Family Support options

Support can be found in many ways and can take some time to find the right fit. This can sometimes feel overwhelming as there are so many great options. Finding the right service for you should feel safe, culturally appropriate and manageable.

Support in the community

Some common challenges that families face in the community involve conflict, financial hardship, employment, and education. This can lead to other challenges and can impact the wellbeing of the family. There are safe, culturally appropriate services that can help families target these challenges to improve their wellbeing.

Your trusted GP can provide further advice on appropriate referrals
The Orange Door: 1800 271 045 https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/
Headspace Werribee: support for young people and may offer family support workers 8001 2366
The Raising Children Network: providing support for parents and carers with evidence-based resources for children and young people from pregnancy through to 18 years
Parent Zone: https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/our-services/family-and-parenting-support/parentzone/ - courses and programs designed to support parents and carers to strengthen their parenting skills
Wyndham Youth Services: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/youth-services - offers assistance with the care and wellbeing of children and young people, including support for parents in the Wyndham area
Hobsons Bay Youth Services: https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-services/YS-Young-people/YS-Parents-and-families/YS-Tuning-in-to-Teens The Orange Door - offers assistance with the care and wellbeing of children and young people, including support for parents in the Hobsons Bay area
Family Relationships Advice Line:
1800 050 321 https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line
Relationships Australia: free counselling and many online resources https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/
Drummond Street Services: https://ds.org.au/ - provide inclusive, compassionate, and practical support for individuals and communities navigating personal challenges and systemic barriers.
MacKillop Family Services: https://www.mackillop.org.au/about-mackillop - they provide a variety of services with the aim of empowering and supporting families and helping children to thrive.
Tuning into Teens: a free program for supporting parents. In person and online options available. Here are some places that offer it:
- https://www.mackillop.org.au/programs/parenting-workshops
Food bank Australia: they provide food relief to Victorians across the state. We have food available through this service that helps to provide our students with healthy food for our breakfast club, and break times - They have many locations across Victoria, with our local centres being Point Cook and Altona
Point Cook location: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/directory/point-cook-food-bank
Altona location: https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-directory/Foodbank-Victoria

Support at school

The Wellbeing team at Homestead Senior Secondary College are available to provide support to students who are struggling with their mental health that may be impacting their learning.

We are available to have a chat if you need support and can help families connect with services in the community by making referrals to selected community services.

Please use these referral forms if you are a student wanting support or a parent wanting someone to check in with your young person.

Student:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11lDLqrTOoIJvVPEkwQqDRL_4uty6uDgKidWvVaYbwLM/edit

Parent:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1otrHrOEqGz86HgmbhpZHl9hRe_geCWTfrL6r-MT4bfg/edit

Rhythm to recovery program

The Wellbeing team at Homestead Senior Secondary College is running a social and emotional development program, based on the Rhythm2Recovery model of experiential music and cognitive reflection. This program will involve participants playing rhythmic music (drums) and discussing relevant themes that facilitate social and emotional awareness and education.

This format has been evaluated through a number of research studies and is strongly evidence based. Research has validated the use of this method to support the development of a wide range of social and emotional skills that promote general wellbeing and improve relationships.

This program will be run by Emma Howarth, Mental Health Practitioner and supported by Bethany Collier, Wellbeing Counsellor.

Please use this link to express your interest in the program: https://forms.gle/b85Rufe3ggzLPdaV6

For more information: The Rhythm2Recovery Model - Rhythm2Recovery

Food Bank Support

We know that life can be full of unexpected twists, and every family hits a busy patch now

and then. At Homestead, looking out for one another is at the heart of what we do. We want to make sure all of our students, and their families feel supported, cared for, and connected.

Thanks to some wonderful community partnerships, we have regular supplies of some household pantry staples available to share with our school families. If a bit of extra help

with some household groceries would make things easier for your family right now, we are happy to offer complimentary food hampers.

To request a hamper, please fill out this quick form and we will arrange a time for you to pick it up from reception. No explanations or extra details needed.

Please note: Our food hampers are pre-packed with generous donations from our community partners to support as many families as possible. They, unfortunately, cannot be customised for individual dietary, allergen, or cultural needs because they are prepared in advance with a selection of non-perishable items. If severe food allergies are a concern for your household, please double-check product labels upon collection. We appreciate your understanding.

We are all in this together, these resources are here for our whole school community.

The wellbeing team at Homestead are available for any questions or enquiries for support.

Bethany Collier, Emma Howarth, Lauren Romanczukiewicz , Bec Collins, Katie Jaz

Homestead Beanies & Uniform

Every day Matters