The City of Whittlesea is one of four Victorian councils chosen to be part of a government-funded trial to promote family well-being and child development.
The city will get $1.5 million to ensure children with complex needs get help through its maternal child health service.
The council’s community services director Russell Hopkins said the money would fund a three-year study of young mothers and mothers needing extra parenting support.
“It aims to improve parent-child relationships and encourage an early learning environment – ultimately leading to success at school,” Mr Hopkins said.
“This study offers council nurses an excellent training model to assist families requiring additional support in the early years. It will also provide valuable skills to the nursing team for future work with families.
“The nursing team will assist these families to access group work [such as playgroups and parenting groups] and local community agencies.
“If successful, the trial may change the way we currently work and enhance the model of care and education for families in Whittlesea.”
Mr Hopkins said 100 mothers would be recruited for the trial through the Northern Hospital’s antenatal program.
A maternal child health nurse would visit them at home, and a range of services would support them until the child turned two.
“The trial is about helping to strengthen parent-child relationships, and in turn encourage a positive early learning environment to improve child outcome,” Mr Hopkins said.
