Those closest to family members with disability often play an important caring role. Carers can include parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, spouses, as well as friends and neighbours.
The organisations below provide support for families and carers:
Carers WA offer a range of innovative programs and services aimed at providing practical and emotional support. The organisation is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (phone 1300 227 377).
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative providing a mix of free online, telephone and in-person supports, services and advice, for family carers in Australia. Carer Gateway in-person services are being delivered throughout the states and territories by a network of Carer Gateway Service Providers. In Western Australia, Carers WA is leading the delivery of these in-person services, in partnership with HelpingMinds.
To access relevant supports and services, carers must undergo a carer support planning process to assess their needs. Carers WA has a dedicated Carer Gateway team who can be reached Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm (phone 1800 422 737).
Crisis Care is a 24-hour Western Australian Government telephone service for people needing urgent assistance (phone 1800 199 008, TTY: 08 9325 1232).
Department of Social Services provides information about families and children, housing support, seniors, communities and vulnerable people, disability and carers, ageing and aged care, and settlement and multicultural affairs.
Kiind located at Perth Children’s Hospital has an in-hospital support program and provide a range of services, advice, guidance and support to families raising children with disability and/or additional needs (phone 08 6164 9806).
Kids Helpline is available Australia-wide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (freecall 1800 551 800).
