Family Relationship Centres are an Australian Government initiative and can be found all over Australia. In the Northern Territory, Relationships Australia provides the Family Relationship Centre Services.
These services include providing information about family relationships at all stages – forming new relationships, overcoming relationship difficulties or dealing with separation and specialist service for joint Family Dispute Resolution mediation.
If you are going through a separation, staff will talk with you to help you focus on your children’s needs and help you decide what to do next.
Family Relationship Centres specialise in providing joint Family Dispute Resolution mediation sessions with the other parent or family members to help you agree on parenting arrangements and to negotiate property agreements.
Centre staff can also refer you to other specialist services that can help, such as family law counselling or programs about parenting after separation.
Centres also offer a range of other services and programs such as information sessions and seminars.
If you are separating and wish to see a professional, you can make an appointment for a private interview. If appropriate, you can bring family members or a support person with you.
Interpreters and translations can be provided free of charge.
Support
1800 050 321
The Family Relationship Advice Line is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer callers to local services that provide assistance.
Share the care provides current, practical advice and templates to help separating co-parents draw up a parenting plan while focusing on their children’s best interests.
Parents reading this booklet will find information about what a parenting plan is and where it sits within the legal system, and tips for making decisions about parental responsibility for finances, children’s living arrangements and education. The booklet also offers compassionate guidance for respectful and cooperative communication, decision-making, reducing conflict and where to get more support.
As well as templates for decision-making, Share the care includes pages where parents can record emergency contacts, and health and wellbeing information for their children, and a list of useful resources including contact details for relevant support services.
We hope that this latest version of Share the care will continue to support the diverse and changing needs of families navigating separation in Australia.
A free, digital copy of the booklet is now available HERE.
