First Steps Parenting Centre

About First Steps Parenting Centre

First Steps Parenting Centre is a parenting service for parents with children aged 0-5 years. Families referred to the centre have multiple issues impacting on parenting or likely to adversely affect child health outcomes.

The centre provides intensive multidisciplinary support to families experiencing parenting difficulties, or where their own health and lifestyle issues are affecting and impacting on parenting.

First Steps Parenting Centre is family centred and support people are encouraged to attend with the family. Interventions are tailored to each individual family according to their particular needs and beliefs.

The service provides a combination of home and centre-based activities to support families with the many issues that can confront their parenting.

What services are provided?

First Steps Parenting Centre provides multidisciplinary interventions to family and group programs. Groups include:

Post-natal depression group
Adolescent parents groups
Music Groups
Individual services are provided to families both at the centre and in the home

Do I need a referral and how do I make an appointment?

Referrals are accepted from health professionals and community organisations that have seen the client within the last four weeks. We accept referrals for families with children aged 0 - 5 years where there are multiple issues impacting on parenting. Self referrals are not accepted.

Each referral is discussed by the team at a weekly allocation meeting. A letter is then sent to the family requesting they contact the service within a week if they wish to proceed with the referral. There is a waiting list; however the usual time frame is approximately 4 - 8 weeks. Breast feeding difficulties and little babies are given priority, generally seen within 1 - 3 weeks.

Location and contact details

Address:        Lowrey Lane, Wallsend Campus, Wallsend 2287
Postal:            PO Box 119, Wallsend 2287
Phone:            (02) 4924 6550
Fax:                 (02) 4924 6555
Hours:            Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm
Fees:            There is no cost for this service
Wheelchair Access:     There is wheelchair access to the service