You and your kids are important and have the right to be safe and supported.
Being a young mum or dad can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
There are a lot of new things to learn and important decisions to make. Having a support system around you — other young parents, family members and community services — can help you and your kids grow in healthy, positive ways.
Reaching out for support before a problem gets bigger can save young parents lots of worry and stress.
It's ok to ASK for help. ASK is a safe place.
As you care for your kids, you’re not alone. There are a lot of services available to help you, but you might not know where to start. Here are some ideas.
Information for you
Metropolitan Youth Health is a free, confidential service in Adelaide that supports young people aged 12 to 25 with their physical, mental, and sexual health.
It focuses on young people who may need extra support, including those who are pregnant or parenting, experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and others facing challenges.
The service works with young people to improve their health, wellbeing, and access to care in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment.
Phone 1800 716 881
Hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Locations
Angle Park, Elizabeth, Christies Beach
Parenting SA provides free, trusted information for parents and carers:
- easy-to-read guides
- videos and webinars
- local workshops
- a directory of services across South Australia.
Get practical tips, skills and connections to help you feel confident and supported as you raise your child.
The Families Growing Together program offers parents and carers a range of face-to-face workshops and online webinars to suit their parenting needs.
For Aboriginal families and communities, a co-design process is used to tailor the workshops.
- My Child and Me – a two-part workshop for parents of children aged 2–12 years
- Living with Young People – a two-part workshop for parents of children aged 12–18 years
- Growing and learning in the family — a two-part workshop to support parents to connect with their child through play
- Coping Skills – a two-part workshop exploring stress and resilience
Delivered in a relaxed and informal style, these workshops and webinars offer parents helpful information and a choice of simple, practical strategies based on the latest parenting research and using information from Parenting SA.
Workshops and webinars are all live and free and are designed to be interactive with videos, activities and time for parents to discuss information together in small groups or through the chat function.
Raising Children Network provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts
Free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help you and your family grow and thrive together, including:
Reach Out have a list of support options for single parents.
They also have an online community to support young people with concerns including being a young mum, mental health, study and work.
Young, Pregnant and Parenting Network supports pregnant and parenting young people from diverse communities and backgrounds to access quality services.
Headspace has information and support about your mental health and wellbeing.
Headspace welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Beyond Blue gives you information and referrals to services for depression and anxiety. Cost of a local call.
Phone 1300 22 4636 (24-hour service)
Learn about parenting and mental health
Flexible learning options (FLO) support young people who are pregnant or parenting or disengaging from school. FLO is provided by the Department of Education. There are schools where young parents can attend with their baby.
Email education.flexiblelearning@sa.gov.au or contact your school.
Centrelink provides payments and services to help with the cost of raising children. You may be eligible for:
- Parenting Payment to provide income support while you’re a young child’s main carer.
- Youth Allowance if you are aged 24 or younger and a student or Australian Apprentice, or 21 or younger and looking for work.
- Education Entry Payment provided once a year when you start study – if you get certain income support from Centrelink.
- Concession and health care cards so you can access cheaper health services and medicines
Centrelink families line - phone 136 150 (Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm)
Services for you
Integrated hubs bring preschool services together with other health, wellbeing and education offerings such as:
- Preschool Plus – providing a preschool program of up to 30 hours per week for 3 and 4-year-olds to improve their learning and development outcomes
- Quality early childhood education care
- Family and child health and development services (like CaFHS, allied health services)
- Family support (parenting programs, playgroups, social-emotional regulation programs).
Additional information
Supporting your child to grow and learn
Child health development checks
Extra support for children who need it most
Free child health and development checks for all children aged 0 to 5 years living in South Australia. Families now have access to more appointment times in more locations, including areas with high demand and regional and remote communities.
Counselling and mediation – offers programs and supports for individuals, families and children
Parenting resources and programs
Domestic Violence services and programs
Ngani Pari-Arra Cultural Centre (formerly the Otherway Centre) – a hub for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) supports all SA families with babies and kids 0 to 5 years. They have a focus on 0 to 3 years and can help you with:
- feeding, settling, children's milestones and development checks
- information and suggestions for parents and caregivers.
CaFHS Parent Helpline gives information and support over the phone to parents and carers of children from birth to five years.
Phone 1300 364 100
CaFHS Early Parenting Groups
Phone 1300 733 606
Early Parenting Groups in your area
These centres offer a range of services bringing together education, health, community development activities and services for families.
Services may include:
- preschools
- long day care
- occasional care
- playgroup
- programs to support families with children from birth to school age.
Strong Families, Strong Communities provides earlier help and support to families who may be experiencing family violence, alcohol and other drug use, mental or physical health concern or housing stress.
The service supports families with children of all ages, from pre-birth to adolescence, providing tailored support to:
- families with infants at risk
- young parents
- adolescents with complex trauma
- Aboriginal families with multiple and complex needs
- culturally and linguistically diverse families (CALD).
Find a provider for help and support on the Department of Human Services website.
Metropolitan Youth Health is a free, confidential service in Adelaide that supports young people aged 12 to 25 with their physical, mental, and sexual health.
It focuses on young people who may need extra support, including those who are pregnant or parenting, experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and others facing challenges.
The service works with young people to improve their health, wellbeing, and access to care in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment.
Phone 1800 716 881
Hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Locations
Angle Park, Elizabeth, Christies Beach
Anglicare SA Children and Families Services supports people from before birth to infancy, toddlers, school-age children, teenagers, young adults, and mums and dads to have strong relationships.
Elm Place offers support services to people whose lives have been affected by institutional and out-of-home care.
Post-Care Support Services (PCSS)
Post-Care Support Services (PCSS) is a free, information, advocacy, case management and counselling service to support people who have lived in out-of-home care
Phone 1800 188 118
Email elmplace@rasa.org.au
Be part of a supportive group and learn more about parenting.
The Young Parent Project is a group-based program that offers information on a wide range of topics, support from peer mentors and connection with other young parents.
The program is offered for two groups, parents aged 25 years and under, and parents aged 15 years and under.
The program runs for 16 weeks with free lunch and creche provided.
Location: Hackham Community Centre (Junction), 72 Collins Parade, Hackham SA 5163
Phone: 0427 091 713
Someone to talk to
Parent Helpline South Australia is for parents of children 0 to 5 living in South Australia.
Phone 1300 364 100 (24-hour service)
The Women's Information Service provides information to South Australian women.
They do this:
- online
- over the phone
- in person at their shopfront in the city.
WIS aims to increase access to information that promotes choice and empowerment. They offer an anonymous service.
Free phone 1800 188 158
Phone 8303 0590
Shopfront: 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Kids Helpline provides help and support for young people aged 5 to 25 years (and their parents/caregivers) and is staffed by professional counsellors. Online chat is available.
Phone 1800 55 1800 (24-hour service)
If life is in danger, phone 000 (triple zero)
Mensline Australia offers free professional telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationship, stress and wellbeing.
Phone 1300 78 99 78 (24-hour service)