We understand that sometimes families face unique challenges, and Samaritans is here to help. Our services focus on the positives and help you identify and build on your strengths as a family.
Because families are so diverse, we have a range of different services to help you. From counselling and community-based programs through to intensive family support and foster care, we can provide holistic and tailored support.
Resilient children and families form strong communities.
Brighter Futures
An early intervention program that provides support to vulnerable families with children aged 0 to 17. The service is focused on ensuring children can live safely in their homes by helping to address specific problems like domestic and family violence, parental mental health issues and substance misuse.
Who we assist
We assist families with children aged 0-17 or who are expecting a baby.
Services
The Brighter Futures Program provides early support and services that include:
- Home visiting
- Parenting programs
Each family joining the program will actively identify and prioritise their goals for each family member. A case manager will partner with the family to identify what is going well and to build on these strengths.
In addition to support from a Case Manager, a family worker can provide home visits to implement routines and provide knowledge and guidance around healthy ways to parent. Assistance to link in with psychological, drug and alcohol and other counselling and support services is also offered.
Locations
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, NSW.
Child and Parenting Support Service
Children and Parenting Support (CAPS) is an early intervention and prevention program that builds families/ carers capacity to ensure relationships with their children, and their children’s well-being, is improved.
Who we assist
Our Children and Parenting Support Service can assist families who:
- Have children aged 0-6 years (supported play groups)
- Have children aged 0-12 years (individual parenting support)
- Are kinship/relative carers.
Services
Samaritans Children and Parenting Support service offers:
- Individual parenting support – our Child and Parenting Support team can tailor support to meet the individual needs of parents and carers. It may be through visiting your home, in the community or participating in a parenting group activity or program.
- Supported play sessions – our free play sessions are for children aged 0-6. Play sessions may occur community facilities or they may occur in a park, in your home or other suitable local venues. All play sessions are facilitated by experienced educators and offer fun, creative activities for children and parents/ carers.
Locations
Newcastle, Maitland, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Lower Hunter and Coonabarabran, NSW.
The Child Wellbeing Program
A community program for children aged 12 and under offering a safe social space for sharing stories, building resilience, and having fun.
Who we assist
DRUMBEAT can assist schools and community groups in Raymond Terrace and the Hunter.
Services
Participants learn different rhythms as a team and as individuals. There are drumming games to cement the key learning outcomes of the program to;
- Build social and emotional resilience for any age group.
- Support managing change and challenges.
- To build resilience through rhythm.
Locations
Raymond Terrace and the Hunter region, NSW.
HIPPY
HIPPY supports parents and carers in Kempsey to help children make a successful transition to school and beyond.
Who we assist
HIPPY can support families who:
- Hold a Health Care Card
- Have a child who is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Are caring for a child in the Permanency Support Program (foster care)
- Are single parent families
- Speak English as a second language
Are you interested in being part of the HIPPY family? Call us today!
Services
HIPPY is a free two-year program that supports parents and carers to help children make a successful transition to school and beyond.
HIPPY is designed to fit in around daily family life. Parents are asked to spend 10-15 minutes a day doing fun educational activities with their child while a trained HIPPY tutor will meet with families at home each week or fortnight to practice the HIPPY activities.
Location
Kempsey, NSW.
Intensive Family Preservation
Samaritans Intensive Family Preservation aims to maintain each family we work with as a unit and reduce the risk of children entering the Out Of Home Care system.
Who we assist
Intensive Family Preservation can assist families in the Gosford and Wyong Shires.
Services
Through this program, we can offer you:
- Assistance to link in to parenting programs and skills focussed groups
- Practical skills and planning
- Intensive case management
- Refer and liaise with external providers such as community activities, groups, education and training opportunities, skills training etc to meet your needs
Referrals can only be made through Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
Locations
Central Coast, NSW.
Kinship Care
Support for kinship and relative carers.
Who we assist
Our Kinship Care service can assist any kinship/relative carers and their families.
Services
Samaritans provides a number of services to support kinship carers in their important role:
- Case Work Support – a Kinship Care Caseworker can help with information and advice, as well as linking families up with other services such as Centrelink, support groups, childcare, schools, counselling, disability services and programs to support children and young people.
- Training and Workshops – topics can include child development, effects of trauma, supporting teenagers. Our training can be adapted to the group needs and interests.
Locations
Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter regions of NSW.
Start Strong
Support for the educational engagement of aged between 0 – 6 years old children and their families.
Who we assist
Our service can assist families with children aged 0 – 6 years in Taree, Cessnock, Bateau Bay and The Entrance.
Services
Start Strong offers the following services:
- Supported play sessions - flexible, free play sessions for children aged 0-6 in community facilities, in parks, or other suitable local venues. All play sessions are facilitated by experienced educators and offer fun, creative activities for children and parents/carers. They provide are an opportunity to:
- Increase social connectedness and understanding of play based learning and child development,
- Develop parents confidence in meeting the needs of their children and the importance of engagement in main stream early learning services.
- Individual support to navigate opportunities for engagement in educational programs in local communities.
Locations
Mid North Coast, the Central Coast and the Hunter regions of NSW.
Tailored Youth and Family Support
An innovative program that works with children, youth and their families going through challenging times.
Who we assist
Our service can assist families with children aged 7-18 going through challenging times.
Services
Tailored Youth and Family Support can provide the following services:
- Individual counselling for children and youth that can occur in the home or at school.
- Family catch up sessions with support workers to provide support for a particular area of family life and encourage working towards unified goals.
- Parenting support through groups like Circle of Security or Tuning Into Teens to try new ways of communicating with young people.
- After-school group therapy for young people aged 7-12 in Gateshead, Wallsend and surrounding areas that promotes social skills and problem solving.
- In-school group counselling tailored to provide a safe space to explore specific challenges for young people.
- Information and advice on services and resources available to educate families on pre-existing supports and how to find them.
Locations
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, NSW.
Early Intervention and Activities Program
An innovative program that works with children, youth and families going through challenging times.
Who we assist
Our service can assist families with children aged 0-17 years. Young people aged 13-17 can access individual support.
Services
- Case Management.
- Parenting support through groups and programs.
- Information, advice and referrals.
- Education and skills training.
- Engaging adolescents through school groups and programs.
Location
Bateau Bay, NSW.