Julie Dorans - Casework Consultant ADHC Mandy Pincham - Case Manager ADHC

1. ‘Supporting Families from Diagnosis to Inclusion on a Journey of Empowerment’ Living with a Disability Playgroup Julie Dorans - Casework Consultant ADHC Mandy Pincham - Case Manager ADHC Jane Warren - Illawarra Children’s Services

2. Background • Families NSW funded from 2004 – this is a NSW Government initiative which has, since it’s inception in 1998 invested more than $190 million on innovative, evidence based services. • To meet needs of families in a family centred, strengths based approach. • A collaborative initiative of : • The Illawarra Community Support Team ADHC, and • Illawarra Children’s Services

3. What is a supported playgroup? • A playgroup that is led by trained professionals – both early childhood and welfare trained staff • Specific for families of children with disabilities • Provides opportunities for families to meet other families in a non – threatening, non – judgemental environment • Opens up possibilities that families may have not previously considered

4. FNSW Objectives for Supported Playgroups • Increase parent/carer self esteem and satisfaction with their parenting skills • Expand knowledge base of professionals and parents • Establish contact with health and community services • Increase children’s access to other children’s services • Improve parent-child interaction and relationships • Assist families to develop supportive networks to assist them in the care of their children. • Less isolation and more connection to community • Developmentally appropriate experiences and individually suitable opportunities for children

5. Structure • Playgroup is run over two terms • Playgroup is run in two parts • Children are engaged in appropriate play activities facilitated by a trained Early Childhood Teacher, supported by ADHC staff • Parents group run separately with an ADHC Case Manager, have guest speakers who present on certain key topics of interest eg: pre school, Transition To School, relaxation, grief and loss and parent speakers.

6. Target Population • Families with children who: • Are clients of the Community Support Team • Are under school age • Are newly diagnosed or referred to the Community Support Team

7. Aim • To meet other families who may share similar experiences and develop a network of support within their community to empower them to be self determining (Barnett, Clements, Kaplan-Epstrin and Fialka, 2003) • Provide a safe environment for children to explore, play, learn and grow (Joining the Dots, 2004; Moore; Noah’s Ark, 2003; The Virtual Village, 2005) • To introduce new families to range of services (Social Policy Research Centre Literature Review 2008:3)

8. Overview of Routine • 9.30 am Arrival / Indoor play with basic cause/effect toys, functional play, etc. • 9.45 am Parents to go next door for R & R, speakers, etc. • 10.00 am Morning tea • 10.15 am Parachute or other physical activity • 10.30 am Circle time – focus on sitting for circle time – turn taking, ability to be part of structured group • 10.40 am Sensory box • 10.50 am Painting or playdough • 11.10 am Gross motor play • 11.30 am Playgroup finishes

9. Evaluation • Written evaluations – • Speaker evaluations • Progressive evaluations • Final evaluations • Informal evaluations most important – • PARENTS • Knowledge of family • Relationship based • Informal discussion • Being perceptive to individual parents and children • CHILDREN • Observation of children key to evaluating success of group for them

10. Journey to Empowerment • Allows parents to see their children in a social setting often for the first time • The playgroup offers families opportunities to meet others and create networks of support • The playgroup offers equity through the provision of up to date information and access to resources Lachlan Alex Grace Lily Lauren