Child FIRST
Child FIRST- Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams
For some families, knowing how and where to access the service system is challenging. Professionals may also have difficulty navigating the service system to refer children, young people and families to an appropriate service that will meet their needs
To facilitate access to family services, an identifiable point of entry to services is being established.
Child FIRST sites have been established in 24 sub regional catchments across the state and provide a central, community-based referral point to a range of community based Family Services and other supports.
The primary purpose of Child FIRST is to ensure that vulnerable children, young people and their families are linked effectively into relevant services.
A referral to Child FIRST may be the best way of connecting children, young people and their families to the services they need, where families exhibit any of the following factors that may affect a child's safety, stability or development:
- significant parenting problems that may be affecting the child's development
- serious family conflict, including family breakdown
- families under pressure due to a family member's physical or mental illness, substance abuse, disability or bereavement
- young, isolated and/or unsupported families
- significant social or economic disadvantage that may adversely impact on a child's care or development.
Further Information about Child FIRST
For help in locating Child FIRST please view the following maps: