The Brighter Futures Illawarra team believes all children have the right to a healthy, happy life and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Brighter Futures program provides support and services to help families give their children a good start in life. Brighter Futures is a voluntary program designed for families who are encountering problems that may impact the family’s ability to care for their children. Sometimes some extra help is all that is needed to prevent family problems from getting bigger. Brighter Futures can offer significant benefits to children and families. CareSouth Brighter Futures is available for families who live between Gerroa and Helensburg. For the Shoalhaven Brighter Futures Program contact Mission Australia.
Program Goals
Together we work towards:
- Healthy development in children
- Strong, functional and well supported families
- Reduced child abuse and neglect in participating families
Support for Families
The Brighter Futures program is for families with one or more children under the age of nine, or families who are expecting a child and who find parenting difficult, due to specific issues such as:
- Domestic violence
- Parental drug and alcohol misuse
- Parental mental health issues
- Lack of parenting skills or inadequate supervision
- Parents with significant learning difficulties or intellectual disability
How Can a Family Get Involved?
There are two ways a family can become involved in the program:
- With a family’s permission a community agency can refer them to a Brighter Futures Program.
- A family that has been reported to the Family and Community Services Helpline may be invited to join the Brighter Futures Program.
Family and Community Services will always determine a family’s eligibility regardless of how the family has been referred to the Program.
Services Provided
Families in the Brighter Futures program will receive ongoing case management support and at least two of the service options:
- Home Visiting – focuses on providing information, practical support and skills to parents in their home
- Parenting programs – help parents improve their relationship with their children, and prevent or address a range of issues families face including managing children’s behavioural and emotional problems
- Quality children’s services – offer small group sizes and skilled, qualified and consistent childcare staff.
- Case management support allows parents and their family worker to plan together for the services that will best support their family. A family worker is then able to coordinate services to ensure that families access the right services and support at the right time. The family worker will regularly review with parents the services and supports families are using and respond to the changing needs of families.
The Brighter Futures program acknowledges parents are the experts when it comes to their family. Families will be involved in decisions about which services are provided, and what families want to achieve for their family in a cultural context.
As a result, services and support will vary according to each family’s needs and will be provided for an average time of 18 months to two years to have a lasting effect.
Whether or not a family takes part in the program, accepts particular services or continues in the program is completely up to the family. Privacy and confidentiality will always be respected..
I’ve Been Referred to this Service
Brighter Futures recognises that as a parent you already have skills and expertise when it comes to understanding what works for your family. If your family is facing difficulties and you have been referred to the Brighter Futures program, a family worker will contact you, listen to you and discuss how the Brighter Futures program may be able to assist you and your family.
Can I Receive this Service?
If you are finding parenting your children difficult because of other problems in your life such as domestic violence, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems, or you experience learning difficulties or an intellectual disability, a family worker can talk about these problems with you and discuss how the Brighter Futures program may be able to assist you and your family. CareSouth Brighter Futures is available for families who live between Gerroa and Helensburgh.
For the Shoalhaven Brighter Futures Program contact Mission Australia on 4422 0455.
