Families NSW
Families NSW is the NSW Government’s population based prevention and early intervention strategy for families expecting a baby or with children aged 0 to 8.
The whole-of-government strategy is implemented through service models that focus on supporting parents to be confident, connected to their community and its services and equipped to support their children’s development.
Families NSW is delivered jointly by three government agencies: the Department of Education and Communities; NSW Health and the Department of Family and Community Services.
The services provided include universal services e.g. health home visiting, and programs targeting priority communities and groups, e.g. supported playgroups, schools as community centres, family workers and antenatal programs.
why is this program important?
The Families NSW program was implemented in response to research evidence indicating:
- children’s experiences in early childhood determine their health and wellbeing in later life
- investing in children’s early years and trying to give them the best start in life helps prevent problems in the future and is reflected in improved education, employment and national productivity
- prevention and early intervention services can assist families who are vulnerable and help prevent problems from escalating
- early intervention initiatives can help counteract the effects of biological and social disadvantage.
who benefits?
Families NSW services are targeted at families expecting a baby or with children aged 0 to 8 years.
However, some services may be specifically targeted at children and parents from disadvantaged communities, such as children and parents with a disability, from an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander background, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds or parents less than 18 years old.
There are also services which target more vulnerable families, aiming to work with these families earlier to reduce involvement in the statutory child protection system.
what does the program deliver?
Since its inception in 1998, a range of innovative, evidence based services have been put in place through Families NSW. Services established include:
- the universal home visiting scheme for new parents and babies under which more than 70,000 families are offered a home visit each year by child and family health nurses
- Schools as Community Centres (SaCC) – 48 SaCC services statewide to help link families with schools and community networks from early childhood
- more than 300 supported playgroups across NSW
- more than 90 family workers across NSW
- local antenatal programs to assist with the early identification and support of vulnerable families.
More information on the services delivered by other agencies is available on their websites.
Families NSW projects funded through Community Services include:
- Supported playgroups help parents who would not normally access a playgroup to increase their skills and confidence, and let children play and learn in a structured and positive environment.
- Parenting programs help parents to build positive parenting skills. The Triple P (Positive Parenting program) is the NSW Government’s endorsed parenting program that assists families with children aged 3-8 years to access parenting information and support to increase their parenting skills and confidence
- Family workers assist parents of young children by providing support for parenting, and facilitating informal support groups and access to appropriate services.
Families NSW also provides community and sector assistance through supporting
- Partnerships and networks to help service providers work together to coordinate local services
- Community capacity building to strengthen communities, e.g. through volunteering and training programs
- Research and development projects, gathering data to inform future decision making.
how does it work?
Families NSW services are delivered by non-government organisations, funded through Community Services and partner agencies.
Families NSW has a strong focus on an interagency approach with government departments, local government and community organisations working closely with each other to plan deliver services which meet the needs of each area.
The interagency group for each area also monitors services to ensure that they are helping to meet the goal of improved health and wellbeing of children and families in the area.
what funding is attached to this program?
In 2010/11, Community Services program budget for Families NSW is $25.8 million.
what’s happening in 2011/12?
Community Services will continue to grow and develop the suite of comprehensive and locally responsive universal services delivered through Families NSW to support all children and families.
Community Services has completed an evaluation of the Triple P parenting program provided under Families NSW and this will help inform improvements to the program.