What family support services do

Family support services are helping families sooner, supporting them to provide a safe family environment for children to grow and thrive, reducing the need for child protection services.

Family and Child Connect (FaCC)

Family and Child Connect (FaCC)

Family and Child Connect are free services provided by community organisations. They help families, community members and professionals find the right services for families at the right time. Getting help early prevents families who are experiencing vulnerability needing child safety involvement.

The role of Family and Child Connect is to assess the needs of a family and help link them to local services that best meet their needs. Families, community members and professionals seeking assistance can all contact Family and Child Connect to discuss their concerns and the supports that are available.

Family and Child Connect Services enquiries closed

Source: Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

What is being counted

  1. Data is for the year ending the reference date (12 months of data).

  2. Counts the number of enquiries closed for Family and Child Connect during the reporting period.

  3. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: A family is identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander if one or more people attached to the case are identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

  4. Non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: A family where no people attached to the case are identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status is unknown.

Definition notes

  1. Enquiry closed: Once an enquiry is completed and the type of response required is determined the enquiry is closed. These response types can include: 

    • provision of information and advice
    • provision of referral information
    • active engagement with the family required
    • report to Child Safety.

  2. Family and Child Connect: Family and Child Connect (FaCC) are funded non-government community-based intake and referral services that helps families to care for and protect their children at home. Family and Child Connect support vulnerable families by assessing their needs and connecting them with appropriate support services.