Family Support Service

1. Family Support Service

2. “ The mission of Australian Red Cross is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity both in Australia and overseas.” Vision Statement

3. The Seven Fundamental Principles of Red Cross • Humanity • Impartiality • Neutrality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality These guide the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in all its humanitarian activities

4. Aim of the Family Support Service To ease the burden placed on families who are experiencing postnatal depression, depressive illness, social isolation or multiple births To provide an opportunity and safe environment for parents to increase their coping abilities in relation to family stress

5. Target Group The Family Support Service provides practical assistance and social support to families who are facing extra challenges in adjusting to their parenting role. At least one child must be under the age of 12 months. It is an early intervention service that offers respite and in-home social support to – • Multiple Birth Families • Mothers experiencing postnatal depression or at risk of • developing postnatal depression • Families who are socially isolated

6. Referrals The majority of referrals are received from – Department for Community Development Multiple Birth Association PND Groups Self-referral Child Health Nurses Hospitals Parent Link Mental Health Services

7. Operational Location Perth Metro Mandurah Bunbury Busselton Kalgoorlie

8. Service Model – Family Assessment Referral Received • Initial assessment • Undertaken by Staff (1 full-time Manager, 1 full-time field officer, 4 part-time field officers). • Determines a family’s suitability for accessing the service, the family structure and the family needs • Volunteer’s role is explained to the family • Volunteer Placement • Visit once a week for approximately five hours • Visits continue for as long as is required (up to 1 year)

9. Service Model – Family Assessment(cont.) Ongoing Assessment Held every 6 – 8 weeks by a staff member to assess progress of the family The volunteer is contacted prior to each visit to determine what assistance is being given to the family and progress being achieved Once a family has suitably progressed, the volunteer will withdraw • Community Links • Staff ensure that families are linked with community support agencies e.g. Child Health Nurse, playgroups, parenting groups

10. Role of the Volunteer Practical Support – bathing, feeding, preparing meals for children, settling babies • Role Modelling – volunteers encourage positive interaction • between parents and children (play, talking, discipline) to • develop a child’s social and cognitive development • Emotional Support – “being there” for the mother, the • willingness to listen without being judgemental or giving advice • Social Support – supporting families in developing social networks • and linking to community resources Volunteers do not direct or give advice to families

11. FAMILY SUPPORT VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT PROCESS

12. FAMILY SUPPORT VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT PROCESS Reference checks Volunteer Standards Other training e.g. First Aid Satisfaction of Volunteer and Family Client Outcomes Need for On-going Service Assess Volunteers skill level and special expertise

13. Reasons for success as volunteer managers • Professional Volunteer Management and volunteer standards • Screening processes – reference checks, volunteer database • Appropriate in-service training – including Induction and First Aid Training • Red Cross Principle of Neutrality / boundaries – linked to training • Matching processes – according to volunteer skills and needs of the families • Reward and recognition systems – based on merit and length of service

14. Statistics(2002 – 2003) • No. Families Assisted – 485 • No. Volunteers – 398 • Total Hours Provided to Families – 30,000 • Average number of hours provided per volunteer p.a. - 200 • Number of Children Assisted – 1115 • Average length of volunteer service – 1.5 years

15. Outcome Objectives • Families develop their knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively manage their own lives • Families and individuals develop, or are linked to, social • support networks and other community resources • Families consider themselves better equipped to work • through and manage stressful family situations • Volunteers work in partnership with families to enhance their • capacity to link with other people, groups or resources

16. Evaluation of the Service Quantitative Measures • Assessment Form • Exit Questionnaire Qualitative Measures • Case Notes • Feedback from referring agencies • Feedback from volunteers • Family Affirmations

17. Evaluation of the Service cont. Entry and Exit Questionnaire Q 7 I experience feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness Of those reporting a shift - 67% positive, 33% negative Q 12 I participate in community groups/activities e.g. playgroups, friendship groups, support groups, parenting groups Of those reporting a shift - 74% positive, 26% negative Q 10 I feel anxious and worried Of those reporting a shift - 83% positive, 17% negative

18. Evaluation of the Service cont. Family Affirmations If it had not been for my volunteer, I would never have gotten to the PND group, I was simply to tired to even think about it. I don’t have money to pay for babysitting. I used my volunteer time to see a counsellor My volunteer stayed with my baby, so that time I spent with Brodie and we had so much fun together. My son has changed and so have I. We now have a lovely close relationship. My husband and I used the volunteer time to have lunch together. I cannot remember when last we sat down together, without the four children, just talking and enjoying each other’s company My life has changed, my whole family’s life has changed. I used the time to do a parenting course, now things are so different. Sally was so supportive, I wish I could have her forever, but I know she is needed for another family.