child & family services

“This family have been in the Brighter Futures program for 9 months. When we first met them, Mum was fleeing domestic violence, was homeless, and wanted to relinquish care of her infant son as he struggled to sleep for more than 90 minutes at a time and she was beyond exhausted. Mum had previously had contact with other services and felt judged and labelled. She was wary of engaging with Brighter Futures; however, her caseworker continually reassured her that this service was different, and would walk the journey beside her. Fast forward nine months and Mum still has her son in her care, his sleeping has improved and Mum says that she feels confident in parenting him thanks to the one on one in home parenting support provided by Brighter Futures. Mum has also moved into her own private rental and is building a new life for her family. Through Brighter Futures, her son has been able to access preschool, which has contributed to him moving from experiencing delayed development, to age appropriate development in just 9 months.  Mum has asked to stay in the Brighter Futures program as long as possible as she feels supported, understood and listened too. Reflecting on the past 9 months Mum has said she cannot believe the changes that have happened in her life, and never imagined she would get to a place where she enjoys being a Mum.” 

making a difference

What we Do

BRIGHTER FUTURES

The Brighter Futures program delivers targeted services to vulnerable families who have at least one child under 9 years of age, or who are expecting a child. Brighter Futures is a voluntary program that aims to provide families with the necessary services and support to help prevent an escalation of any emerging child safety and well-being issues. 

 

The core principles of Brighter Futures program are:

  • Voluntary – participation in the program is voluntary.
  • Child centred – the focus of intervention is on outcomes for children.
  • Family focussed – services are flexible and responsive to the particular needs of each family in the program.
  • Strengths based – strengths based approach involves recognising, fostering and building on people’s skills, capacities and competencies.
  • Integrated service delivery – case management is coordinated so that families can access the different services and supports they require through one case manager.

 

Geographical area covered

  • Hawkesbury Local Government Area

Key program functions

  • Supported playgroup
  • Parent education groups
  • Parent support groups
  • Children’s groups
  • Home visiting – casework
  • Home visiting – structured in home parenting
  • Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Spring Family Camp (in partnership with BF Blue Mountains)
  • Casework brokerage

Partnerships, relationships and referrals

  • Wesley Mission – Nepean, Blacktown and Cumberland
  • Family & Community Services – Hawkesbury CSC
  • Hawkesbury Community Health
  • Hawkesbury Family Support – Richmond
  • LINCS – volunteer home visiting scheme
  • Merana Aboriginal Association for the Hawkesbury
  • The Women’s Cottage
  • Bridging the Gap – St Marys
  • Housing NSW
  • Hawkesbury Community Services ER program; Community FoodCare program
  • Your Town – San Miguel Family Centre
  • Hawkesbury Early Childhood Intervention Service
  • Bobby D Speech Pathology
  • Headstart Early Learning Centre
  • Greenhills Early Learning Centre
  • McGraths Hill Early Learning Centre
  • Carita Children’s Centre
  • My First School
  • Glendenning Preschool
  • Elizabeth Street Child Care Centre
  • Richmond Preschool
  • Wilberforce Early Learning Centre
  • Hannah Early Learning Centre
  • Koala Corner
  • Little Smarties
  • Relationships Australia
  • Mountain Climbing Community Centre – Daycare
  • Peppercorn Family Services Playgroup – Wisemans Ferry
  • Anglicare
  • Nordoff Robbins – Music Therapy
  • The Friendship Centre
  • McKenzie House
  • Likemind
  • Headspace
  • Hawkesbury House
  • Bernadette Keegan – Psychologist
  • Cara House
  • Gateway Family Services
  • Penrith Psychology

Network meetings and community events

  • Regional Family Services Forums – Springwood
  • Right Connections – early intervention network/events
  • Hawkesbury Multicultural Network
  • Hawkesbury Action Network Against Domestic Violence
  • NAIDOC Week celebrations
  • Reclaim the Night
  • Child Protection Interest Group/events
  • Paint the Town READ
  • Merana Aboriginal Family Fun Days

mercy

is not a

feeling

–

it’s an

action