Family Connect and Support
Family Connect and Support (FCS) is a statewide voluntary service offering supports and services to families as early as possible to keep children and young people safe and well.
It provides a soft entry point and connection to the service system for families experiencing vulnerabilities or who require some level of support.
FCS assists families who may be experiencing issues or concerns including financial, parenting, substance use, mental health, domestic and family violence, housing and homelessness by connecting them to the right supports for them.
FCS is an early intervention service that helps families to identify their strengths and address underlying issues and needs, from a holistic perspective, before problems escalate.
FCS builds on the service features of its predecessor NSW Family Referral Services to include:
- Case planning and coordination
- Outreach into universal settings
- Service delivery targeted to priority groups including Aboriginal families, families with children aged 0–5 years, and children and young people affected by mental illness.
- Service responses tailored to family need.
Who provides Family Connect and Support?
Name of FCS Service Provider/Partnership | Area |
|---|---|
| Uniting (NSW.ACT) | Western NSW and Far West |
| Uniting (NSW.ACT) in partnership with South Western Sydney Local Health District | South Western Sydney |
| 54 Reasons | Murrumbidgee |
| South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | Illawarra Shoalhaven |
| The Benevolent Society | Hunter, Central Coast and New England |
| Barnardos Australia | Western Sydney, Nepean Blue Mountains, Sydney and South Eastern Sydney |
| Barnardos Australia in partnership with CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay | Northern Sydney |
| Social Futures | Northern NSW |
| Social Futures in partnership with Pathfinders Ltd | Mid North Coast |
| Mackillop Family Services in partnership with Marymead | Southern NSW |
What you need to do
Referrals can be made by contacting the local FCS provider. Find out the contact details of the FCS provider in your area.
You can also make an initial enquiry to a local FCS provider through Family Connect and Support website. Simply find the FCS provider here, click on the ‘find a provider’ button to start your enquiry.
The local FCS provider will contact you or the person you have nominated to discuss the enquiry and how they can support the family’s needs and preferences.
More information
For more information, please see the new Family Connect and Support website and read our Frequently Asked Questions. You can email us at FamilyConnectandSupport@dcj.nsw.gov.au as well.