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Start Project Sites > Supported Parent Groups and Playgroups
initiative
The Supported Parent Group and Playgroup Initiative (SPPI) was announced in the Victorian Government;s social policy statement, A Fairer Victoria, as part of a four-year, $101.8 million package to give children the best start in life.
It aims to provide quality play opportunities at a critical time in a child;s development (0-3 years of age). These opportunities will foster children's language development, develop motor skills and expose children to sensory experiences. It will also provide families with opportunities to establish friendships and long-term social support structures that strengthen social networks and provide community connectedness.
Fourteen of the Best Start project sites have received funding to implement this initiative. This approach aims to build on the existing Best Start Partnerships and their local networks.
Background
What are Playgroups and Parent Groups?
Playgroups provide quality play opportunities at a critical time in a child;s development (0-3 years of age). Play fosters a child;s language development, develops motor skills and exposes them to sensory experiences (Centre for Community Child Health, 2003). Playgroups also provide families with opportunities to establish friendships and long-term social support structures that strengthen social networks and provide community connectedness (Playgroup Victoria, 2006)
Playgroups:
- provide developmentally appropriate play experiences;
- encourage growth and development;
- promote wellbeing and builds life skills;
- promote and enhance parenting skills
- develop social networks; and
- create pathways to other services.
Supported playgroups involve, or are lead by, a playgroup facilitator (also known as a co-ordinator or leader).;
Parent groups create an opportunity for parents to meet in a non-judgmental and supportive environment to share their experiences and establish supportive networks that increase their ability to function to their full potential.
Supported parent groups also:
- create an environment of trust that is physically and emotionally safe and supportive;
- provide opportunities to enhance parenting skills and understanding of children;s developmental needs;
- facilitate friendships between parents/carers;
- encourage the social development of each parent;
- implement appropriate interventions to facilitate parent;s community connectedness and independence; and
- create pathways to other services.
Many parent groups of this nature already exist.; For example, maternal and child health services run parent groups, including first time parent groups, dads groups and groups for women with postnatal depression.; Family support services, early parenting centres and other secondary services, including mental health, also run broad and targeted parent support groups as part of regular education calendars.
A supported parent group and playgroup may meet the aims of both a parent group and playgroup.; These sessions might commence with parents and children together for structured activities, then provide parents and children time apart, and finish with shared time again.
Aims, Target Group and Project sites
Aims
The aims of this initiative are to:
- promote improved outcomes for children, increase parent confidence and capacity and support the establishment of social networks;
- model and support developmentally appropriate play experiences and parenting practices; and
- promote and support participation in the maternal and child health service and kindergarten programs and to link families to other services and supports.
Target group
This initiative aims to engage disadvantaged and isolated families who may otherwise not access these services.; Four population groups known to require particular attention are:
- Indigenous children and families
- recent/high need immigrant (including refugee) children and families
- families affected by disability
- families affected by chronic disadvantage and with complex needs.
Supported Parent Group and Playgroup project sites:
The following Best Start sites have implemented this Supported Parent Groups and Playgroups Initiative: (hyperlink to the Best Start Project sites)
Supported Parent Group and Playgroup Guidelines [PDF, 440KB]
Reporting Requirements (download PDF here)
Intensive Playgroups
An intensive playgroup is currently being run at Moreland Hall. This program provides an intensive support service for parents alongside a playgroup. The support for parents includes a family support service to enable supervised access to take place. It also provides opportunistic alcohol and other drug treatment and support service for parents.; The playgroup has found that the parents are more likely to be involved as a result of the support being linked to the needs of their children.;
There have been a number of positive outcomes from this intensive playgroup. The playgroup has engaging families who do not access universal services (e.g. maternal and child health, kindergartens). This playgroup has also provided support, treatment and referral for children and parents
The project sites work with the following partners:
Playgroup Victoria
Playgroup Victoria has been funded to support the establishment and implementation of this initiative. This support includes:
- compiling the annual statewide report on the implementation of the supported parent group and playgroup initiative;
- Inviting new staff to participate in existing playgroup leader and agency networks;
- Providing resources and induction for new playgroup facilitators on request;
- developing resource material for supported parent groups and playgroups as appropriate, including a supplement to the Playgroup Manual; and
- establishment of an annual statewide forum on playgroups.
