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 Newpin is primarily a centre-based early intervention support program. It is based on a theoretical framework, which focuses on the development of healthy attachments between parent and child. Newpin uses a psychotherapeutic approach to assist parents in developing an understanding of their own behaviours and processes that impact on their parenting. Several theoretical frameworks, including parent/child bonding and attachment theory, social learning theory, psychosocial child development instruction, and ecological systems theory within a strengths-based perspective, inform practice.
UnitingCare Burnside has been operating Newpin for 12 years and has made the necessary adaptations of the UK developed program to suit Australian families. Newpin has the advantage of a tested and proven program with established mechanisms that enable an immediate roll out.
Are you interested in starting a Newpin in your area?
For a copy of the current Newpin Prospectus and expression of interest form, please contact:
Ms Liz Sanders
National Program Manager
Newpin Australia
PO Box 495
Rydalmere BC 1701
Phone: 02 9768 6889
Email:
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‘There is no school for parents.
Newpin is like my school. I love it’.
Newpin parent
Newpin empowers parents to create healthier and happier home environment for children. Newpin stops repeating negative and dangerous parenting patterns and helps keep our children safe and out of the formal child protection and out of home care systems. Newpin’s aim is to equip parents to build positive relationships through:
- A quick response with simple referral pathways and providing an 18-month intensive centre based parenting program that parents want to belong to, or alternatively, a one term intensive group work course that gives parents the insight, skills and support to improve their parenting
- Counselling and group work on family relationship issues.
- Referral to other services, such as accommodation and early childhood education and care that support family well-being.
- Strong links to a range of local services e.g. schools, GPs, Community Health Centres.
- An empowering, learning environment where extended contact\access visits can take place under the guidance of staff and where parents learn new skills in readiness for their children to be restored home following a period in out of home care.
- Filling the gap in the current service system where vulnerable families need a deeper, more intensive intervention to make changes to improve their children’s lives.
- Can provide the skills and hope for Prisoners who are parents of young children.
Newpin has been shown to demonstrate improvements in:
- parent/child attachment drawing from bonding and attachment theory and social support theory.
- child development and behaviour through careful monitoring of children's safety and well-being by skilled professional staff
- parenting styles and practices using structured groups that empower parents to gain insight into how their own experience of abuse and neglect in childhood is negatively impacting on their parenting. New parenting skills are taught and practised in a supportive and safe atmosphere
- families' social connections using a family-centred approach - working with parents and children together
- self-esteem and self-confidence through peer support and encouragement that other Newpin families provide, which complements the work of the professional staff
Newpin offers an intervention that is particularly effective in family preservation. The costs of the Newpin program compare very favourably to the high financial and social costs associated with placing children in care and the resulting increased engagement with Government services for all family members.
The potential for the cost benefits of the Newpin program exists in the following areas:
- Reduction in costs associated with child protection. There are strong indications that the program contributes to reduced incidence of child abuse and neglect with consequent savings in expenditure for the Government.
- Reduction in costs associated with entry into out-of-home care. By reducing the incidence of abuse and neglect, Newpin is also reducing the incidence of entry into out-of-home care. There are strong indications of potential savings for Government in the areas of: - Children’s Court proceedings, short and long term out of home care, and Carer payments.
- Reduction in costs associated with juvenile justice. By preventing the incidence of abuse and neglect in participating families, Newpin demonstrates strong potential for cost savings in the areas of: Policing, Court costs, Juvenile detention costs, other costs associated with property and violent offences.
- Increased productivity. Greater likelihood of parents re-entering the workforce. A strength of Newpin is the building up of confidence in parents. This coupled with vocational training and guidance leads to many parents taking up TAFE courses or jobs on exiting Newpin. Parents give feedback that some of the courses they took at Newpin (e.g. Our Skills As Parents) were harder and more challenging than some of the TAFE courses. Newpin works to equip parents well for the life without welfare dependency.
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