Parenting Support programs and services give parents the right support to build their skills and confidence and have been proven to make a difference for children and families.
Evidence-based Parenting Support programs and services are delivered by local councils and community service organisations across Victoria.
Supported Playgroups
Supported Playgroups are a targeted service for families experiencing disadvantage to improve the learning, development, and wellbeing outcomes of children from birth until they start primary school.
Supported Playgroups are required to deliver smalltalk, which is an evidence-based program focused on improving the quality of everyday interactions between parents and children to promote children’s learning and improve the quality of the early home learning environment.
The Supported Playgroups policy and funding guidelines (Word) support the delivery and administration of Supported Playgroups and outline the department’s expectations of service providers funded to deliver the program.
Strengthening Parent Support Program
October 2026 update
The Strengthening Parent Support Program is expanding as part of Thriving Kids. Thriving Kids is a joint Commonwealth and state government initiative that will support families who have children aged 0 to 8 years with:
- developmental delays, or
- autism with low to moderate needs.
Starting 1 October 2026, parenting education will increase through the existing program. Over the next few months, all ten current operating areas, will expand operations, increasing access to:
- peer-led and facilitator-led support groups
- parenting education and information sessions
- individual support for families.
The Strengthening Parent Support Program will continue to support all children aged 0 to 18 years.
Supporting parents to build their skills and confidence.
The Strengthening Parent Support Program is for parents and carers who have a child:
- with a disability or developmental delay, and
- aged 0 to 18 years.
This free program helps parents connect with other families and their local communities through:
- facilitator led and peer led support groups
- parenting education and information sessions
- individual support.
Referrals
Referral to the Strengthening Parent Support Program is through local service networks or self-referral.
| Service | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Gateways Support Services | 10-12 Albert Street Geelong West VIC 3218 | 03 5221 2984 |
| Inspired Carers | Building 3 36-38 Packham Street Shepparton VIC 3632 | 03 5831 7157 |
| Mackillop Family Services | 118 Commercial Road Footscray VIC 3011 | 03 9680 8444 |
| Melbourne City Mission | 164-180 Kings Way South Melbourne VIC 3205 | 1800 343 287 |
| Moira | Level 3 42 Lakeview Drive Caribbean Park Scoresby VIC 3179 | 03 8552 2222 |
| Mpower | 71 Koroit Street Warrnambool VIC 3280 | 03 5561 8111 |
| Noah’s Ark | 6 Blackwood Place Morwell VIC 3840 | 1800 819 140 |
| Parentzone – Anglicare Eastern | 666 Mountain Highway Bayswater VIC 3153 | 1300 007 873 |
| Pinarc Disability Support | 1828 Sturt Street Alfredton VIC 3350 | 03 5329 1300 |
| RIAC - Rights and Information Advocacy Centre | 480 Hargreaves Street Bendigo VIC 3550 | 0488 605 363 |
| Uniting Wimmera | 185 Baillie Street Horsham VIC 3400 | 03 5362 4042 |
Documents that support SPSP
Strengthening Parent Support Program operational guidelines. The guidelines outline what the department expects of service providers. Read this alongside the service agreement between the service provider and the department. The guidelines are available on the department’s Funded Agency Channel.
The following documents are available at ACD’s About us webpage. They are listed under the Reports heading.
Strengthening Parent Support Program practice framework. The framework has:
- an evidence-based model, values, principles
- practice guidance for key areas of the program.
Strengthening Parent Support Program supplementary information. Read how parents, carers and professionals contributed to the framework.