Parents and Carers
PCA Families support families joined through permanent care, kinship care and adoption. Our families are diverse and share a common goal who aim to provide a safe, stable, nurturing and permanent home to the children in their care. They include grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings providing kinship care; families who were previously the child’s foster carers; couples who have struggled with fertility and have been through IVF; LGBTQI+ couples; single people; and people with altruistic motivations who provide a permanent home to children.
PCA Families believes strong parents and carers produce stronger children which is based on trauma informed practices. Support provided as early as possible provides a protective measure against future challenges.
Families can seek parenting assistance around their young persons and family needs including:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Peer and family relationships
- Behaviour, including risk taking behaviour
- Communication
- Education needs
- Health needs
- Therapy
- Drug and alcohol use.
PCA families helpline
We understand that parenting children with disrupted attachments can be challenging, requiring both care and understanding. That’s why the PCA Families Helpline offers a free and confidential service to provide you with practical advice, connections, and support. Our dedicated team is here to listen, guide, and assist you in navigating these challenges, offering the resources and information you need. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Call us on (03) 9020 1833 and choose option 1
Flexible Funding program
PCA Families provides government funding to eligible families to help meet the needs of children in their care, from 0 to 18 years old. This funding is aimed at promoting a child's attachment, continuity of care, and addressing issues related to trauma from abuse or neglect.
This program is designed to provide extra financial support for the extraordinary needs of children and young people—helping with costs that aren't covered by the NDIS, carer allowance, or other funding sources. Whether it's therapy, educational support, or activities that foster connection and growth, we're here when other options fall short. Our goal is to help your child succeed while easing the financial burden on your family.
Call us on (03) 9020 1833 and choose option 3
Better Futures and Home Stretch
Better Futures and Home Stretch are Victorian Government initiatives designed to support young people on permanent care orders as they transition to independence from the age of 15 years and 9 months, offering assistance until they reach 21 years old. PCA Families serves as the statewide intake and entry point for these programs, helping young people navigate and access key areas such as housing, health and wellbeing, education, employment, and community and cultural connections.
Call us on (03) 9020 1833 and choose option 2
Peer support
Our peer support services are designed to foster connections and create a platform for sharing experiences. We offer members the chance to engage with other parents and carers in a safe and supportive space, where they can share the unique and common experiences of raising children through permanent care, kinship care, and adoption. Prospective families awaiting a child are also welcome to join.
Advocacy
PCA Families are here to advocate on your behalf which is carried out at an individual level within client services and as a representative body responding to themes and issues raised by our community.
Our Approach:
- The PCA Families approach to advocacy and campaigning is informed by a ‘bottom-up’ approach to consultation. We facilitate direct participation by families with lived experience of policy issues.
- PCA Families recognise the value of formal and informal partnerships with external organisations and bodies within and across sectors in influencing change.
- Our advocacy is informed by the best possible evidence produced by robust research processes.
- We are solution focused, presenting clear, credible and tangible solutions to existing policy issues.