Community and Family Studies HSC Enrichment Day 2010 Parenting and Caring

Focus Question 1 Explain the unique challenges that adopted children and their social parents may experience (4 marks) Syllabus content required Students learn about: Social parents adoption fostering step-parenting surrogacy Preparations for becoming a parent or carer social changes parents and carers may have to make emotional preparations for the new relationships economic Resources – time – energy – finances – housing

Definitions SOCIAL PARENT: social parents are not genetically related to the child but participate in the role of parenting This includes: Adoption Fostering Step – Parenting FOSTERING NSW Growing together

Challenges adopted children and their social parents may experience CHALLENGES SOCIAL CHANGES EMOTIONAL CHANGES TIME ENERGY FINANCES RESOURCES

Focus Question 1 Sample Response The suggested mark for this response, based on the provided marking guide, would be 3 out of 4...WHY? Main points that should have been identified in the response POSITIVE Defined Adoption Detailed description of the emotional challenges experienced by the child NEGATIVE No discussion about the challenges experienced by the social parent

Focus Question 2 Identify TWO support groups for carers and describe how they contribute to individual wellbeing (6 marks) Syllabus content required Students Learn About support for parents and carers health services welfare agencies parenting groups community groups government agencies childcare services carers’ support groups

CARER : Individual who provides paid or unpaid help to a person due to their AID A-Age I-Illness D-Disability Definitions WELLBEING : the degree of satisfaction experienced by individuals, dependant on needs met S-Social P-Physical E-Emotional E-Economic P-Political S-Spiritual SUPPORT : practical help or sympathy and encouragement received from others, e.g. friends, family, or charitable organisations

Identify TWO support groups for carers Health Services Welfare agencies Parenting groups Community groups Government agencies Childcare services Carers’ support groups Each of these services can contribute in some way to individual wellbeing (SPEEPS).

TYPE OF SUPPORT SERVICES Role played EXAMPLE OF CARER SUPPORT AGENCY Health services Medical Welfare agency Gov and Non Gov support Parenting group Forums to assist carers to meet the needs of the children in their care Community group Local Assistance Government agency Bodies created to support P & C Childcare service Care during day Carers' support group Forums to assist carers address issues around wellbeing HACC - Home and Community Care DOCS Family life- Grandparents Crossroads - Caring for Carers Centrelink Before - After school care services-OOSH Carers Australia

How do childcare services support the role of parents and carers? Assists child to develop optimally Teaches children the skills for school and society (socialisation) and provides appropriate role models Allow parents and carers a break Provides courses on health, educational or emotional issues

How do Carers Australia services support the role of parents and carers? PURPOSE: To improve the lives of carers SERVICES: Counselling, advice, advocacy, education, promotion of the role of carers and to provide information and assistance to a broad spectrum of carers including youth VISION: all carers are recognised, valued and supported by the community and by governments

Issues to consider HSC VERB TYPE OF SERVICE SUPPORT OFFERED IMPACT ON WELLBEING Describe how they contribute to individual wellbeing Carer Person being cared for

Conclusion Concepts to take away from today : Changes to Parenting and Caring questions for 2010 and beyond Know your verbs Know your syllabus Know some of the key definitions (especially wellbeing) Know lots of examples – try not to use local examples...find yourself a range of relevant state/national ideas to take into the exam