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
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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:
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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:
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Residential
Outreach
Aftercare
Education
Parentcraft
Volunteer support
Conceptual framework
Conceptual framework
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Child protection
Child focussed
Family centred
Strengths based
Client driven
Appropriate role modeling
Therapeutic environment
Conceptual framework
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Holistic
Non-deficit
Planned and intentional
Least intrusive
Staged, flexible and long term
Conceptual framework
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Reflective work practice
Multi-skilled, multi-disciplined team
Integrated service delivery
Partnerships and interagency relationships
Creating a community hub
Conceptual framework
Therapeutic models:
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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Childminders
Tutors
Mentors
Driving buddies
Yoga and fitness trainers
Baby masseuse
Swimming instructor
Key challenges
Key challenges
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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
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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