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Services you can reach out to this holiday season

What can I do if I am concerned about children or young people over the holiday period? School holidays are often a time for children and families to take a break from their daily routines and spend more time together. Relationships are complex and challenging at the best of times, and more time together can sometimes result in more conflict. As teachers and other professionals engaged in child-related work, many of us will worry about the children we work with over the holiday period. This guide provides tips and resources for parents, carers and families to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in their care during the school holidays. This includes services to reach out to if more support is needed. However, if you have immediate concerns relating to the safety, welfare and well-being of a child, or young person, it is important to make a report to the Department of Communities and Justice on 132 111.

Office of Safeguarding December 11, 2024

Resources for Parents 

Below are some additional resources available to parents at any time of the year. 

Family Relationship Advice Line | Family Relationships Online

Contact number: 1800 050 321

Website: https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line

The Family Relationship Advice Line can provide advice about separation, parenting arrangements, conflict resolution and the family law system.

ParentLine NSW 

Contact number: 1300 1300 52

Website: www.parentline.org.au

Parentline NSW is available to talk to about almost anything related to parenting or raising a child. They can provide advice on behaviour management, family relationships, children's development and much more. 

Counsellors will assist families to access any services or information that may be of use to their circumstances.

1800RESPECT

Contact number: 1800 737 732

Website: www.1800respect.org.au  

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. 

Support is available in 28 languages.

Reach Out for Parents

Website: One-on-one support | ReachOut Australia

Reach Out for parents provides free professional coaching for parents and carers of 12-18 year olds in Australia.

Beyond Blue

Website: https://beyondblue.org.au

Beyond Blue hsa a range of mental health services available for adults accessible at any hour. 

 

Resources for Youth

Remember, young people are most likely to turn to each other for support before seeking out an adult or service provider.

Young people can support each other by:

  • Contacting 000 if a friend needs urgent assistance or is at risk of harming themselves or others
  • Reaching out to a friend, offering support and letting them know you care

  • Letting their friend know they may need to tell a trusted adult about their concerns.

WOAH: What's OK At Home | Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRCV)

Website: https://woah.org.au/

A website with interactive resources to help children and young people understand what family violence is, why it happens, how to recognise it and how to help others who are experiencing it.

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is available for free, private help:

  • Call 1800 55 1800 – available 24/7
  • Chat online – available 24/7

If it’s not an emergency, headspace can also help with qualified professionals ready to help:

  • Call 1800 650 890 – available Mon-Sun, 9am-1am AEST
  • Chat online – available Mon-Sun, 9am-1am AEST

The Youth Directory

Website: Youth Refuge Directory (NSW) — Caretakers Cottage

The Youth Directory is a free directory for crisis accommodation services for teens in NSW.  The directory includes up-to-date contact details for all crisis accommodation services for young people under the age of 18, as well as contact details for Child Protection Services (Family and Community Services, Juvenile Justice, Police Youth Liaison Officers). It is free and can be ordered here - Youth Refuge Directory (NSW) — Caretakers Cottage

Suicide Call Back Service

Contact number: 1300 659 467

Website: www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service is available for online, phone and video counseling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts.

Youth Beyond Blue

Website: https://beyondblue.org.au

Youth Beyond Blue is a mental health support for children between 12-25.

 

Young people and their parents may also benefit from knowledge of the following E-Safety Resources:

Children and parents can report illegal and restricted content to E-Safety to help remove it from online spaces.

Removing images online:

  • If you’re 18 or older, you can use StopNCII.org – a free online tool that prevents your image or video from being shared on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bumble, OnlyFans and Reddit.
  • If you’re under 18, you can use takeitdown.ncmec.org – a free online tool that prevents your image or video from being shared on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bumble, OnlyFans and Pornhub.

 

Further resources:

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