Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Supporting the Wellbeing of Families and Children

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Robert McClelland MP, Attorney-General

Seventy-five new services will open across Australia this year to support the wellbeing of families and children.

“I would like to congratulate the organisations selected to operate these valuable services which will not only benefit families but also the wider community,” Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.

The new services include 25 Family Relationship Centres which will bring the national network to 65. Family Relationship Centres are a first point of contact for people wanting information, advice and assistance with strengthening family relationships, preventing separation or resolving relationship difficulties after separation. The Centres offer dispute resolution for families who are undergoing separation.

Fourteen Children’s Contact Services will enable the safe transfer of children and supervised visits when families separate. Fourteen Post Separation Cooperative Parenting services will provide education programs to help separated parents understand the impact their disputes can have on their children.

Twenty-two new early intervention services will provide individuals and families with the skills, education and counselling to develop and strengthen family relationships and prevent family breakdown.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs , Jenny Macklin, today said the early intervention centres will complement the new Family Relationship Centres and Post Separation Services, offering an integrated approach to providing assistance at any point in the relationship cycle.

“The new services will be placed in areas of need and be available to anyone requiring assistance with family relationships, including information and referral, education and skills training counselling and Men and Family Relationships Services,” Ms Macklin said.

The organisations invited to begin funding negotiations were recommended through the 2007-08 Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP) Selection Process. A list of the successful organisations is attached.