But recently the centre has recognised a need to provide a dedicated and culturally sensitive parent and adolescent program for Sudanese families.

Chisholm community welfare student Rachel Connolly has based her final assignment and work placement at the mediation centre.

She has been liaising with staff to get the project off the ground and hopes Sudanese families will feel "comfortable" about attending sessions.

"I feel there's a real need for this service - but agencies have to be careful; they need to gain the trust and respect of these families," Rachel says.

"No one has tried this sort of mediation with them before - it could be a long process.

"The staff here are dedicated and eager to learn about other cultures. They want to assist Sudanese families that are having difficulties settling into the community, particularly with helping the kids settle at school."

Rachel has been studying community welfare for the past two years and in that time has attended many workshops and meetings.

Recently, she was in Cranbourne at a Sudanese forum where she spoke with several Sudanese men about their own family difficulties.

"They told me their children can have trouble engaging with other children at school when they are far behind in their school work."

One of Rachel's Chisholm colleagues, who is Sudanese, is undertaking his final placement at Noble Park Secondary College.

"He tells me there are students in year nine that can only read at grade1 level," Rachel says. "And because of this, these children come home angry and frustrated."

Then there's the matter of Sudanese children who are learning English at one rate, but their parents at another, Rachel says.

"The kids become interpreters for their parents and this can also cause family difficulties. We hope the idea of getting Sudanese parents and their teenagers together in a non-intimidating mediation situation can make a positive difference."

The centre's parent and adolescent program provides early intervention for families experiencing difficulties, "with a view to preventing youth homelessness" and to "ensure lines of communication are sufficiently open to maintain a support link between the family and the young person".

The centre is at at level 1, 48 Webb Street, Narre Warren. Call 9705 6277.