Guides
Children and learning about sexuality
Donor conception: telling your child
Protecting children from sexual abuse
Contact us
Parenting SA
Phone 8303 1660
Email: health.parentingsa@sa.gov.au
Fax: 08 8303 1653
This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © DHS .