Children and family

Our role is to provide support and assistance to ensure every child gets the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Child and family services is a major focus for our organisation. kidzspace at 19 Helm Street in Kangaroo Flat is the heart of our child and family services as the first centre of its type in regional Australia. Can we help you?

What services do you offer?

We offer a wide range of services designed to cater for most issues faced by children and families. Our trained and dedicated staff are committed to helping you cope with issues that arise during family life.

Our main child and family support programs are:

Family Services - helping families identify what's important to them and their children and develop a clear plan of action and support them to reach their goal.
Early intervention - caring for families with children 0-7 with a developmental delay or disability.
Child health invest program - helping children with complex behaviours, developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder and much more
Loddon Children's Health & Wellbeing Local - COMING SOON

Family Services

Raising children can be hard work and almost everyone’s experience is different. Our Family Services team works with you to help your family make positive changes.

A Family Services Practitioner will help families identify what is important to them and their children, develop a clear plan of action and support the family to reach their goals.

Some examples of how Family Services can help include:

Helping parents identify their goals with regard to their own and their family’s needs.
Supporting parents with their parenting skills and strategies to increase parenting confidence.
Providing parents with information about setting boundaries, implementing consequences and maintaining routines for their children.
Supporting parents to discuss their individual or family needs by using other services which may be able to help.
Provide information, education, advocacy and resources which may help.

We will talk with you about achieving your goals, and help you get there.

You can access our Family Services team by contacting The Orange Door on 1800 512 359 to talk about your concerns and ask for a referral. If you need more information call our Kangaroo Flat site at 19 Helm Street on 5406 1200 between 9am and 5pm.

If you are facing an emergency, call 000 immediately.

Find out more about our family support program and how you can get involved.

Early Intervention

This family-based program cares for children under school age (0-7 years) with a developmental delay or disability.

The program will provide you with information, support and resources, individual programs, group sessions, support to families and children in the transition process to pre-school or school, occupational therapy, specialist teaching, speech pathology and more.

Find out more about our Early Intervention program and how you can get involved.

Child Health Invest Program

This children’s health and wellbeing service responds to the needs of children with

complex behaviours,
developmental delays,
Autism Spectrum Disorder
and much more.

A current referral from your general practitioner is needed to access the paediatricians.

If you do not have a current referral or your referral is out of date we will need to reschedule your appointment until we get a current referral from your GP or health professional. Please make sure you have a current referral well in advance of your appointment to avoid any delay. We appreciate your support with this.

Find out more about this program.

smalltalk supported playgroups

smalltalk supported playgroups are for families of children under five. To find out more, and check if you're eligible to attend click here.

What is your position on child safety?

Bendigo Community Health Services values children from all backgrounds and is committed to making our community a safe, nurturing and welcoming place for children to grow and develop. We are committed to making sure all children reach their individual potential. To read our Statement of Commitment to Child Safety in full click here

What do you offer for the NDIS?

The state government has registered BCHS to deliver several services under the NDIS? To go to our NDIS page please click here

Do you offer day care?

We offer high-quality childcare as part of our Family Day Care program. Family Day Care is provided in the homes of approved educators who are supported by our organisation.

Home-based child care provides learning and development in a safe, secure and stimulating home environment for babies and children up to 12 years of age.

Family Day Care replicates a home setting which is very similar to your own home. Your child will get consistency through being cared for by one educator. The children in Family Day Care are in small groups of four pre-school and up to three primary school aged children. This is designed to allow your child to receive developmental and quality care in line with their unique ability.

Find out more about our family day care program.

My child seems to be having trouble with their feet?

Our paediatric podiatry service is available for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.

The service provides assessment and management of a range of conditions involving the foot and lower limb, including specific foot concerns, foot or leg pain or unusual gait (walking pattern).

A current referral is required from your doctor or other health service provider to access this service, which is provided at our Kangaroo Flat site.

There is a $10 fee for the first appointment and each review appointment.

There is a $15 fee for joint appointments with the paediatric physiotherapist.

Find out more about our child podiatry service.

Do you offer a physiotherapy service for children?

Our paediatric physiotherapy service is available for children and adolescents up to 14 years of age.

The service provides assessment and management of a range of conditions involving development, co-ordination or the musculoskeletal system.

A referral is required from your doctor or other health service provider to access this service. The service is provided at our Kangaroo Flat site

There is a $10 fee for the first appointment and each review appointment.

There is a $15 fee for joint appointments with the podiatrist in our paediatric allied health team.

I’m worried about my child’s mental state

Our Psychological Treatment Services is specifically designed for children aged under 12 years. PTS provides short term, goal focussed psychological strategies for children presenting with mild to moderate mental health issues.

For more information on this service or referrals call BCHS on 5406 1200 and ask for Andrew Grose or Janaya Wiggins. Fax referrals to 5430 0544.

I’m having trouble coping as a parent

If you feel there are challenges in your life that you are struggling to deal with it’s important to know you are not alone. Many people feel this way when faced with difficult situations or life pressures.

It’s important to seek help if you, a partner, family member, friend, work colleague or school mate are feeling fragile, alone, stressed, conflicted, sad or vulnerable.

Book or learn more about our counselling services.

Our Family Support Program can also provide you with valuable help.

Where do I get support for my child who is LGTBIQ?

You may wonder if your child identifies as LGBTIQ+. It can be quite confusing and confronting as their support person. If you’re in doubt, or need some support, get in touch with us for a free and confidential appointment on 5406 1200 or call headspace Bendigo on 5434 5345 if your child is aged 12 to 25.

Read our LGTIQ+ page for more information.

Being a new mum is a real challenge, how can you help me?

Being a new mum can be a challenging time, particularly for those in difficult circumstances.

Cradle to Kinder is a specialist service that offers early parenting support and advice to vulnerable young mothers and their children that starts during pregnancy and continues until the child is four years old (usually when kindergarten begins).

Cradle to Kinder aims to build positive parent-child relationships and give young families the skills and support necessary to raise healthy children in positive and loving environments.

To learn more about the Cradle To Kinder program click here

Do you offer legal advice for families?

We have a great Health Justice Partnership with the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre which sees a lawyer based at our Kangaroo Flat site three days a week to help parents and families engaged with our services to deal with legal situations.

This free legal service works alongside your child and family services team to help you with legal situations that could be affecting your health and wellbeing.

Where can I get other help and information?

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpine offers support for kids, teens, parents, carers and teachers. Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, round the clock phone and online counselling service catering for people aged five to 25.

To learn more about Kids Helpline visit www.kidshelpline.com.au