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O’Connell Family Centre

Canterbury, Victoria

Overview

Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre is one of three early parenting centres in Victoria. We run residential, day and community programs working with families with children from birth to four years of age. We are a publicly funded facility.

Your child’s early years are important in their development. We understand it can be hard work and tiring. However, this can also be one of your most rewarding times as a parent. We want to help you learn more about being a parent and how you can help your child develop.

Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre is one of three early parenting centres in Victoria. We run residential, day and community programs working with families with children from birth to four years of age. We are a publicly funded facility. Your child’s early years are important in their development. We understand it can be hard work and tiring. However, this can also be one of your most rewarding times as a parent. We want to help you learn more about being a parent and how you can help your child develop.

We offer the following services for families:

Families are referred to the centre by health professionals or community providers. Partners are encouraged to attend the programs. There is a wait list for all of our services.

Our clinical team consists of maternal and child health nurses, nurses, midwives, enrolled nurses, early childhood workers, a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

There are admission criteria for our programs, and some families may not be able to come to our services. If this is the case, you will be given information on other places to get help.

Day Stay Program

Our Day Stay Program provides support and education over one day. The program aims to enhance your parenting capacity and improve your skills. The program is held every week.

Families need to be referred by a health professional or a community provider. After we receive your referral, your needs will be assessed and you will be offered the program that suits you best.

Residential Program

The Residential Program gives you the chance to work through various issues that are worrying you and may be affecting your parenting. The program involves a four-night stay for families. You will be responsible for all aspects of your child or children’s care during your admission. You will be supported by staff to help you make changes and build your confidence.

Families must be referred by a health professional or a community provider to participate in the Residential Program.

During the program a number of educational sessions are held on the following topics:

  • normal infant and child development
  • toddler behaviour
  • self care
  • sleeping and child cues
  • emotional wellbeing
  • reading activities with your child
  • play sessions and fun activities.

We also offer Wednesday play activities for you, your partner and child.

A Babies, Blokes and BBQ session designed just for dads is held on Wednesday evening. Fathers are encouraged to attend.

Parenting Education Workshops

We provide Parenting Education Workshops for families with children up to four years of age. You do not need a referral for these workshops.

The parenting workshops include information on:

  • adjusting to parenting and family relationships
  • feeding and nutrition, including breastfeeding and the introduction of solids
  • health, growth and the development of children
  • early behavioural difficulties
  • sleeping and settling.

PlaySteps Program

An eight-week parenting program that focuses on enhancing relationships between children and parents or carers through play. You can be referred by your maternal and child health nurse or self-refer by contacting reception.

Services for professionals

We offer placements for postgraduate university students in maternal and child health studies. Other postgraduate student placements may be offered after consultation.

O’Connell Family Centre
6 Mont Albert Road
Canterbury Victoria 3126

Get directions (Google Maps)‎

Clinics and services

Getting here

O’Connell Family Centre
6 Mont Albert Road
Canterbury Victoria 3126

We are located on the corner of Mont Albert Road and Parlington Street. Entry via Parlington Street.

There is a ramp to enter the building. Please note the doors to reception are not automatic. Staff can help you through the doors if required. There are no steps once you are inside the building.

Parking availability

Parking is available at front of the centre.

There is accessible car parking available close to the main entrance for people who hold a disability parking permit.

There is no cost for parking.

Taxis

Taxis can be called if needed.

Visitor information

Open hours

Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre is open Monday to Friday.

After hours access

Reception closes at 5pm. Staff will open the door after hours.

General visiting hours

There are no set times for visitors during your stay. To get the most out of the program, we suggest minimising the number of visitors you have.

Additional support services available

You will be given a list of support services most suited to your personal circumstances when you go home.

Contacts and information

Contact us

Reception

Reception

  • Phone numbers:

    Reception
    03 8416 7600
    Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm.
    You are able to leave a voicemail message when the office is closed.


  • Phone number: 03 8416 7650

Other helpful contacts

NURSE-ON-CALL

NURSE-ON-CALL

  • Phone numbers:

    NURSE-ON-CALL
    1300 60 60 24
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

  • Website: NURSE-ON-CALL - health.vic
  • About:

    NURSE-ON-CALL is a phone service that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse.

    If you think your situation is an emergency, you should always call 000 or go to an emergency department at a hospital.

    Call for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria for health advice 24 hours a day (calls from mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate).

    NURSE-ON-CALL puts you directly in touch with a registered nurse for caring, professional health advice around the clock. You may need us when:

    – you or someone you’re caring for is feeling unwell
    – you are not sure if you should seek medical help
    – you’re away from home or situated a long way from medical help
    – you simply want advice or information about health services in your area.

    What happens when I call for advice?
    Step 1 – a registered nurse will answer your call and collect some basic details.

    Step 2 – the nurse will then ask you a series of questions about your symptoms and other issues relating to your health.

    Step 3 – at the end of the call the nurse may suggest ways you can care for yourself, advise you to contact a GP or, in the event that your condition is very serious, transfer the call to 000. Note that nurses do not provide a full diagnosis of your symptoms.

    NURSE-ON-CALL uses the most up-to-date health information available, giving you and your family the highest quality advice. All information you provide remains confidential and records are fully secure.

Maternal and Child Health Line

Maternal and Child Health Line

  • Phone numbers:

    Maternal and Child Health Line
    13 22 29
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

  • Email address: mchline@edumail.vic.gov.au
  • Website: Maternal and Child Health Line
  • About:

    The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Line is a statewide telephone service av​ailable every day of the year for​​ Victorian families with children from birth to school age.

    Maternal and child health nurses can provide information, support and guidance regarding a range of issues including child health, nutrition, breastfeeding, maternal and family health and parenting.

Parentline

Parentline

  • Phone numbers:

    Parentline
    13 22 89
    8am to midnight, 7 days a week.

  • Website: parentline
  • About:

    Parentline is a confidential and anonymous phone counselling service for parents and carers of children and teenagers in Victoria. We offer counselling, information and support around a range of parenting issues.

Lifeline

Lifeline

  • Phone numbers:

    Lifeline
    131 114
    24 hours, 7 days a week

  • Website: lifeline.org.au
  • About:

    Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

    What happens when you call 13 11 14
    Our trained Telephone Crisis Supporters will answer your call and:

    Listen to your situation
    Provide immediate support
    Assist to clarify options and choices available to you
    Provide you with referral information for other services in your local area.
    Your call will be answered as soon as possible by the next available crisis supporter. If your call isn’t answered straight away, it means we are experiencing high demand for our service and helping other Australians in need.

    Please stay on the line or call back later.

    If you are in immediate danger call 000.

Mental Health Advice Line

Mental Health Advice Line

  • Phone numbers:

    Mental Health Advice Line
    1300 280 737

  • About:

    For the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria. Calls from mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate.

Griefline

Griefline

  • Phone numbers:

    Griefline
    (03) 9935 7400
    24 hours, 7 days a week

  • Website: griefline.org.au
  • About:

    GriefLine listens, cares and supports people experiencing loss and grief, at any stage in life.

    We manage Australia’s only dedicated loss and grief national telephone counselling service. We provide anonymous support and specialist counselling services to individuals and families. All calls are confidential and are free.

    Our volunteer counsellors undergo robust training and are professionally supported by GriefLine.

O’Connell Family Centre
6 Mont Albert Road
Canterbury Victoria 3126
Mother and sleeping baby
Mother and sleeping baby

Last reviewed October 17, 2017.

Close up of a new born baby attached to a tube from the nose asleep tucked into pink blankets.

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