Providing Essential Support for Babies, Toddlers, and Families Across All of Victoria
Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, established in 1920, has been a pillar of support for generations of parents and caregivers facing the challenges of early parenting. Operating as a statewide Early Parenting Centre (EPC) and specialist public hospital, Tweddle is renowned for its commitment to the health and wellbeing of families and children.
Our Vision, Values and Role
Vision: Safe and secure foundations for babies, toddlers and families
Values: Connection | Curiosity | Respect | Courage
Role: We work with babies, toddlers and families to nurture health and wellbeing through providing early parenting programs and support, and driving sector improvement through research, education, and advocacy.
You can read more about Tweddle’s strategic priorities here.
What We Offer
Often referred to as a “sleep school,” Tweddle understands that while sleep-related issues are common reasons for seeking help, the journey of parenting can be full of challenges unique to each family. Tweddle has a skilled team, including nurses, lactation consultants, maternal and child health nurses, clinical psychologists, and early childhood professionals.
At Tweddle, we offer a range of services aimed at supporting families with children aged from 0-4 years, with a special emphasis on the crucial first 2000 days from conception to 5 years. We recognise that parenting challenges encompass a spectrum of concerns, including anxiety, isolation, health issues, addiction, family instability, violence, sleep deprivation, and financial stress.
Our specialised team, comprising maternal and child health nurses, mothercraft nurses, social workers, early parenting practitioners, and more, provides tailored assistance to over 4,000 families annually. Our services include residential and community-based day-stay programs, assessment and intake services, psychology and social support services, parenting support programs in prisons, childbirth education, in-home parenting support, and peer support programs for parents of children with specific needs.
Tweddle’s History
Tweddle owes its existence to four pioneering individuals: Dr John Springthorpe, Sister Maud Primrose, Mr James Hume-Cook and Mr Joseph Thornton Tweddle. Together in 1920 they shared a desire to arrest the burgeoning rates of infant mortality devastating Victorian families.
From our founders, presidents, matrons and auxiliary members through to past and present volunteers, life governors, CEOs, Board members, nurses, early parenting practitioners, mental-health workers, corporate and administration staff, through to the many thousands of babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, parents and carers that turned to Tweddle in difficult times, we thank you. You can read all about Tweddle’s history through ten decades on our Tweddle Centenary website.
Our Focus
Tweddle places a strong focus on health and relationships, considering them fundamental to overall wellbeing. By fostering good health and wellbeing, we aim to equip families with the resources and connections they need within their communities.
We understand that distress and disruption in the infant-parent relationship can significantly impact a child’s development. Our programs are designed to promote the preservation, reunification, and restoration of health and wellbeing for both infants and their families.
Child Safe Organisation
We offer a Child Safe environment by putting the best interests of children first to ensure their rights and needs are met. We apply this principle in policy and practice, screen applicants for suitability to work with children and promote a culture of child safety, wellbeing and identification and prevention of harm. Tweddle has a duty to respond to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.
Further Information
Tweddle is a Child Safe Organisation dedicated to the protection of all children. Please call Tweddle if you have any questions on (03) 9689 1577.
Tweddle would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians, past and present, of this land Wurundjeri on which Tweddle provide its services.
Diversity; Everyone is unique, included and heard.
Equity; Advocacy for fair opportunities.
Inclusion; Meaningful participation for all.
Belonging; Be your authentic self.
Tweddle acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We believe in supporting babies, toddlers, children and families to stay connected to cultures, communities and Countries.
- Tweddle welcomes people of different age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, intersex status, culture, sexual orientation, relationship status, language, faith, ability levels and socio-economic backgrounds.
- We take an intersectional approach in reducing inequality and discrimination by embedding safe, inclusive and affirming partnerships.
- We celebrate families from all walks of life and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging in principle and practice.
ACHS Accreditation
Tweddle Child and Family Health Service has successfully achieved ACHS accreditation by meeting the requirements of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s (the ACSQHC’s) National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
