Achieving Permanency for Children Through Re-unification

1. Achieving Permanency for Children Through Re-unification

2. hoping you will gain… • an understanding of the key levers of successful restoration work • the importance of the family care plan • measuring progress • prioritizing post-restoration

3. the restoration journey • excellent mistakes from the UK • restoring adolescents back home • self-restoration • Newpin Social Benefit Bond restoration model

4. the Newpin model centres designed to be social and supportive environments pre-Newpin chat a network of peer support befriending from an experienced parent Newpin over 18-24 months 2-4 days / week Personal Development Program includes group therapy and training workshops to develop personal and vocational skills Family Play Program designed to build positive relationships between parents and children and promote children’s optimal development Home visits, restoration family plan and contact visits

5. two case studies • Newpin member ‘Kayla’ • Newpin member ‘Bonnie’

6. Newpindvd – birth parents’ perspectives • Embed DVD

7. themes

8. the family care plan • ‘people generally hit what they aim at’ - Adapted from Lisbeth B. Schorr, Common Purpose, Strengthening Families and Neighbourhoods to Rebuild America

9. parents as contributors • ‘We need to maximise the potential for children who are in state care to be safely re-united with their families’ - Professor Dorothy Scott

10. key elements • Best interests of the child • Clear plan • Collaboration from all stakeholders going in the same direction • Solid measurement of progress (evidence based tool and personal observation) • Parents as contributors • Culturally competent

11. hoping you will gain… • an understanding of the key levers of successful restoration work • the importance of the family care plan • measuring progress • prioritizing post-restoration

12. thanks and questions www.newpin.org.au lmondy@burnside.org.au