Australian Red Cross Young Parents Program. Presented by Anne King & Sophie Mackey.
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Transcript of Australian Red Cross Young Parents Program. Presented by Anne King & Sophie Mackey.
Australian Red CrossYoung Parents Program
Presented by Anne King & Sophie Mackey
Established in Randwick in 1993
Formerly called:• Glen Mervyn• Young Women’s Health Program
Young Parents Program
Funded by NSW Community Services
& NSW Health
Accredited OOHC provider with Office of Children’s Guardian
Young Parents Program
Responding to identified need
Young parents have often experienced• abuse and neglect• poor health• unstable/unsafe home environment• homelessness• exposure to drug abuse and crime• mental health and behavioural
problems• disengagement from education• limited or no social support
Responding to identified need
Children of adolescent parents atgreater risk of:
• socio-economic disadvantage• being taken into statutory/foster
care• homelessness• poor health and childhood fatality• behavioural problems• poor academic performance• becoming teenage parents
themselves
Young Parents Program
Young Parents Program aims to:• Reduce incidence of child abuse and neglect• Provide opportunities for young parents without
skills and support to parent effectively• Facilitate family preservation• Reduce moves in care• Improve the safety and wellbeing of Australian
children• Break the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage
Program model:• Residential• Outreach• Aftercare• Education• Parentcraft• Volunteer support
Young Parents Program
Conceptual framework
• Child protection• Child focussed• Family centred• Strengths based• Client driven• Appropriate role
modeling• Therapeutic
environment
Conceptual framework
• Holistic• Non-deficit• Planned and intentional• Least intrusive• Staged, flexible and long term
Conceptual framework
• Reflective work practice• Multi-skilled, multi-disciplined team• Integrated service delivery• Partnerships and interagency relationships• Creating a community hub
Conceptual framework
Conceptual framework
Therapeutic models:• Bonding and Attachment• Child and Adolescent
Development• Strengths Based Theory• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy• “Social Capital” Theory• Motivational Interviewing• Self Monitoring and Evaluation
Young Parents Program
Residential
• Intensive support for young mums under 19
• 24 hour supported accommodation
• Case management• Most vulnerable/at risk• Statutory clients/restorations• Guided by OOHC guidelines
and placement principles
Young Parents Program - Residential
DAY/TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT SUN
MORNING
8amWake Up9am House Meeting9.30am Chores complete
8amWake Up 9am Morning Handover9.30am Chores complete
8amWake Up 9am Morning Handover9.30am Chores complete
8amWake Up 9am Morning Handover9.30am Chores complete
8amWake Up 9am Morning Handover9.30am Chores complete
9.30am Chores
9.30am Chores
10am-1pmEducation Session
10am-11.30amPlaygroup
10am Hazel’s Group11amRoom inspections
10am-1pmEducation Session
10am-11am Tot Spot (fortnightly)11.30am-1pm Parent Education
AFTERNOON
5/6pm curfew
1pm Big Chore complete 5/6pm curfew
5/6pm curfew
5/6pm curfew
5/6/8/10pm curfew(as arranged in adv. with CM)
5/6/8/10pm curfew(as arranged)
5/6pm curfew
EVENING
7.30pm-9.30pmStudy with vol tutor9.30pm Chores complete
9.30pm Chores complete
9.30pm Chores complete
7.30pm-9.30pmStudy with vol tutor9.30pm Chores complete
9.30pm Chores complete
9.30pm Chores
9.30pm Chores
Young Parents Program - Residential
Young Parents Program - Residential
Outreach
• Single parents and couples aged 16 to 25• Medium term housing• Case management• Home visiting• Participation in groups• Focus on developing increased independence & living
skills
Outreach
Outreach
Aftercare
• Support and referrals for parents up to age 25
• Social network• Client driven• Aimed at maintaining
independence
Aftercare
Aftercare
Education
• Weekly study groups• Facilitated by Education Officer• Supported by volunteer tutors• Child minding provided• Remedial and certificate courses• Linked with generic services eg TAFE, libraries, schools,
universities
Education
“I left school when I was 13. I now realise that the kids that stayed at school have a better education than I do.”
“The program has helped me heaps to recognise my strengths.”
Education
Education
Parentcraft
• Parenting education groups• Tot spot• Play group• Parenting workbooks• Intensive parenting support• Staff education
Parentcraft
Volunteering
• Trained volunteers• Community engagement and
social responsibility• Role modeling and mentoring• Integral to success of program• Builds service capacity• 90% volunteer retention rate
Volunteering
Volunteering
Over 80 volunteers:• Childminders• Tutors• Mentors• Driving buddies• Yoga and fitness trainers• Baby masseuse• Swimming instructor
Key challenges
• Holisitic nature of service• Working with risk• Housing• Working effectively with Indigenous
families• Engaging young men
Key challenges
Key challenges
Balancing act:• Flexibility vs structure• Parent needs vs child needs• Maintaining trust and relationships
while having honest and challenging conversations
• Providing support without building reliance
• Transparency with clients• Reflecting and learning as a worker
Key challenges
Evaluation
• Client feedback• Daily case notes• Monthly/quarterly case
reviews• Individual & group
supervisionfor staff
• OCG quarterly audits• Research partnership with
Macquarie University
Evaluation
Dear Minister
“I believe my experience of the program was life changing.”
“I was really reserved and did not feel like opening up to anybody.”
“I started to trust the people around me.”
Young Parents Program – Dear Minister
“This service is so important for young mothers and fathers who are serious about changing their way of life .”
“It’s helped me be the best young mother I can be to my daughter…so she does have a good life like every kid should have.”
Young Parents Program – Dear Minister
Young Parents Program
Questions