The Office of Children and Families (OCF) sits within the Community Services Division of the Northern Territory Government Department of Health and Community Services. Establishment of the OCF was an election commitment intended to promote a more whole-of-government approach to supporting children and families. The role of the OCF is to promote awareness of the interests and needs of Territory children and families, and issues affecting them; to inform policy and strategy development; and to develop new programs and services to respond to child and family needs. Our approach is to do this in partnership with others, and to facilitate participation by children, families and the broader community in all levels of decision-making and action affecting their lives.

Key initiatives and projects in the OCF currently include:

• improving access to information for families, initially through the family support website and parenting telephone helpline 1300 30 1300
• development of an NT strategy and plan to deliver new and revitalised parenting and family support services for priority target populations
• working with the Department of Employment, Education and Training to implement an early years framework that will strengthen care, development and learning systems and programs for young children and families
• improving available information about children, young people and family needs and interests in the NT
• replacement of the Community Welfare Act with new legislation for children and families.

If you have any queries about the OCF or its current work, please contact us on (08) 8999 2779 or email us via families@nt.gov.au.

We welcome your interest and look forward to working with a broad range of people to support children and families both now and in the future.