Enhance your parenting abilities.

Give your child the best start in life through dedicated support to build the skills and confidence you need as a parent.

Support for families to thrive

Dedicated support to build your skills and confidence as a parent.

If you’re a new parent or are experiencing challenges with raising your family, we offer programs that can help to build your confidence and skills in a safe and supportive environment. We provide information and advice around child/ adolescent development, behaviour management, developing routines, and time management.

We can help if you:

Feel isolated or lack support
Are experiencing mental health concerns
Have financial difficulties
Are involved with child protection
Have children with complex needs
Are experiencing family violence
Are a young parent under 25 years of age.

We offer free short to medium term programs and services tailored to your family’s unique needs.

If you are looking for support to develop your parenting skills and build confidence, we can support you with:

Parenting workshops and events

We offer a range of free parenting workshops, groups and events designed to support parents and carers at every stage of their parenting journey. Our evidence-informed programs provide practical strategies, information and support to help build positive family relationships, strengthen parent-child connections, understand child and adolescent development, and respond to the challenges that can arise as children grow.

Delivered in a welcoming and supportive environment, our parenting workshops provide opportunities to connect with other parents and carers, learn new skills, and build confidence in your parenting.

Programs are available for parents and carers of toddlers, children and adolescents, with sessions offered throughout the year across a range of locations.

Browse our current parenting programs, workshops and events to find practical parenting support available in your area.

Referrals and advice

We offer information and links to other support services in your area, depending on the needs of you and your family. This may include community activities, support groups, accessing interpreters and other specialist services including family violence, drug and alcohol, financial, disability, housing, employment, education and mental health services.

The Orange Door

Eligibility.

Some of these programs require a referral from The Orange Door.

The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children, and young people, who are currently facing or have encountered family violence, as well as families requiring additional assistance with childcare. For more information contact your local Uniting office or visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au to locate your nearest office.

We can support you with

Parenting and Skill Development Groups

These programs provide support and information to help strengthen parent-child relationships and increase development opportunities for children.

Parenting and Skill Development One on One sessions

We provide tailored, one-on-one support that enhances parenting practices and encourages parents to build on family strengths.

Parenting and Skill Development Playgroups

Connect with other parents and experienced support workers to learn and develop parenting skills and confidence to support your child's wellbeing and development.

Skills for young parents

Starting Out – Croydon

Starting Out is an innovative support service to young people 25 years of age or younger who are pregnant or parenting and residing in Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region.

Starting Out also provides a group-based program which focuses on parenting education, attachment-based play activities and building social relationships and connections.

Pregnant and Young Parenting Support – Launceston

If you’re under 25 and pregnant with your first child, we can work with you and your family to build your skills and confidence to keep you safe and connected. We can help you navigate a wide range of issues including financial difficulties, homelessness, interactions with child safety, parenting challenges, or feelings of isolation. Your support could include one-on-one case management, small group activities and community engagement.

Mother Safe, Child Safe Program – Dandenong & Windsor (Prahran)

The Mother Safe, Child Safe (MSCS) Program provides therapeutic group work activities for women and children who are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence. The program operates across two regional streams. The Outer South stream serves families in the Local Government Areas of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia, delivered from the Dandenong office. The Inner South stream supports families in the LGAs of Stonnington, Glen Eira and Port Phillip, delivered from the Windsor office.