Every child and young person has the right to be safe and cared for.
When families are struggling or in crisis, kids and young people can be more at risk of harm.
If you think a child or young person you know is being hurt, or not being looked after, you can help them.
They might tell you a situation or a person is making them feel unsafe. Stay calm, listen to their concerns and try not to criticise or judge them.
What you can do to help:
If you think a child or young person you know is in danger now, phone the police on 000 (triple zero).
- If you think a child, young person or their family needs a wellbeing check or police assistance, phone 131 444.
- If you’re worried about a child’s safety and wellbeing, phone the Child Abuse Report Line on 131 478.
- You can also help kids get support and counselling any time of day at Kids Helpline. Phone 1800 55 1800.
ASK can connect you with information, advice and free services in your area to help you:
- deal with kids' behaviour and family relationships
- know what to do if you or someone else is feeling unsafe
- get practical support for families like food, housing and crisis help
- find support for young parents
- get support sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
It is ok to ASK for help. ASK is a safe place.
Information for you
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.
Parenting SA provides quality resources and information on topics to support children, young people and families. The free Parent Easy Guides support parents and caregivers in their important role and offer information on many topics if you are worried about a child or young person.
Guides include:
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:
Carly Ryan Foundation
The Carly Ryan Foundation delivers online safety and health relationship seminars to students and parents. The organisation also provides a range of services around internet safety and crime, cyberbullying, counselling and law reform. The Carly Ryan Foundation is a certified online safety program provider under the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
eSafety Commissioner
eSafety is a government service that helps Australians to take action or make a complaint when they experience online bullying or abuse. eSafety provides a wide range of online safety programs and resources.
Australian Council on Children and the Media
Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) provides evidence-based reviews, information and advocacy to support healthy media choices for children. ACCM provides the Know Before You Go movie review service and the Know Before You Load app review service, both of which describe content and highlight areas that may concern parents.
Kids Helpline
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)
Headspace
Headspace is a free and confidential service for people aged between 12 and 25 to access qualified youth mental health professionals.
You may be having a tough time, or are worried about drug and alcohol use, mental, physical or sexual wellbeing. All services are free and there is no formal referral required.
Phone 1800 650 890
Daniel Morcombe foundation
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation aims to educate children and young people about how to stay safe in physical and online environments and supports young victims of crime.
The Department for Child Protection website can help you learn more about reporting a suspected case of child abuse or neglect.
All serious concerns — where you believe the child is in imminent or immediate danger — must be reported via the Child Abuse Report Line.
Phone 13 14 78
Services for you
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.
The Children and Parenting Support (CaPS) team walks alongside parents and caregivers of children under 12 in Adelaide inner north, west or the Riverland. The team provides opportunities to build stronger connections to family, friends and community.
CaPS offer ‘drop-in’ support groups, programs and courses, school readiness and social-emotional wellbeing groups for children, and family case work.
Anglicare SA Children and Families Services support people from before birth to infancy, toddlers, school-age children, teenagers, young adults, and mums and dads to have strong relationships.
Children’s Services Unit
Children’s Services Unit – offers programs and supports for individuals, families and children.
Response to Abuse
Response to Abuse has different programs and supports for kids, parents, caregivers.
Act for Kids is an Australian charity providing free therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at risk of child abuse and neglect.
Phone 8362 5252
Youth Mental Health Service work with young people from 16 to 24 years of age.
The service helps young people develop the skills and supports they need to manage mental health distress and enjoy the best health possible.
24-hour support
Phone 13 14 65 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Regional Mental Health Services (business hours only)
- Berri - phone 8580 2812
- Ceduna - phone 8626 2108
- Clare - phone 8841 3500
- Gawler/Barossa - phone 8521 2080
- Kadina - phone 8828 1350
- Kingscote - phone 8553 4231
- Mount Barker- phone 8393 1636
- Mount Gambier -phone 8721 1507
- Murray Bridge- phone 8535 6800
- Port Augusta- phone 8668 7800
- Port Lincoln - phone 8683 2083
- Port Pirie -phone 8638 1100
- Victor Harbor - phone 8552 0600
- Whyalla - phone 8644 5130
Country Referral Unit (business hours only)
Phone 1800 003 307
Streetlink Youth Health Service is a free service for people aged. 10 to 25. They can help with health and medical needs, and counselling about alcohol and other drugs.
Streetlink is an inclusive, respectful service for young people from diverse family and culture backgrounds, sexualities, and gender identities.
Phone 8202 5950
Email streetlinkadmin@unitingcommunities.org
The Benevolent Society supports parents and families to raise children in safe and loving environments.
Providing therapies and support for families living in South Australia with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
- intellectual disability
- challenging behaviours.
Services include:
- Music Therapy
- NDIS Support Coordination
- Occupational Therapy
- Positive Behaviour Support
- Speech Pathology
Phone 1800 236 762
Email clientsupport.sa@benevolent.org.au
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)
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)
1800 RESPECT is a national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Phone 1800 737 732 (24-hour service)
Help and support for carers and young carers, including representation and advocacy services.
Online chat is available Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Free phone 1800 242 636 (National Carer Advisory and Counselling Service)
Phone 8291 5600
Email info@carerssa.com.au