CHILDREN'S
SUPERVISED
CONTACT
CENTRE
SUPERVISED CONTACT CENTRE
Keeping Kids Connected
Helpful Phone Numbers
LIFELINE 24/7
Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention
Ph: 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
SANE
10am - 10pm Mon-Fri AEST
Mental Health & Trauma Support
Ph: 1800 187 263
www.sane.org
BEYOND BLUE 24/7
Mental Health Support
Ph: 1300 224 636
www.beyondblue.org.au
SUICIDE CALL BACK SERVICE 24/7
Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention
Ph: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
ABORIGINAL FAMILY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
Mon - Thurs 8am - 6pm
Information for Aboriginal victims of crime about victims' rights and how to access counselling and financial assistance
Ph: 1800 019 123
www.victimsservices.justice.nsw.gov.au
MENS' REFERRAL SERVICE 24/7
Assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence and would like help
Ph: 1300 766 491
www.ntv.org.au
NSW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LINE 24/7
Counselling, Advice, Emergency Accomodation, Legal Support & Medical Services for Women
1800 656 463
www.facs.nsw.gov.au/domestic-violence/helpline
MENSLINE AUSTRALIA 24/7
Support, Counselling, Referrals & Help for Men
Ph: 1300 789 978
www.mensline.org.au

QLIFE
7 days 3pm-12pm
LGBTIQ Online & Phone Peer Support & Referrals
Ph: 1800 184 527
www.qlife.org.au
FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION LEGAL SERVICE
Culturally sensitive assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim/survivors of family violence and sexual assault incl. court support, child protection, information and referral services
Contact via email to:
eo-nfvpls@qifvls.com.au
www.nationalfvpls.org/
RELATIONSHIPS AUSTRALIA 24/7
Relationship Support Services for Individuals, Families & Communities
Ph: 1300 364 277
www.relationships.org.au
1800RESPECT 24/7
Sexual Assault, Domestic & Family Violence
Ph: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au
FAMILY DRUG SUPPORT AUST. 24/7
Telephone Support for families of drug users
Ph: 1300 368 186
www.fds.org.au
KIDS HELPLINE 24/7
A free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for children, teens & young adults aged 5-25.
Ph: 1800 551 800
www.kidshelpline.com.au
LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE
Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat - 10am to 4pm
Closed Sundays & Public Holidays
Free & simple legal advice & information to families going through separation
Ph: 1800 050 321
www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line
WOMENS' LEGAL SERVICE
Tues 1:30 - 4:30, Thurs 9:30 - 12:30
Advice, information, casework and legal education on family law and family violence matters for women.
Ph: 1800 801 501
www.wlsa.org.au
Handy Factsheets
Relevant Research
Long Hours & Longings
Strazdins, L., Baxter, J. A. and Li, J. (2017)
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This study shows that very long hours, non-standard work times and work pressures have a significant impact on how children view time spent with their father. It also shows that a child’s view about their father’s work demands tends to tally with their father’s: that they share the same sentiment.
Fathers who use violence: Options for Safe Practice where there is Ongoing Contact with Children
Humphreys, C. & Campo, M. (2017)
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This paper responds to the challenge that arises when women and children may not be in a position to separate from their abusive and violent partners, and when women and children’s wellbeing and safety may not be enhanced by separation.
Couple Relationships -
Then & Now
by Qu, Lixia (2020)
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This report presents a snapshot of the changes reporetd in couple relationships since 1980 and includes facts and figures on the decline in marriage, increasing age of marriage, rise and fall in divorce rates and increasing support for same sex partnerships and marriage in Australia.
What Contributes to Placement Moves in Out of Home Care?
by Farrugia, C. & Joss, N. (2021)
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This review found that a number of factors are likely to increase the risk of a placement move and reduce the duration of first placement. Key factors include the age at which a child first enters OOHC and the presence of externalising behaviour, particularly where carers feel at risk.
Issues for the Safety and Wellbeing of Children in Families with Multiple and Complex Problems:
The Co-Occurrence
of Domestic Violence,
Parental Substance Misuse, and Mental Health Problems
Bromfield, L., Lamont, A. Parker, R., Horsfall, B. 1300 045 020.
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This paper investigates the separate impacts of parental substance misuse, domestic violence and parental mental health problems. It presents evidence regarding the extent to which these problems co-occur and a discussion of the wider context of exclusion and disadvantage, its causes and its consequences.
