Windermere Child and Family Services

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and supported.

We provide free and confidential Sexual Assault Support Services for victim survivors of any age or gender, as well as their non‑offending family members, across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.

Our trauma‑informed counsellors work alongside you to prioritise your emotional and physical safety.

Support may include:
✨ counselling to help understand thoughts, emotions and triggers
✨ strengthening coping strategies
✨ crisis intervention following a recent assault
✨ liaison with police, medical and legal services
✨ group programs to support healing and connection

We are committed to providing services that are inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Learn more: https://www.windermere.org.au/services/sexual-assault-support-services

Our newest edition of Connect is here - and it’s all about Your Voice 🌟

In this issue, we share powerful stories from across our community that show how your experiences shape the way we support children, families and individuals.

Inside this edition:
🌱A parent’s story of how Windermere Plan Management became the “backbone” of their NDIS journey
🌱How we’re reimagining practice to create lasting, meaningful change for families
🌱A spotlight on Kylie Crawford from our Victims Assistance Program
🌱The story behind our new Disability Icon and what it represents

📖 Read here:https://www.windermere.org.au/media/ucpf0nvt/win0254-connect-v07.pdf

Thank you to everyone who shared their voice - it helps us grow, learn and deliver support that truly makes a difference.

Victorian parents and carers - your voice matters.

The Parenting Research Centre is inviting parents and carers of children aged 0–18, including kinship and foster carers, to share their experiences with child protection, family services, or out of home care.

Your insights can help shape more respectful, effective supports for families across Victoria.
🧡 Participation is voluntary
🔒 Responses are confidential
📱 Complete the survey online or by phone

Your lived experience helps highlight:
• what support felt helpful or unhelpful
• barriers to get help early
• moments where things could have been done differently
• what respectful, effective support should look like

Take the survey here: https://surveys.srcentre.com.au/wix/p232494165540.aspx

The survey will close Tuesday 23 June 2026. Thank you 🥰

Parenting Today

Your generosity can make a real impact. Family violence doesn’t just affect one person - it shapes entire childhoods. Without support, its effects can last a lifetime. But together, we can break the cycle.

Last year, with your help, we changed over 23,000 lives. That’s 23,000 people who found safety, stability, and support. Your donation means a child can feel safe. A parent can rebuild. A family can begin again.

Donate this tax time and be part of that change: https://www.windermere.org.au/get-involved/Tax-Appeal-2026

Learning disabilities can alter the way a person learns, processes information, and experiences the world around them. You may have heard of the following:

🧠 ADHD – difficulties with attention, focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity
📚 Dyslexia – challenges with reading, spelling, and language processing
🔢 Dyscalculia – difficulties understanding numbers and mathematical concepts
✍️ Dysgraphia – challenges with handwriting and written expression
🤸 Dyspraxia – difficulties with coordination, movement, and motor planning

Learning Disability Week is an opportunity to raise awareness, foster understanding, and celebrate neurodiversity.

It reminds us that:
💙 Everyone deserves to feel seen, understood, and supported
💙 Greater awareness helps reduce stigma and misconceptions
💙 Every individual has unique strengths, talents, and ways of learning

With the right understanding and opportunities, people with learning disabilities can thrive at school, in the workplace, and throughout everyday life.

Tantrums, tears, frustration and overwhelm are all part of growing up — but children don’t have to navigate those big emotions alone 🌱

Co-regulation is the process of helping children manage emotions through calm, supportive relationships. Before children can self-regulate, they first learn by “borrowing” the calm of trusted adults around them.

We know that emotional support, connection and understanding help children build resilience and confidence over time.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can say is: “I’m here with you.” 💚

Read more about co-regulation and helping your child manage big emotions here: www.windermere.org.au/news/co-regulation-helping-your-child-manage-big-emotions/

Join a super fun winter holiday program at St Johns Baptist Primary School!

📅 Monday 29 June – Friday 10 July 2026
🕢 7:30am – 6:00pm weekdays
🏚️ 172 Station Street, Koo Wee Rup

✔️ Harry potter Incursion
✔️ Old school party day
✔️ Virtual reality incursion
And so much more.

Bookings close on Friday 12 June. All families welcome!

There will be plenty of entertainment these school holidays for children to explore, learn and enjoy 😊
More information or to book visit: www.windermere.org.au/childcare/out-of-school-hours-care/