Looking for reliable, local children’s support services in Canberra can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing urgent needs with limited time.
Whether you’re seeking active foster care programs, researching historical children’s homes, or connecting with family support networks, the ACT has a mix of long-standing institutions and modern community services ready to help.
This guide pulls together verified, location-specific details for key orphanage and children’s home services in the Australian Capital Territory, based on reputable sources and official records.
It’s designed to be quickly scannable while still giving you the depth you need to take action.
Disclaimer: Information on this page may differ from current circumstances. Please contact the numbers or websites provided to confirm details before visiting or making arrangements.
1. Barnardos Children’s Family Centre – Supportive Family-Based Care in Downer
The Barnardos Children’s Family Centre has been part of Canberra’s child welfare landscape for decades, evolving from a residential orphanage into a hub for family-centred care.
It continues to deliver critical services for children and families across the ACT, offering both preventive programs and active out-of-home care placements.
As one of the most accessible services for residents in Downer and surrounding suburbs, it has become a trusted name for those searching for “orphanage home near me” with a focus on modern, community-driven care.
Contact & Location
- Barnardos Children’s Family Centre, 2 Atherton Street, Downer, ACT 2602 (near Downer Oval)
- Phone: (02) 5134 6701
- Email: canberra@barnardos.org.au
- Website: Barnardos Canberra Centre
Opening Hours
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Key features
The centre offers a wide range of family and child welfare programs designed to meet varied needs.
- Foster care: short-term, long-term, respite
- Youth mentoring and supported accommodation
- Parenting programs and early intervention services
- Youth homelessness support
Many locals ask if they can visit directly for help yes, walk-ins during office hours are welcome, but appointments are encouraged for foster care enquiries.
Why locals value it
With strong community roots and a consistent track record of care, this centre is ideal for families in Canberra’s north seeking both immediate assistance and long-term support.
Its combination of trusted history and up-to-date programs makes it a stand-out in the ACT’s child welfare network.
2. Barnardos House (Historical) – Canberra’s First Children’s Home
Before the shift towards family-based care, Barnardos House was the first dedicated children’s home in the ACT.
From 1964 until the early 1980s, it provided a safe residential environment for children in need while working to place them with foster families.
Today, while no longer operating, it remains a significant part of the ACT’s child welfare history and a point of interest for researchers and locals alike.
Contact & Location
- Barnardos House (Historical), 2 Atherton Street, Downer, ACT 2602
- Website: Barnardos House history – Find & Connect
Opening Hours
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | N/A – Historical site |
| Tuesday | N/A – Historical site |
| Wednesday | N/A – Historical site |
| Thursday | N/A – Historical site |
| Friday | N/A – Historical site |
| Saturday | N/A – Historical site |
| Sunday | N/A – Historical site |
Key features
As a historical entry, its “features” relate to its pioneering role in Canberra’s child welfare sector.
- First permanent orphanage in ACT
- Capacity for 10–15 children
- Foster placement pathways
Visitors sometimes wonder if the original building is still standing according to historical records, the site is now part of the modern Barnardos Children’s Family Centre.
Why locals value it
For residents interested in heritage and social history, Barnardos House represents the starting point of organised child care in Canberra.
Its legacy continues through the programs at the same Downer address.
3. Hopewood Penthouse – Former Orphanage (1957–1963)
Hopewood Penthouse was an ACT orphanage run by the Youth Welfare Association of Australia from 1957 to 1963.
Though operational for only a few years, it’s included in the National Redress Scheme, underscoring its significance in child welfare history.
It stands as an example of mid-20th century care models before the ACT’s transition to modern out-of-home services.
Contact & Location
- Hopewood Penthouse (Historical), Canberra, ACT 2601
- Website: Hopewood Penthouse – National Redress Scheme
Opening Hours
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | N/A – Historical site |
| Tuesday | N/A – Historical site |
| Wednesday | N/A – Historical site |
| Thursday | N/A – Historical site |
| Friday | N/A – Historical site |
| Saturday | N/A – Historical site |
| Sunday | N/A – Historical site |
Key features
While no longer operating, the Penthouse holds archival value.
- Provided residential care for children without parental support
- Part of ACT’s early child welfare framework
- Listed in the National Redress Scheme
Locals often ask if the building still exists; details are limited, but its listing in official records means its history is preserved for reference.
Why locals value it
For those researching institutional care in Canberra’s past, Hopewood Penthouse is a notable entry. Its central location in ACT 2601 also makes it relevant for historical mapping.
4. Barnardos Children’s Family Centre (alias Barnardos Canberra Centre)
Also known in some directories as Barnardos Australia’s Canberra Centre, this is simply another name for the Downer-based Barnardos Children’s Family Centre.
The alias is important for locals using alternate search terms when looking for support services.
Contact & Location
- Barnardos Canberra Centre, 2 Atherton Street, Downer, ACT 2602 (near Downer Oval)
- Phone: (02) 5134 6701
- Website: Barnardos Australia’s Canberra Centre
Opening Hours
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Key features
The centre’s programs under this alias remain identical to its primary name.
- Community engagement activities
- Foster care and permanency programs
- Parenting and early childhood support
One common query is whether this alias offers different services it does not, the difference is purely in naming across listings.
Why locals value it
Recognising the alias ensures residents can find the right services quickly, especially when searching online or via community directories. For Downer and north Canberra, this is a go-to contact point.
Closing Notes for Local Readers
The ACT’s network of orphanage homes, children’s centres, and historical care institutions offers a clear view of how child welfare in Canberra has shifted from residential facilities to family-based and community-driven services.
For those in urgent need, Barnardos Children’s Family Centre in Downer remains the most active and accessible option, with structured programs tailored to support vulnerable children and families across the territory.
If you are unsure which service to contact first, start with Barnardos Children’s Family Centre as it is actively operating and can provide direct referrals to other programs if needed.
Their team can guide you through foster care options, youth mentoring, or emergency support pathways, ensuring you’re not navigating the system alone.
For those researching past institutions, the Find & Connect database and the National Redress Scheme website are valuable resources linked throughout this guide.
They provide documented histories, photographs, and formal records that may be important for family history searches, legal processes, or community education projects.
In a city like Canberra, where suburbs are closely connected, having this information in one place means you can quickly find services near your suburb or workplace without wasting time.
Whether your need is immediate or research-based, the ACT’s combination of heritage care sites and modern child welfare services offers both historical insight and practical, current-day help.