Recognising parenting programs that really work
The challenge
To ensure parenting programs, practices and service models delivered in NSW are based on the best available evidence.
Who we’re working with
We’re supporting the NSW Department of Family and Community Services as it continues its major reform of the state’s family support system. These reforms target families earlier, to avoid them coming into contact with the child protection system. As part of this work we’re focussing on ensuring that parents receive effective parenting support programs and services. And we’re combining what we know from evidence with what makes sense on the ground.
What we’re doing
We first conducted a review of parenting programs and found 57 with good evidence for improving child outcomes. Then, we described some key considerations for implementing best practice parenting support.
But we know that ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions aren’t always suitable or affordable for community service agencies and sometimes they don’t match target group needs. So we’re now working with the Department to develop a Parenting Support Assessment Framework. Applying this assessment framework will give agencies the opportunity to examine what they’re offering to ensure they’re making a real difference for families. They will also have their innovative work better recognised.
Next steps
Our review of the evidence has added to the knowledge base on best-practice parenting support. The Parenting Support Assessment Framework will be rolled out across NSW during 2018 as part of Targeted Earlier Intervention reform. It will be used to help make decisions about which additional parenting support programs to deliver, with a view to supporting local innovation and evidence building.
Learn more
- Read an earlier major review we conducted on the evidence for Australian parenting programs
- Read the Review of the evidence for intensive family service models we conducted for the NSW Department of Family and community Services
- Contact our experts to discuss how we might work with you to better use what we know from research