Strengthening families
December 5, 2024
An early years parenting support program offered by Anglicare in the State’s North West is making families stronger and creating meaningful change for infants and young children.
The NESTS (North West Early Start Therapeutic Support) program reached more than 80 children under the age of five and their care-givers between July 2023 and June 2024.
Senior Program Manager for Families, Children and Young People at Anglicare, Tameeka Crawford, said NESTS aims to improve bonding and attachment between babies, infants and young children and their caregivers, which in turn improves the child’s safety and wellbeing.
“We promote care-giving that is consistent, predictable and warm so that children feel loved and safe,” she explained.
“Childhood experiences such as growing up in a family affected by poverty, substance misuse, chronic stress (trauma), or exposure to abuse and family violence can result in life-long challenges for the child as they move into and through adulthood.
“Our NESTS program works to address these risk factors by partnering with families who have children from the prenatal stage to age five,” she said.
“NESTS focuses on improving family functioning and increasing parents’ knowledge about brain development in young children. It emphasises the importance of safe, nurturing environments at home and encourages the family’s participation in their local community.”
NESTS team members working directly with families report that supporting parents and caregivers creates meaningful change for children:
The program offers hope that things can improve and equips families to achieve their goals.
Encouraging parents to prioritise self-care is transformative. It challenges the notion that they must give everything of themselves and helps create healthier, more sustainable family dynamics.
Advocating for children often means supporting parents to understand brain development and adjust their expectations to what is reasonable and developmentally appropriate.
Our work always considers the family’s lived experience and context.
And from a parent about her support worker: “She helped get my life back. NESTS is a big reason I am where I am today. Thank you.”
More information about NESTS
NESTS is a FREE voluntary program offered by Anglicare in North West Tasmania on behalf of the Tasmanian Government. Visit this web page to download a brochure.
A trained professional will come to your home on a regular basis and support you to reach your parenting goals. You are welcome to invite other members of your family to join the sessions.
There are vacancies in the NESTS program. In order to join, you will need to contact Strong Families, Safe Kids on 1800 000 123 and ask for a referral.
