Family Support

If you need support during a difficult time, please contact the HCOS Community Services Support Team:

Phone during our office hours, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm.
Outside those times, you are welcome to leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
You can also send us an email, or use our form here.

We offer support services to Hawkesbury families and individuals who are experiencing difficulties

The HCOS Community Services Team seeks to build on individual and family strengths, to work with families with dependent children, or Hawkesbury individual residents, to navigate their way through difficult times.

We believe that families and/or individuals themselves know best what support they need – so we work with them to identify their needs and goals.

HCOS Family Support is a free service to eligible individuals and families.

Who is eligible?

If you reside in the Hawkesbury Local Government Area and you are:

A family with dependent children 0–18 years
An individual experiencing financial or emotional distress
LGBTQ+ resident needing assistance
Over-55 resident needing assistance
An Indigenous resident needing assistance.

How can an HCOS Support Worker assist me and/or my family?

We assist you to have confidence in your own matters by offering information, advice and support, and information about and referral to other services.

Case management may include home visits, or a location of your convenience.
We can help you deal with other services and organisations, for example: NSW Housing, Centrelink, debtors, counsellors, domestic violence, health services and others.
Where necessary we can refer you to the appropriate child/youth related programs, behavioural programs and counselling.
We also run our own parenting programs, youth programs and counselling.

These programs, groups and events can be accessed through community and individual expressions of interest.

How do we work?

1. Referral

You can refer yourself, or be referred by your school or via another organisation.

2. Assessment & allocation

Our Community Service Team meets to review available staff and resources. If we are able to assist, we’ll determine who is the best fit for you.

3. Contact

A Community Services Team member responds to either you or your referring organisation, to make an appointment at a time and place that work best for you.

4. Meet

We can visit you at home, for example, or somewhere else where you feel safe.

Your rights at HCOS

As a HCOS client you have the right to:

Have your cultural and religious beliefs respected.
Cease the service at any time you wish.
Contact the HCOS Team Leader about any issue relating to the HCOS service.

Be treated with respect and dignity and the choice to refuse service.
Negotiate how the program services are delivered to you.
Obtain information on our complaints process.

Who helps the HCOS Family Support happen?

HCOS Community Services are funded by the NSW Department of Communities & Justice.