Advocacy and Other Support Services

Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
Advocacy and other support services

Advocacy for our families

Penrith City Council and Children’s Services are committed to making sure children and families access their right to participate as part of their community and access quality services and experiences that are important to them and meet their needs.  

What is an Advocate?

An Advocate is someone who can help you speak up so that your needs are heard, your rights are understood, and your problems are resolved.

Penrith City Council Children’s Services therapists, educators and staff will do our best within our roles to support you to advocate for your child and family. Also, we encourage you to bring along a family member or friend to support you in any interactions with us.

If your advocacy needs are greater than what Penrith City Council and Children’s Services can offer, we can support you to access external services to assist you to advocate for your needs.

Here are some organisations with free services that can assist you to advocate for your families’ needs:


Advocacy Supports

AASS (Autism Advisory Support Service)

The AASS is a local not for profit organisation in Liverpool that works in partnership with individuals with autism, their families and carers, to evaluate, plan and implement appropriate services to support and deliver positive outcomes, including advocacy.

The AASS operate a 24hr Autism hotline to provide support to parents and carers, and their business hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8.30 - 4pm.

Phone: 1300 222 777 or 9601 2844
Website: https://aass.org.au/

 

Carer Gateway

The Carer Gateway provides phone counselling for all carers and can help connect them to helpful support and services. Business hours are 8.am - 6.pm,  Monday - Friday. Their website also has a lot of helpful information for carers, including stories, advice, and respite.

Phone: 1800 422 737
Website: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/

 

Wellways

Wellways offers a wide range of services including advocacy, designed to support people affected by disability, mental health issues, as well as their carers, families and friends.

Their website is available in multiple languages, staff can be contacted by phone or email, during business hours 9am-5pm Monday - Friday.

Phone: 1300 111 400
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: https://www.wellways.org/

 

Family Advocacy

Family Advocacy formally known as ‘The Institute for Family Advocacy and Leadership Development’ is an independent, impartial advocacy organisation that supports families across New South Wales to promote and defend the rights and interests of people with developmental disability. The organisation is managed and staffed by parents and allies of people with disability, who recognise the issues that people with disability and families face and who can assist in strengthening the advocacy and capacity of families.

Staff can be contacted during business hours Monday - Friday or through their website.

Phone: 9869 0866 or 1800 620 588
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: https://www.family-advocacy.com/

 

Disability Advocacy (DA)

The DA service is funded to provide independent advocacy by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services  (DSS), and NSW Department of Family and Community Services. Disability Advocacy NSW (DA NSW) can assist people with a disability and their families navigate the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), in a number of important ways including General Advocacy Support, Internal (NDIS) Appeals and External (NDIS) Appeals.

Phone: 1300 365 085 or 4927 0111
Website: https://da.org.au/

 

Multicultural Disability Advocacy (MDAA)

The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) is the peak body for all people in NSW with disability and their families and carers, with a particular focus on those from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) / non-English Speaking (NES) background with disability.

Phone: 1800 629 072 or 9891 6400
Website: https://mdaa.org.au/

 

Advocacy supports in NSW


Support Services for Parents and Carers

Carers Australia

Carers Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s carers for all health conditions. It advocates on behalf of carers to influence policies and services at a national level. Services are provided by a network of State and Territory Carers Associations, including counselling, advice and information.

Phone: 1800 242 636
Website: https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/

 

SANE Helpline

The SANE Helpline provides information, guidance and referrals you need to manage your mental health concerns. You can speak to a mental health professional when you ring the SANE Helpline. This Helpline is available 10.am - 10.pm 

Phone: 1800 187 263
Website: https://www.sane.org/

 

Mental Health (MH) Access Line

The MH Access Line is a 24-hours, 7 days a week service operating through all of NSW connecting individuals experiencing mental health concerns to the right kind of care for them. Staffed by mental health professionals, the line gives NSW residents access to expert mental health advice, support and referrals for people dealing with a mental health problem and their families and carers. Where appropriate they can put people in contact with the local mental health crisis or acute care team. The MH Access Line also provides advice about clinical symptoms, the urgency of the need for care and local treatment options for health and care service providers.

Phone: 1800 011 511
Website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/Mental-Health-Line.aspx

 

Lifeline

If you are having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, you can ring Lifeline anytime. Lifeline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Phone: 13 11 14
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 

 

Griefline

Griefline is Australia’s only dedicated grief helpline service that provides counselling support services free of charge to individuals and families who are experiencing loss and grief, including mental health concerns and carer support. Griefline runs from 12 midday to 3.00am,  seven days a week.  

Phone: 1300 845 745
Website: https://griefline.org.au/