Family Connect and Support

Helping children, young people and families in NSW:

Family and Parenting Support
Financial Stress
Substance Use
Housing
Youth Support Groups
Mental health Services
Domestic and family violence (DFV)
Education and Employment
Planning to Priority Populations

Through an initial consultation, we get to know you and your individual circumstances.

Understanding your needs and building on your strengths, we identify the support your family needs to make positive change in your lives.

We’ll give you information and advice and help you connect to the services in your area, so you don’t have to retell your story.

We stay connected with you until you’re matched with the right services or support.

Family Connect and Support (FCS), assists children and young people who do not meet the statutory threshold for child protection intervention but would benefit from accessing support to address current problems and prevent future escalations. The new Family Connect and Support streamlines access for families, referrers, and service providers, providing consistency across the state, while maintaining local-level flexibility.

Download Referral Form

Online Referral

FCS Brighter Beginnings

Brighter Beginnings Referral

FCS Brighter Beginnings provides early support for families with children aged 0–5 years through trusted early learning services including preschools and childcare centres. Delivered by our Family Connect and Support (FCS) program, Brighter Beginnings helps families access practical support, information, referrals and connections to local services. Our FCS workers partner with families to build on strengths, support child wellbeing and help families stay connected to early learning and community supports.

Support may include:

Parenting and family support
Referrals to local services
Support with child development and wellbeing
Connection to community and early learning services
Information sessions and practical resources

Families with children attending, or wanting to attend, participating early learning services may be eligible for support.

Our Staff

When you phone or come into a Family Connect and Support office, you will speak to a responsive, professionally trained FCS Worker who will connect you with the right service and support you with issues affecting your family. They will take time to listen and assist you in identifying your needs. Family Connect and Support welcomes families from all cultures and backgrounds, lands, and communities.

What will it cost?

The service is free. FCS is funded by the NSW Government, as apart of Keep Them Safe action plan to improve the safety and well-being of children in NSW. Pathfinders FCS operates Monday to Friday during business hours.

Our Locations

Servicing the Mid North Coast with offices located in Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Ta r ee.

All office locations offer outreach supports to surrounding families and communities.

News and Events

Pathfinders to Host the Clothesline Project Across New England and Kempsey

This May, Pathfinders will host the Clothesline Project across the New England and Kempsey regions as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. This powerful community event creates a safe and supportive space for victim-survivors, their families, and community members to come together, share stories, and stand in solidarity against gender-based violence. Event Details:…
Celebrating Harmony Week Across Pathfinders

During Harmony Week (16–22 March 2026), our teams across Kempsey, Taree, Armidale and Inverell took the opportunity to come together and recognise the diversity within Pathfinders and the communities we support. This year’s theme of “Everyone Belongs” was reflected in the way teams connected, shared, and took part in activities throughout the week. Staff marked…
2024 Quality Business Awards in Tamworth

Our team had the pleasure of attending the 2024 Quality Business Awards in Tamworth last Friday. We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who supported and voted for Pathfinders. Although we didn’t take home the award this time, being nominated and making it to the finals is a tremendous honour for…