MacKillop Family Services Broadmeadows operates as a Family Relationship Centre (FRC) in Victoria, providing support to parents, children, and young people navigating family disputes and breakdowns. Their core service is Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), offering mediation for separated parents to manage parenting arrangements during and post-separation. The FRC aims to facilitate safe and neutral conversations between parents, focusing on agreements and plans that benefit the children’s well-being moving forward. Additionally, MacKillop’s FRC collaborates with legal services to offer legally assisted mediation, ensuring parents have guidance and support throughout the decision-making process.
With a history dating back over 150 years, MacKillop Family Services is deeply rooted in the values of social justice and care for vulnerable children and families. Inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, Christian Brothers, and Sisters of St Joseph, MacKillop Family Services is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for children to thrive. Their Strategic Plan 2020-2027 outlines a vision that places families at the core of their mission, emphasizing collaboration with communities to support children’s well-being and development.
MacKillop Family Services Broadmeadows strives to offer an inclusive service to a diverse range of families in the community, ensuring that children’s experiences and needs are taken into account during mediation processes. While the initial assessment session is free, ongoing sessions may require a means-tested co-contribution. Through their Sanctuary framework, MacKillop Family Services adopts a trauma-informed approach focused on safety, guiding their response as an agency to create a nurturing environment for children and families in need of care and support.