Child and family services information, referral and support teams (Child FIRST)

Each Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Team (Child FIRST) provides a central referral point to a range of community-based family services and other supports within each of the Child FIRST catchment areas.

Child FIRST links vulnerable children, young people and their families into the relevant services they need.

Factors which affect a child's safety, stability or development are:

• Significant parenting problems that may be affecting the child's development
• Serious family conflict, including family breakdown
• Families under pressure due to a family member's physical or mental illness, substance abuse, disability or bereavement
• Young, isolated and/or unsupported families
• Significant social or economic disadvantage that may adversely impact on a child's care or development.

Use the table below to find your local Child FIRST or The Orange Door referral phone number. If you are not sure which local government area the family you are concerned about lives in, visit the Know your council website.  

For more information, see the Victorian Child FIRST catchments map (pdf), which is also available in Related resources on this page.

What is the Orange Door?

Child FIRST, as the access point for family services, is progressively transitioning to The Orange Door.

The Orange Door is the new access point for women, children and young people who are experiencing family violence, or families who need assistance with the care and wellbeing of children to access the services they need to be safe and supported.

Local Government areas that have already transitioned to The Orange Door are indicated in the following table.

For more information, visit The Orange Door website.

In some areas referrals about Aboriginal children and families can be made directly to an Aboriginal organisation, as indicated in the table.