Kids in Focus

Kids in Focus is a unique service aimed at working with families and carers where there is substance misuse by providing integrated, long term and intensive support to vulnerable families and children at risk.

Program information

The Barnardos Kids in Focus (KiF) Program empowers parents to parent more effectively. It provides assistance to Canberra families experiencing complications arising because of AOD misuse.

Family difficulties may include problems related to:

• parenting

• family relationships

• housing

• living skills

• budgeting

• addiction issues

• comorbidity (mental health issues arising from alcohol and drug misuse)

• social isolation

• loneliness

Assisting children

Early interventions, practical, psycho-social and emotional support is provided to children:

• providing safety

• reducing harms

• minimising risks

• empowering children/parents to thrive

• encouragement

• referral to and assistance linking with community and professional resources/services

Case management

The duration of case management will be for an average 6 to 12 months and will include assessment through a strengths based, solutions focus with practical assistance in the family home, referral and support to access programs and other services within the ACT to address identified needs.

Outcomes

‘To increase access to and timely provision of integrated services for families in a community context, particularly vulnerable and at-risk families, to improve child development, safety and family functioning.’

• Reducing emotional, social and economic impact

• Strengthening family capacity

• Reducing psychological and physical harms

• Empowering children and parents to thrive

• Enhancing family and relationship functioning

• Improving parenting skills

• Reducing alcohol and drug intake towards recovery

Kids in Focus (KiF) offers:

• a range of child focused interventions

• increase in parenting capacity

• building strength and resilience

• support and encouragement

• building healthy parent/child relationships

• family inclusive practice

• providing safe family environments

• referrals to professional and community services

For further information and to make a referral contact

Alison Taylor

Phone: (02) 51346718

Email: [email protected]