Find out more about Playgroup Victoria
Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA)
PANDA is a Victorian, not-for-profit, self-help organisation that was to provide confidential information, support and referral to anyone affected by post and antenatal mood disorders, including partners and extended family members. PANDA offers:
- Telephone support and information, provided by staff and trained volunteers;
- Resources and information on antenatal and postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis;
- Information and referral details for supports and services in your area;
- Information, education and training seminars for professionals and community groups;
- Staff and trained volunteers as guest speakers;
- Community information displays; and
- Regular newsletters to members.
As part of this initiative, PANDA will work closely with the local early year partnerships in the funded Best Start project sites to provide community based workshops to support the development of supported parents groups.
Find out more about PANDA
Read about the Best Start Initiative partners
The Best Start sites work with the following partners and programs:
Australian Breastfeeding Association
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is a voluntary organisation of people interested in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. ABA have been funded to implement peer support projects in 4 local government areas across the State to target and promote breastfeeding in Culturally and Linguistically (CALD) and Aboriginal communities in Victoria.
Find out more about the Australian Breastfeeding Association
Kids - 'Go for your life'
Kids -'Go for your life' is a statewide initiative funded by the State Government and managed by Diabetes Australia Vic and The Cancer Council Victoria. Kids -'Go for your life' supports children's settings in creating healthier environments where children can enjoy healthy eating and physical activity every day.
Find out more about Kids -'Go for your life'
Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL)
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) was established in 1984. A peak Aboriginal based and community controlled organisation that covers metropolitan Melbourne as well as regional areas throughout Victoria. VACSAL supports and manages a number of community programs as well as providing strategic advice to Aboriginal Organisations and Government bodies on issues impacting on Aboriginal people. The organisation is seen as key advocate that has representation on over 85 local, regional and state reference/advisory committees.
VACSAL works from the following philosophical base in all of its advocacy work and service provision that of:
- Community and individual choices;
- Self-determination and managing change;
- Strengthening identity;
- Strengthening Culture;
- Strengthening families.
VACSAL's current programs are: Juvenile Justice (Bert Williams Centre, Bert Williams Hostel, Youth Affairs), Aboriginal Early Years (Aboriginal Best Start, Aboriginal Signposts project), Family & Support Services (Family Violence, Indigenous Men's Resource & Advisory Service, VACSAL Aboriginal Gambling Awareness Services, problem gambling strategy), Training (Cultural Awareness training, Staff Development, Organisation planning), Justice (Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, Community Development, Brokerage)
VACSAL have been funded to support the development of the Aboriginal Best Start project sites. In addition, they are working with the generic Best Start sites to support their work with Aboriginal communities.
The Koori Maternity Services Program
The Koori Maternity Strategy is a statewide program aimed at improving the birthing experiences and birthing outcomes experienced by Koori women in Victoria. The Koori Maternity Strategy provides culturally appropriate care and support to Koori women during pregnancy, birth and in the immediate postnatal period. This program is provided through a partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and Victorian Aboriginal Cooperatives throughout Victoria.
Find out more about Koori Maternity Services Program
In Home Support for Aboriginal Families
This initiative seeks to build on the service delivery strengths implemented through Koori Maternity Services as children move through infancy into the next stages of early childhood up to three years of age. It provides an opportunity to take an integrated approach to optimising outcomes for all indigenous mothers and young children. It builds on a universal platform, but still delivers additional supports where they are both most needed and most likely to be effective.
The In Home Support initiative creates a service model aimed at producing positive health, development, learning, safety and wellbeing outcomes for children, parents and the wider Aboriginal community while allowing flexibility for local Aboriginal Cooperatives to respond to current and emerging community requirements.
Find out more about the In Home Support initiative.
Koorie Early Childhood Education Program (KECEP)
This program works with Koorie communities and organisations to support Koorie children and their families to access and participate in kindergarten. The program works within kindergartens to promote the understanding of Koorie culture. The program is implemented in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI).
Find out more about the Koorie Early Childhood Education Program
Kidsafe
Kidsafe, the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, is an independent, non-profit, non-government charitable foundation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional death and injury to children. Kidsafe conducts injury prevention programs, media campaigns, provides information, develops educational resources and initiates special programs to raise awareness of child safety issues and injury prevention throughout the community.
Find out more about Kidsafe
Read about the Supported Parent Group and Playgroup Initiative partners (hyperlink to new subsection)
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