Free programs for parents

By Lachlan Ellis

It’s currently Children’s Week, and Cafs (Child & Family Services Ballarat) is celebrating the occasion with a suite of free parenting programs.

Children’s Week runs from October 22 – 30, and the theme this year is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Article 27 – ‘All children have the right to a standard of living that supports their wellbeing and healthy development’.

Early Help aligns to the Victorian Government’s Roadmap to Reform, and is one of three key service areas for Cafs.

“In caring for the wellbeing of children, we recognise the need to support parents in understanding and responding to behaviours. That is what our Parenting Groups aim to do,” Rebecca Pilven, Cafs Team Leader Family and Disability Case Management, said.

“At Cafs we focus strongly on an early help approach. By giving families the skills necessary to build strong, meaningful relationships we can interrupt patterns of need and vulnerability in our community.”

Among the free Early Help Group Programs on offer are ‘Circle of Security’, an 8-week program designed for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 12 years who want to strengthen the bonds with their children, the 9-week ‘Understanding Your Child’ program for parents and carers with children from 18 months to 18 years, and ‘Tuning Into Teens’, which helps parents and carers of children 12 to 18 years old talk and with and understand their child, and help them manage their emotions.

Cafs also offers five weekly parenting groups, and a schools-based program for Grade 5 and 6 children.

Ms Pilven said Cafs was working to ensure the parenting program is available to Moorabool residents.

“Depending on demand, we offer these programs in person at our Cafs Bacchus Marsh site on Grant Street or with groups of clients from across all Central Highlands online. We are also happy to deliver our school program to any primary school across Central Highlands,” she said.

Anyone with enquiries about Cafs Parenting Groups can contact Cafs on 1800 692 237.