Support for Parents and Carers

LESSON OBJECTIVE: To learn about the types of support for parents and carers: - family, friends, neighbours - formal: government agencies, community organisations

SUCCESS CRITERIA: To be able to explain how different types of support can assist parents and carers to - prepare for their roles (PBS) - fulfil their responsibilities (DDS) - maintain their own wellbeing (SPEECS)

Edrolo

When a parent cannot fulfil their responsibilities, they may access support of some type. Formal or informal support acts as an extra set of human resources, bringing in new skills and more time to the situation. With more resources, parents and carers are more likely to be able to prepare for their roles, fulfil their responsibilities and thus maintain their own wellbeing.

Informal support includes the support provided by immediate relatives, friends, neighbours to parents and carers. This support is voluntary in nature and no payment or incentive is provided to the individuals providing support.

Formal support include the structured organisations that are either profitable or not-for profit community organisations or charities, for example, a private psychologist versus the Salvation Army Counselling service. The government also provides support through agencies such as the Department of Communities and Justice and Centrelink. Support is usually from trained workers and offers either specified support or a range of specified supports.

Should grandparents get paid for babysitting their grandkids?Australian newspaper The Courier Mail started an interesting debate by posing this question: Should grandparents get cash for babysitting their grandchildren? NBC’s Dylan Dreyer, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager and Stephanie Gosk weigh in on the question, as well as new guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics that calls spanking "ineffective and harmful."

Informal support from Grandparents: Watch and discuss your thoughts on payments for informal support.

What impact does informal support provided by grandparents have on parents, grandparents and children?
Propose what you might do as a parent when your own parents have opinions about parenting that are different to your own.

Types of Support

Look at the syllabus for this content area and see how it applies.

Complete the Two documents below

Brainstorm how informal supports (FFN) and formal agencies (govt and community) can assist in preparing parents/carers for their roles

Types Services provided through Formal Support

Exam Prep questions:

Examine how access to childcare services affects the wellbeing of first time parents (6)
Explain how formal support services can assist first time parents fulfill their responsibilities (5)
Discuss how access to respite care for an aged carer can impact on their wellbeing (4)
Explain how informal support assists parents and carers (4)

Past HSC Questions

Question 23 (6 marks) Explain the benefits of a variety of different support options available for working parents. (NSEA 2021)
How can informal support assist parents to fulfil their parental responsibilities (4) 2015
Explain how respite care can support the wellbeing of both young and aged carers. (5) 2024

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