Support Available

Support for families

Down Syndrome Victoria is committed to a model of peer support and empowerment to build resilience in people with Down syndrome and their families. 

New parent support

One of the most successful ways of supporting new parents is through contact with another parent who has been through a similar experience. Our Family Support Coordinator – Sue (also a parent of a child with Down syndrome) is available to visit families at home or in hospitals in the Melbourne Metropolitan area when a baby with Down syndrome is born. Regional families are offered phone support from the Down Syndrome Victoria office and can be put in contact with a family in their area.

New parent packs

Down Syndrome Victoria offer New parent information packs to all new families. This folder contains relevant information about Down syndrome and Down Syndrome Victoria and is available free of charge to all new families. Contact our Family Support Coordinator to find out more.

On-going support

Our Family Support Team is available for 'not so new' parents who may want to talk to someone about a particular issue they may be facing with their child (starting school, specific health issues, adult support issues such as employment, accommodation and life planning)

Support groups

Families often find talking to other parents of a child with Down syndrome helpful and comforting and our groups provide a great opportunity to get together with other families, share ideas and experiences and meet new friends. Attending a local group is also a great way to share information about services and facilities in your area. There are many local support groups - scattered around Victoria.

There are four types of groups available: Pre-school aged, school aged, teens & adults and Dads groups. Contact Sue at Down Syndrome Victoria office for the current details of groups in your area.

Helpful Links

Association for Children with a Disability are an information, support and advocacy organisation for children with a disability and their families, in Victoria. They have an excellent resource publication called Through the Maze which helps steer you in the right direction when you have any general disability questions.You also might like to refer to their Key Regional Contacts which are information sheets with specific contact details for key services in each of the nine regions of the Department of Human Services.

Mental Health Advice Line - The Mental Health Advice Line is a state-wide telephone information service available to all Victorians seeking mental health information, advice and referral for themselves or another person. Ph: 1300 280 737

Education Support

Ian Cook is the Educational Support Consultant, providing support and information for teachers of students with Down syndrome in mainstream schools. (Fee for service).

Telephone 1300 658 873.

Individual Respite Funding Available

Funding is available for individuals with Down syndrome and their families via Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres and other service providers. For more information refer to the Respite and Funding tab on this website.

Individual Support Packages

Individual Support Packages are funding and support for individuals with a disability. For more information refer to the Respite and Funding tab on this website.