Parent Pathways is a voluntary service that provides personalised assistance and financial support to eligible parents and carers of children up to the age of 6 years.
Parent Pathways is about parents and carers and their individual needs. With the help of a qualified mentor, you can receive flexible support to assist with any personal, study or work goals.
Who is Parent Pathways for?
Parent Pathways is for parents and carers who:
- have a child aged under 6
- are not in paid employment
- live in an area where there is a Parent Pathways provider.
Receiving one of these payments:
- Parenting Payment
- Carer Payment
- Special Benefit.
Eligibility includes those who are not getting a Centrelink payment, and are either:
- under 22 years old
- an early school leaver (parents who don't have a year 12 qualification)
- a First Nations parent or carer.
What support is available?
The service offers a range of support options, including working with a mentor to find activities, services and training that meets your needs. Some services on offer include:
- language or literacy programs
- support to find a child care centre and help with child care costs
- financial support, for example to help with the cost of training courses, text books or to purchase a computer
- referral to supports such as financial information services or family and domestic violence support services
- training, such as a short course at the local TAFE
- career guidance.
Taking part in the service is voluntary and flexible. You can choose to join, leave, take a break and come back at any time. The service is focused on you and your individual needs.
How does Parent Pathways work?
Parent Pathways is entirely voluntary and focused on you and your individual needs and circumstances. If you choose to take part, you will work together with a mentor to develop a plan that suits you and your family.
Parenting is busy work, and you don’t need to do anything that doesn’t fit in with your family life. If an activity doesn’t work for you or your situation changes, your mentor can help you find the right services or activities. If you need more support, your mentor can help you access services in the local community.
You might attend appointments in person, over the phone or online. If you do attend in person, your children are always welcome. The service is family friendly, so if you need to reschedule or cancel appointments, that’s okay.
Once you and your mentor develop a Goal Plan, you’ll receive ongoing support to achieve your goals.
You can contact a Parent Pathways provider in your local area if you’re interested in finding out more about the service.
How is Parent Pathways delivered?
Parent Pathways is delivered by providers who were selected through a competitive tender process.
Parent Pathways is also being delivered by the Australian Government in Playford, Gawler, and surrounding local government areas in South Australia.
In-language resources available
Translated Parent Pathways resources are available for download in:
Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese Simplified, Dari, English and Vietnamese.
These include fact sheets, post card, brochure and social media images.
Easy Read versions of the fact sheet, brochure and poster are also available for download.
Contact
If you have questions or feedback, call our National Customer Service Line 1800 805 260.