Family Services

The Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS) Family Services consists of intake, assessment and referral services, family counselling, family strengthening projects, parent information sessions and family support groups and playgroups. These services are located in the Broadmeadows area and are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services.

VASS Family Services deliver a variety of activities to support families including: counselling and therapeutic sessions, advocacy, family counselling and support group sessions involving family strengthening projects, parent information sessions, parenting skills training and playgroups.

Early intervention, prevention and education are the focal point of Family Services at VASS. VASS works with parents in order to address their children’s needs, safety and the transition from childhood to adolescence.

This service aims to meet the needs of the Arabic Speaking Background (ASB) families, inclusive of Assyrian and Chaldean communities, through ongoing counselling and case management, information provisions, access to social support and referral to local services based on a formal intake process and assessment of needs. VASS aims to address key issues families face through social support groups, short and long term case work, culturally sensitive approaches to service provision and appropriate referrals.

All VASS staff have Police and Working With Children checks and the Family Support program caters to a range of issues with families, especially in ASB speaking communities. The services of the Arabic Families Services Program are, but not limited to:

  • Case management of Families, including counselling and advocacy
  • Coordinate the intake and referral of ASB families and individuals
  • Network with stakeholders in support of ASB families
  • Provision of workshops and forums addressing topics of importance to this target group and including participation from representative of other relevant
  • These services can be delivered in English, Arabic, Chaldean or Assyrian.

The Parenting Information sessions aim to empower parents with knowledge in a range of topics, as well as providing a source of social support and connections between parents, and creating increased understanding between ASB parents and mainstream service providers. The sessions are often facilitated by professionals from external services, such as Maternal Child Health professionals, and cover a range of topics such as adolescent violence, children’s development and mental health, the impact on children of witnessing domestic violence, the Australian legal system, appropriate disciplining and parenting in a new culture, and soothing techniques for infants.

Costs:

All VASS programs and activities are free of charge.

Contact information:
Shireen Francis,
Family Services counsellor,
Phone: (03) 9359 2861
Email: shireen.francis@vass.org.au