Advocacy and Other Support Services
Advocacy for our families
Fairfield City Council (FCC) is committed to making sure children and families access their right to participate as part of their community and access quality services and experiences that are important to them and meet their needs.
What is an advocate?
An Advocate is someone who can help you speak up so that your needs are heard, your rights are understood and your problems are resolved.
Fairstart therapists and teachers will do our best within our roles to support you to advocate for your child and family. Also we encourage you to bring along a family member or friend if you would support in any interactions with us.
If your advocacy needs are greater than what Fairstart can offer, we can support you to access external services to assist you to advocate for your needs.
Here are some organisations with free services that can assist you to advocate for your families’ needs:
Advocacy Supports local to Fairfield
AASS (Autism Advisory Support Service)
The AASS is a local not for profit organisation in Liverpool that works in partnership with individuals with autism, their families and carers, to evaluate, plan and implement appropriate services to support and deliver positive outcomes, including advocacy.
The AASS operate a 24hr Autism hotline to provide support to parents and carers, and their business hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8.30 - 4pm.
1300 222 777 or 9601 2844
https://aass.org.au/
Carer Gateway
The Carer Gateway provides phone counselling for all carers, and can help connect them to helpful supports and services. Business hours are, 8.00am - 6.00pm. Monday - Friday. Their website also has a lot of helpful information for carers, including stories, advice, and respite.
1800 422 737
https://www.carergateway.gov.au/
Wellways
Wellways offers a wide range of services including advocacy, designed to support people affected by disability, mental health issues, as well as their carers, families and friends.
Their website is available in languages, staff can be contacted by phone or email, during business hours 9am-5pm Monday - Friday.
1300 111 400
enquiries@wellways.org
https://www.wellways.org/
Family Advocacy
Family Advocacy formally known as ‘The Institute for Family Advocacy and Leadership Development’ is an independent, impartial advocacy organisation that supports families across New South Wales to promote and defend the rights and interests of people with developmental disability. The organisation is managed and staffed by parents and allies of people with disability, who recognise the issues that people with disability and families face and who can assist in strengthening the advocacy and capacity of families.
Staff can be contacted during business hours Monday - Friday or through the website.
9869 0866 or 1800 620 588
communications@familyadvocacy.com
https://www.family-advocacy.com/
Disability Advocacy (DA)
The DA service is funded to provide independent advocacy by the Commonwealth Department of social services (DSS), and NSW Department of Family and Community Services. Disability Advocacy NSW (DA) can assist people with a disability and their families navigate the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), in a number of important ways, General Advocacy Support, Internal (NDIS) Appeals and External (NDIS) Appeals
1300 365 085 or 4927 0111
https://da.org.au/
Multicultural Disability Advocacy (MDAA)
The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) is the peak body for all people in NSW with disability and their families and carers, with a particular focus on those from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) / non English Speaking (NES) background with disability.
1800 629 072 or 9891 6400
https://mdaa.org.au/
Advocacy supports in NSW
Support Services for Parents and Carers
Carers Australia
Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s carers for all health conditions. It advocates on behalf of carers to influence policies and services at a national level. Services are provided by a network of State and Territory Carers Associations, including counselling, advice, and information.
1800 242 636
https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/
SANE Helpline
The SANE Helpline provides information, guidance and referrals you need to manage your mental health concerns. You can speak to a mental health professional when you ring the SANE Helpline. This Helpline runs from 10.00 am - 10.00pm (AEST).
1800 187 263
https://www.sane.org/
Mental Health Access Line
The MH Access Line is a 24 hours, 7 days a week service operating through all of NSW, where they can connect individuals experiencing mental health concerns, to the right kind of care they may need. Staffed by mental health professionals, the line gives NSW residents access to expert mental health advice, support and referrals for people dealing with a mental health problem and their families and carers. Where appropriate they can put people in contact with the local mental health crisis or acute care team. The Mental Health Line also provides advice about clinical symptoms, the urgency of the need for care and local treatment options for health and care service providers.
1800 011 511
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/Mental-Health-Line.aspx
Lifeline
If you are having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, you can ring Lifeline. They operate 24/7.
13 11 14
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Griefline
GriefLine is Australia’s only dedicated grief helpline service that provides counselling support services free of charge to individuals and families who are experiencing loss and grief, including mental health concerns and carer support. Griefline runs from 12 midday to 3.00am (AEST) 7 days a week.
1300 845 745
https://griefline.org.au/
Get in touch
If you feel therapy could be beneficial for your child, contact us on 9725 0393 today to discuss the best pathway for your family.
You don’t need a referral from a GP or Paediatrician, although this may help offset the cost of therapy.
Fairfield City Council is a registered NDIS and Medicare provider and some families may be eligible for financial support.
Join the Fairstart Early Intervention Waitlist
