Tasmania’s Department of Health and Human Services Parenting Centres
There are three parenting centres which operate in Tasmania’s South, North and North-West districts. They form part of the state’s Child Health and Parenting Service. Tasmania’s’ Parenting Centres are designed to offer support for families with children aged from 0-5 years, on a Monday to Friday, day-stay basis. Staff are from a range of professional backgrounds and include child and family health nurses, psychologists and social workers.
There is no fee for any of the services provided by Parenting Services Tasmania.
Services Provided by Tasmanian Parenting Centres
- Support with breastfeeding and any feeding related issues.
- Guidance and education for parents relating to their child’s sleep problems, which may be affecting the child or parents.
- Support for mothers with post natal depression. Programmes are run which are designed to enhance infant/parent interaction and communication.
- General issues which relate to parenting, including step families and self esteem.
- Support for parents of toddlers with behaviour management issues and sibling rivalry.
Contact Details for Parenting Centres
- Walker House Parenting Centre: North (03) 6326 6188. This centre is located at Newnham. It is open from Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
- North West (03) 6434 6201. This centre is located in Burnie. It is open from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
- South (03) 6233 2700. This centre is located in New Town. It is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Contact Number for Tasmanian Parenting Line
This number is available at all times for parenting related queries for the cost of a local call: 1300 808 178.
Normal mobile phone charges apply to use this service.
Child Health and Parenting Service
Child Health Centres
There are 80 Child Health Centres located around the state of Tasmania. This service is designed to provide support to families with children aged from birth to 5 years of age. They are divided into three regions: North, North-West and Southern Tasmania. Child Health Centres are staffed by child and family health nurses with expertise in providing support to families with a wide range of parenting related issues. Feeding, sleep and settling, behaviour and safety are some of the common issues they focus on. They also provide a service of screening for women who feel they may have post natal depression and provide counselling and referral as necessary.
Contact Numbers for Regional Offices of Parenting and Child Health:
- Burnie: (03) 6434 6451
- Devenport: (03) 6421 7800
- Hobart: (03) 6230 7899
- Launceston: (03) 6336 2130
CHAT GROUPS (Child Health Association Inc.)
CHAT groups are a statewide network of parenting groups. They are designed to offer support to parenting through friendship, pram walks, physical activity and advocacy where necessary. Parent groups can accommodate families with children aged between 0-5 years.
Services offered in CHAT groups are:
- CHAT groups which provide support and education.
- Advocacy service if it is required for health and community issues.
- Chat ‘n’ walk groups; a walking group for parents with prams.
- Family food PATCH; which focuses on nutrition and physical activity.
Contact Number to Make a CHAT Appointment:
6231 4765 Statewide.
CU at Home:
Child Health and Parenting Service run a unique program designed to support first time mothers aged between 15-19 years. Regular visits by a nurse commence before the baby is born and if necessary, continue until the child is 2 years of age. Certain criteria need to be met to participate in this program. Contact details as above.
Check www.dhhs.tas.gov.au for more details.
For more information see Baby settling or Baby Care
