Spilstead Services assist vulnerable families who are experiencing challenges in the care and parenting of their young children in the early years. The program supports families where there are complex family issues and children with social, emotional or developmental needs. This territory unit is part of the Northern Sydney Child and Family Health Service for the Northern Beaches and Lower North
Shore regions. The service can assist up to 25 families and offers each family:
1) Case Management and Family Support
Services for both parents and children are coordinated by an integrated multi-disciplinary team within the one organisation.
2) Counselling and Parenting Programs
A family counsellor supports each family in identifying and reaching their parenting goals. Family Counsellors provide individual parent or family counselling as well as regular parent support and parent education group programs. Services may be centre-based or provided in the home. Counselling Services focus on parenting issues such as parent/child interaction, child behaviour management, family relationships or linking families with other community services. A designated male family counsellor also coordinates specific programs and services for fathers.
3) Volunteer Home Support Program
4) Infant Home-based Early Education and Intervention
5) Early Intervention Preschool Program
6) Therapy Services
7) Parent/Child Interaction Interventions/Playgroups
Referrals can be made by either:
1. Direct professional referral can be made by doctors, health professionals, welfare workers or child care workers. Please call 9951 0365 to discuss the referral and receive a referral form if needed. The Spilstead Services are provided free of charge, but rely on extensive community donations and support. Tax deductible donations are always gratefully received to assist with the provision of both programs and equipment. Services are further supported by the Dalwood Auxiliary. Spilstead Services are located at:
Dalwood Spilstead Centre
21 Dalwood Avenue,
Seaforth NSW 2092
Telephone: 02 9951 0365
Facsimile: 02 9951 0325
Telephone: 02 9972 0133
Facsimile: 02 9982 9630
Copied From the 'Spilstead Services' brochure. HISTORY
Dalwood Children's Home, at Seaforth, was a home for mothers and babies set up by the Food for Babies Fund in 1924. In 1931 it became a public hospital, and began to provide support to children who could not be cared for in their own homes. In 1989 Dalwood stopped operating as a children's home. Non-residential programmes continue on the same site. Dalwood is named after A.E. Dalwood, who leased his property 'Clavering' to George Fitzpatrick, the Chairperson of the Food For Babies Fund in 1924. In 1928, Dalwood donated the property, placing the Home in trust to be utilised only for children's services. It is located at Seaforth, but is sometimes described as being in Balgowlah, both of which suburbs are close to Manly. The Home was formally opened in 1930 and guests were treated to the sight of Flight Lieutenant Charles Ulm demonstrating flying feats in his biplane. In 1931 Dalwood Home was incorporated as a second schedule public hospital, and was expanded to support families who could not meet the needs of children in their own homes. It was managed by an independent community board. Fundraising for Dalwood is carried out, in large part, by the Dalwood Dog Show Committee, which began operating in 1932. The Home has also received high level patronage - in 1934 the cricketer Don Bradman, the aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and the actress Gladys Moncrieff were made life governors. In 1933, The Australian Women's Weekly described 'Dalwood Rest Home' as being 'for overworked mothers, girls, convalescent and under-nourished children, and children whose mothers are in hospital.'
The Home was expanded from the 1940s, as increasing numbers of children of servicemen were admitted. From 1931 to 1989 over 2,000 children resided at the Home, for short or long-term residential care. By 1966 the Home's residents averaged 56 at any one time. In 1978 a day care centre was established. In 1983 the Byrnes family donated funds for a residential cottage for disadvantaged children. The residential programmes at Dalwood closed in 1989. Early intervention programs and other services for disadvantaged children and vulnerable families continue to be provided on the site in the legacy of the original Dalwood bequest. In 1991 the site became the responsibility of the Northern Sydney Area Health Service (then known as the Manly-Warringah Area Health Service). The work of the Dalwood Auxiliary continues to fund multidisciplinary services for families and children, through the Dalwood Spilstead Service. https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE01154
