Where to get help

If you need some support and your not sure who can help, explore the links below to find out which organisations are best placed to assist. If you’re still not sure, get in touch,  as we may be able to point you in the right direction.

SA Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People

SA Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People promotes and advocates for the rights, interests and well-being of Aboriginal children and young people in South Australia. The Commissioner is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; the central instrument that defines the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples to their own distinct cultures and to pursue their development according to their own needs and aspirations. The Commissioner is the only independent body created solely to promote the rights, development and wellbeing of South Australian Aboriginal children and young people at a systemic level – this includes developing culturally safe and informed strategies and promoting Aboriginal voice with particular regard for safety and wellbeing. 

To find out more visit:  www.cacyp.com.au
Phone:(08) 8226 3351
Email: CommissionerACYP@sa.gov.au

Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People
The Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People (GCYP) is appointed by the South Australian government to advocate for and promote the rights and best interests of South Australian children and young people who come under the guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection.

For more information visit: www.gcyp.sa.gov.au
Phone: 08 8226 8570 
Freecall for SA children and young people only: 1800 275 664

The Training Centre Visitor

The Training Centre Visitor (TVC) promotes and protects the interests and rights of children and young people who are on remand or have been sentenced to detention in a youth training centre in South Australia. The TCV is appointed pursuant to section 11 of the Youth Justice Administration Act 2016 (the Act).

South Australian Legal Services Commission
The South Australian Legal Services Commission provides legal advice and community legal education and representation for those most in need of it but who are unable to pay.

For more information visit:  www.lsc.sa.gov.au 
General enquiries:  (08) 8463 3555
For free legal advice of a general nature, call 1300 366 424 on workdays between 9am and 4.30pm.

Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner
The South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC) is an independent, statutory office which assists service users, carers and service providers, including government, private and non-government health and community services, to try and resolve complaints about community services in South Australia.

For more information visit: www.hcscc.sa.gov.au/
Email: info@hcscc.sa.gov.au
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday  9am to 5pm
Phone:  (08) 8226 8666    Freecall (Country SA Landline Only) 1800 232 007
Disability Advocacy Complaint Service SA (DACSSA)
The Disability Advocacy Complaint Service of South Australia (DACSSA) provides individual and systemic advocacy to people living with disability, their families and carers in South Australia. Many of the DACSSA team members have direct, lived experience of disability, allowing insight into the lives of those they represent.  

Phone: (08) 8297 3500
For more information visit: https://www.dacssa.org.au/

Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
The Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) provides justice without prejudice to Aboriginal people living in South Australia. Staff can help with matters including family law, criminal law, stolen generation compensation claims, and money issues.

Freecall (SA Only) 1800 643 222
For more information visit: www.alrm.org.au/

Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers, SA Inc.
Connecting  Foster and Kinship Carers, SA Inc. (CF&KC-SA) is a free independent service for approved Carers and anyone seeking information about foster and kinship care and working together with Carer families, the Department for Child Protection, support agencies and other partners to bring about positive change in South Australia.  CF& KC-SA aims to improve the lives of children and young people who are in care through provision of services that value and support Carer families to sustain strong and positive relationships in homes across South Australia, through ‘connection, information, advocacy and peer support’.  

For more information visit: www.cfc-sa.org.au 
Freecall: 1800 732 272
Child Abuse Report Line (CARL)
Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) is a report line operated by the SA Department for Child Protection. If you have serious concerns or suspect a case of child abuse or neglect please call the CARL report line operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Serious concerns include when you suspect a child or infant is in imminent or immediate danger of serious harm, serious injury, chronic neglect, or when a child is in care of the department and you suspect they are being abused or neglected.

Where you believe a child is in imminent or immediate danger call Emergency on 000
Where you have serious concerns about a child’s wellbeing call CARL on 13 14 78.
For non-urgent police assistance call 131 444 
For more information about CARL visit: SA Department for Children Protection   

Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline operates seven days a week and 24 hours per day to provide counselling services to Australian children and young people between the ages of 5 and 25 years. If you are a child between these ages and you need support at anytime for any reason, phone the number below at no cost to you and speak with a trained counsellor who will be able to provide you with some support. 

Free call: 1800 55 1800  Anytime. Any Reason.
For more information about Kids Helpline visit: kidshelpline.com.au  

Headspace
headspace provides tailored and holistic mental health support to young people aged 12 – 25 years. headspace has a focus on early intervention, working with young people to provide support “at a crucial time in their lives – to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future”.
There are 12 headspace centres in communities throughout South Australia. They offer online and phone counselling services, vocational services, and a presence in SA schools.

If you are a young person between the age of 12 and 25 years and need support with your mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug issues, or work or study support, phone headspace on the FREE CALL number below. 

FREE CALL: 1800 063 267 (headspace – Adelaide City)
or find the centre closest to you at: www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/

PICKLE

PICKLE is a mobile phone app and website designed to assist young people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness to find help and support. PICKLE is particularly helpful in connecting young people with a human services worker as quickly as possible. PICKLE  also promotes the South Australian Homelessness Gateway FREE CALL number to those who may need it but may not be aware of it.

For more information visit the  PICKLE website or download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
South Australian Homelessness Gateway FREE CALL 1800 003 308 ☏ at any time, 24hours a day,  seven days a week).

Youth Law Australia

Youth Law Australia (YLA)* is a community legal service that provides free, confidential legal advice, assistance and referrals to young people under 25 years. YLA is dedicated to helping address human rights abuses of children and young people in Australia, helping them and their supporters to find a legal solution to their problems through early intervention before they escalate. If you are under 25 (or you are advocating for someone under 25) you can access YLA via their online service available 24 hours seven days a week.
*Previously named the National Children’s and Youth Law Centre (aka ‘Lawstuff’).

For more information or if you need legal advice visit: gethlep.yla.org.au click on the YLA ‘Get help now’ button here. 
Or phone (02) 9385 9588 Monday – Friday between 9.30am and 5pm (AEST).

Parent Helpline
Parent Helpline is a seven-day, 24-hour telephone information counselling service for a parent, step-parent, grandparent, guardian or carer of an Australian child or young person between the age of 5 and 25 years. Qualified counsellors take your call and assist you with proven strategies and techniques. All calls are confidential and you can ask to speak with the same counsellor for ongoing support. You can also request an interpreter if one is needed and you can request either a male or female counsellor. Parent Helpline also offers a range of resources, including training accessed over-the-phone as well as a range of free downloadable content.

For more information visit: Parent Helpline South Australia
Phone 1300 364 100 (cost of a local call) 24 hours a day, seven days a week

 

Parenting SA
Parenting SA is a partnership between the Department of Human Services and the Women’s and Children’s Health Network to provide free information on raising children for parents, carers and guardians. A wide range of Parenting SA resources is available on topics including raising babies, toddlers, children and young people from birth to 18 years. There are also Guides specially developed for Aboriginal and multicultural families. 

Choose from the links below:

For more information visit: www.parenting.sa.gov.au
Phone: 8303 1660
Email: health.parentingsa@sa.gov.au

 

Grandparents for Grandchildren

Grandparents for Grandchildren is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation formed to raise awareness of the social justice issues associated with the increasing demands on grandparents raising grandchildren, within the community and across all levels of government. GFGSA provides information and support services to provide grandparents with every opportunity to have access to and/or care of their grandchildren. They are committed to enhancing the welfare of children at risk or in crisis, to enable them to live within a safe, loving, healthy and supportive environment.

For more information visit: www.gfgsa.com.au
 Phone: 08 8212 1937
Email: contactus@gfgsa.com.au