Australian Red Cross Young Parents Program Presented by Anne King & Sophie Mackey Young Parents Program 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 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 at greater 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 Young Parents Program Program model: • • • • • • Residential Outreach Aftercare Education Parentcraft Volunteer support Conceptual framework 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 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 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 EVENING AFTERNOON MORNING DAY/TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 8am Wake Up 9am House Meeting 9.30am Chores complete 8am Wake Up 9am Morning Handover 9.30am Chores complete 8am Wake Up 9am Morning Handover 9.30am Chores complete 8am Wake Up 9am Morning Handover 9.30am Chores complete 8am Wake Up 9am Morning Handover 9.30am Chores complete 10am-1pm Education Session 10am-11.30am Playgroup 10am Hazel’s Group 11am Room inspections 10am-1pm Education Session 10am-11am Tot Spot (fortnightly) 11.30am-1pm Parent Education 5/6pm curfew 1pm Big Chore complete 5/6pm curfew 5/6pm curfew 5/6pm curfew 9.30pm Chores complete 9.30pm Chores complete 7.30pm-9.30pm Study with vol tutor 9.30pm Chores complete 7.30pm-9.30pm Study with vol tutor 9.30pm Chores complete SAT SUN 9.30am Chores 9.30am Chores 5/6/8/10pm curfew 5/6/8/10pm curfew 5/6pm curfew (as arranged in adv. with CM) (as arranged) 9.30pm Chores complete 9.30pm Chores 9.30pm Chores Young Parents Program - Residential Outreach 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 Aftercare Aftercare • Support and referrals for parents up to age 25 • Social network • Client driven • Aimed at maintaining independence Aftercare Education 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 Parentcraft Parentcraft • • • • • • Parenting education groups Tot spot Play group Parenting workbooks Intensive parenting support Staff education Volunteering 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 Over 80 volunteers: • • • • • • • Childminders Tutors Mentors Driving buddies Yoga and fitness trainers Baby masseuse Swimming instructor Key challenges Key challenges • • • • • Holisitic nature of service Working with risk Housing Working effectively with Indigenous families Engaging young men 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 Evaluation • • • • Client feedback Daily case notes Monthly/quarterly case reviews Individual & group supervision for staff • OCG quarterly audits • Research partnership with Macquarie University Dear Minister Young Parents Program – 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 Questions