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