Family Relationships and Mental Illness: Impacts and Service Responses
Robinson, E., Rodgers, B, Butterworth, P. 1300 045 020
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This paper gives a brief overview of mental health problems, including types and prevalence, causes of mental illness, and family-related risk and protective factors.
The impact of mental health problems on family relationships and family dynamics will be explored, including the role of carers and relationship issues resulting from, or contributing to, the presence of a mental health problem.
Children's Contact Services: Key Issues
Commerford, J., Hunter, C. 1300 045 020
Copyright - Commonwealth of Australia
This paper identifies the characteristics of families using CCS's, and key issues in service provision that were identified through a search of Australian and international literature.
The issues focused on are: understanding the best interests of children in the context of CCSs; the challenges in working with families to move to self-management of their parenting time; and the potential benefits of an integrated social services model as a strategy for addressing these issues.
Tweens and teens:
What do they worry about?
Vassallo, S. & Swami, N. (2018)
Copyright - Ausrt. Inst. of Family Studies
This study uses data from children aged 10–11 and 12–13 to examine the issues that concern Australian children and whether these worries change as young people move from being ‘tweens’ to teens.
Comparisons are made between girls and boys, children from different family and cultural backgrounds and those living in country and city areas.
This information may be helpful for parents and educators to support children and teens as they move through adolescence
Recommended Podcasts
Couples Therapy
Relationships aren't the sole topic in this delightful celebrity interview show from married comedians Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman (or "Jewboo," as Ekperigin calls him).
But they regularly answer listeners' relationship-related advice questions, and often welcome another couple
as guests.
The High Conflict Co-Parenting Podcast
Co-Parenting is the relationship that never ends. If your ex is difficult to deal with, if you are experiencing high-conflict and/or the children are being hurt by the behavior of your ex partner, then this podcast is for you. Learn principles, tools and techniques to create peace in high conflict co-parenting relationships.
Co-Parenting Past Chaos
Two courageous women discuss the trials, tribulations, and triumphs they encounter while attempting to build a positive co-parenting relationship. Sharing the same husband (April is the wife of Loren’s ex-husband), together they co-parent six children. This podcast advocates for better communication and putting the needs of your children above your own.
Where Should We Begin?
With Esther Perel
In each episode, a different couple sits down to spill the details of their troubled relationship. As listeners, we get to learn something as we eavesdrop on real life counselling and therapy sessions.
Happy Families
with Dr Justin Coulson
Designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Learn practical tips for a common sense approach to parenting. Dr Coulson uderstands and appreciates the challenges of parenting and offers real advice to help you make your family happier.
Love Over Addiction
If you love someone who struggles with addiction, you’re not powerless over this disease. You don’t need to wait for your loved one to get better to start to feel joy, happiness, and love. If you feel exhausted from trying to help, depressed when they start using again and worried this roller coaster ride will never end, this podcast can help you find answers, and hope.
Parental As Anything
With Maggie Dent
Tips and answers to your real-world parenting dilemmas, be it screen time, tantrums, building resilience, homework and more. This is a common sense, relatable, practical guide to raising kids of all ages today.
The Adult Chair
with Michelle Chalfant
The Adult Chair is a manual for life — a path for better relationships, more self-love and compassion and as well as greater peace and joy every day. Using an integrated approach, you recognize how all of your life experiences have shaped you — and then use that awareness to regain control.
The Good Divorce
If you are contemplating divorce, or in the middle of a fight you never wanted to have, then this podcast is for you. ABC journalist, Tamara Oudyn, explores what it takes to have a good divorce. Hear heartfelt advice on how to keep things amicable from top experts and those who have pulled it off. It is irreverent, honest, funny, sometimes heartbreaking but always informative. Warning: There will be swear words. Nobody gets through divorce without swearing. A lot.
Recommended Reading
Book Recommendations Coming Soon
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which Hope Family Cottage's services are provided. We pay our respect to Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging, and thank them for caring for the land, water and sky where where we work and where our families meet.
Hope Family Cottage services are provided on, and always will be provided on, Aboriginal land.
Hope Family Cottage is proud to
support
the Iris Foundation.
Hope Family Cottage thanks Bendigo Bank Wyong for grant funding towards our vehicle.
Hope Family Cottage is happy to be
a Boutique Sista
