Carer support

The ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services has responsibility for a wide range of human services functions in the ACT. We deliver programs and services for the areas of children, youth and family support, disability and therapy, including management of our Child and Family Centres in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong. We also manage the ACT Government's role in multicultural and community affairs, public and community housing services, Concessions Programs, homelessness and community services.

Child and Family Centres Child and Family Centres are part of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services. They offer a range of free services for children and families in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong. The Centres focus on early intervention and prevention in the early years of life and can assist parents with information, support and services for the family. Teams comprising of professionals with expertise in working with children and their families including: social workers, psychologists, early childhood educators, speech pathologists, maternal and child health nurses are available. One on one support programs for families and group programs are offered aiming at building stronger Canberra communities.

Child and Family Centres are located at:

• Gungahlin
  Cnr. Earnest Cavanagh St
  Homeworld Centre and Gungahlin Place
  Ph: (02) 6207 0121
• Tuggeranong
  Level 1
  Greenway
  Ph: (02) 6207 8228

Carers ACT is a community organisation that provides information, counselling, respite, education and support for people who have taken on caring responsibilities.

Torrens Office
1 Torrens Place
Torrens ACT 2607

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre - 1800 242 636*
For information, counselling, education and a free Carer support kit.

Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre - 1800 059 059*
For all your respite enquiries.

Commonwealth Carelink Centre - 1800 052 222*
For information about aged, disability and community services.

FaBRiC provides respite and social support to families living in the ACT who have a child or young person with a disability aged between 0 and 20 years. This includes moderate, severe or profound disabilities of an intellectual, physical, sensory, medical or behavioural nature. The support offered is a short term substitute for the usual care given to children/young people with disabilities by their families to allow them to have a break from their caring responsibilities. FaBRiC's vision is to support and strengthen families by providing opportunities for children/young people and their families that will have long term positive and beneficial outcomes.

Children’s Services ACT Inclusion Support Agency actively promotes the inclusion of every child in all types of Children’s Services programs within the ACT, and works specifically with childcare professionals through a range of support avenues. The ACT Inclusion Support Agency is funded by both the Australian and ACT Governments.

The ACT Inclusion Support Agency specifically focuses its support on enabling access to child care of families who have a child with a disability, who are culturally and linguistically diverse, those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, South Sea Islander, or a Refugee who has experienced torture or trauma. Inclusion Support Facilitators work collaboratively with families, childcare professionals and specialist support agencies to ensure successful inclusion.

We are a non for profit community organisation established in 1990, originally set up as a parent support group for families who had a child with special needs. Today we offer early intervention service to children under school age in the following ways:

• Home visits; Playgroups; Specialised playgroups for children with autism
• Support in preschools
• Assistance with transition to schools
• Small toy library and equipment
• Pool
• Limited speech therapy
• Parent support
• No charge to families attending
• Treehouse centre is opened most mornings.

Local Area Coordination is a new and exciting program that supports local people with disabilities and their families and/or carers in the Woden Valley or Gungahlin areas.

Would assistance in planning for the future be helpful to you?

• We can provide you with accurate and timely information,
• We can support and provide practical assistance to identify and clarify your goals and strengths,
• We encourage and assist with personal advocacy when required

Our service is kept flexible to respond to peoples’ changing needs as they build and pursue their goals and plan for the future.

Local Area Coordination promotes self management, personal advocacy, family support and community development. Support is available to all people with a disability under the age of 65 who are residents of the Woden Valley or Gungahlin areas.

Our offices are located at: