Parent Peer Support Project

https://finclusionh.org

This project would support continuation of support and advocacy services for parents and family who are currently interacting with child protection authorities. The services are provided by peer support workers who are parents with lived experiences of child protection and out-of-home care systems, including restoration and working with child protection workers, lawyers, and carers.

Funding for this project will allow peer support workers to support vulnerable families through:

Court support: Emotional support and companionship for parents appearing in court for care and protection matters, sharing peers’ own stories of navigating systems and processes, and providing service and program information (two peer workers, once per week, Broadmeadow Children’s Court, Newcastle).
Phone support: Support and advice for parents who are navigating child protection and out-of home care systems and learning to have richer relationships with their children in care, including sharing experiences of the systems, tips and advice, and finding parenting and therapeutic services (free call, one peer worker, four hours on weekdays).