CAFS - PARENTING AND CARING

what is a social parent?

one who has parental responsibilities for a child they do not share a genetic relationship

what is adoption?

the legal process where all legal rights and responsibilities are transferred from birth parents to adoptive parents

what is open adoption?

involvement of birth parents in the adoption and support sharing of information, contact and building relationships, which are based on the child's best interests

what ages of the child do local adoptions occur?

birth-2 years old

what is local adoption?

birth parents voluntarily make a decision to have their child adopted

what is permanent care? (type of adoption)

unable to remain in care of their parents or family members. Become under responsibility of Family and Community services

what is out-of-home adoption?

children are placed with authorised careers after assessed that they're unable to live with parents/ family

what is intercountry adoption?

between Australia and country that is a member of the Hague Convention

what is intrafamily adoption?

adoption of child in NSW by step-parent or relative

what is fostering?

an alternative living arrangement for children whose parents are temporarily unable to care for them in the family home

why are children put into foster care?

- considered to be at risk EG domestic violence or abuse
- basic physical and emotional needs not met

what is a risk of a child that makes them go into foster care?

domestic violence or abuse

what is the role of foster parents?

to meet the needs of the child they are taking care of whilst parents get help to change

what is step-parenting?

when a person marries a person with children, they become the child's step parent

what is surrogacy?

arrangement where a women (the surrogate) offers to carry a baby through pregnancy on behalf of another person/ couple who cannot have children. The baby is then transferred to the intending parents by a parenting order

who issues the parenting order when going through the transfer of baby from surrogate mother to legal parent/s?

NSW Supreme Court

what is altruistic surrogacy?

- surrogate mother isn't paid
- usually involves family members

can altruistic and commercial surrogacy legally occur in Australia?

altruistic- yes
commercial- no

what are the conditions of a surrogate?

- age (25-52)
- previously been pregnant with no issues
- relationship with intending parents for at least 6 moths
- no psychiatric disorder

what are some implications/issues of a child who has been born through surrogacy?

- confusion and loss of identity
- whether they want a relationship with surrogate which could cause conflict with biological parents if they don't want his

what are some implications/issues of a surrogate who has been a surrogate mother?

- physical issues from pregnancy EG morning sickness, weight gain, discomfort, labour complications
- feeling loss after birth

what are some implications/issues of a intended/legal parent who has goes through the surrogacy process for their child?

- issues with bonding
- mum can't breastfeed

what is commercial surrogacy?

women is paid to carry a baby through pregnancy for another person/couple

what is a carer?

a person who provides unpaid ongoing personal care, support and assistance to a relative or friend

what are reasons why a dependent needs to be cared for?

- disability
- mental illness
- chronic condition
- terminal illness
- drug or alcohol dependency
- frail

what are some daily tasks carers can help their dependent with?

- feeding
- bathing
- dressing
- toileting
- administering medication

what is a primary carer?

a person who takes the most responsibility for providing care for the person requiring support

how many million carers in Australia are there?

2.7 million (12%)

what is the bulk age range of carers?

35-64

what tasks do carers take on?

shopping, cooking, household activities

what are the features of an informal carer?

-from family member, friend or neighbour,
- giving regular, ongoing assistance
- without payment

example of an informal carer?

a grandmother who cares for her granddaughter twice a week while her parents are at work

what is a formal carer

- trained professionals who provide care through formal agencies or institutions ]
- paid by the receiver

examples of informal carers?

an aged carer, nurse, childcare worker, preschool teacher, nanny, doctor or any other specialised individual who
(receives income)

what are the reasons for carers taking on the role?

- Sense of family responsibility (63%)
- Feeling that they could provide better care than anyone else (50%)
- Feeling of emotional obligation (41%)
- No other friends or family were available to take on the role
- Alternative care too costly
- No other care arrangements available

how do parents satisfy their child's safety and security needs?

- provide secure housing with any environment modifications needed
- show understanding, love and support
- consistency and routine assists in developing a feeling of security

how do parents satisfy their child's health needs?

- assist in being hygienic EG regular showers, toileting, oral hygiene and general cleanliness
- administer basic first aid
- engaging with services of their medical needs

how do parents satisfy their child's education needs?

- encourage play, language and literature, creativity, cultural education
- provide opportunities for child to develop social relationship
- foster lifelong learning by exposing them to new and different experiences
- enrol them into schooling and help them with any school work

how do parents satisfy their child's sense of identity needs?

- support, value, accept them for who they are which will boost self worth
- support their interests

^promoting their own identity

how do parents satisfy their child's employment needs?

- allow to get a job or help them find a job
(ensure it is causal and not getting in the way or school and commitments EG sport)
(ensure income is spent responsibly and a portion is being saved)

how do parents satisfy their child's adequate standard of living needs?

- provide wholesome, fresh foods regularly - launder clothing
- provide appropriate shelter (also s&s needs)

how do carers satisfy their dependents safety and security needs?

- help access support services
- provide transport to appointments
- provide secure housing with any environment modifications needed
- show understanding, love and support
- consistency and routine assists in developing a feeling of security

how do carers satisfy their dependents health needs?

- assist in being hygienic EG regular showers, toileting, oral hygiene and general cleanliness
- administer basic first aid
- engaging with services of their medical needs

how do carers satisfy their dependents education needs?

- foster lifelong learning by exposing them to new and different experiences
- encourage further education on their disability or condition through the encouragement of learning technological developments

how do carers satisfy their dependents sense of identity needs?

- be supportive
- involve them in decision making in own care

how do carers satisfy their dependents employment needs?

- access formal carer payment through Centrelink

how do carers satisfy their dependents adequate standard of living needs?

- provide wholesome, fresh foods regularly
- launder clothing
- provide appropriate shelter (also s&s needs)

how does a parent build a positive relationship with their child?

- howing love, bonding, affection, patience and understanding
- prioritising time with children
showing interest in their activities
- provide opportunities for resilience and independence to develop
- help develop self-discipline and maturity
^ builds social and emotional WB

how does a carer build a positive relationship with their dependent?

- provide assistance where it is needed but allowing for independence
- Treating dependents with respect and care BY speaking at eye level

how do parents and carers promote the wellbeing of their dependent?

- ensure they are meeting there specific needs
- build a positive relationship
- provide opportunities to foster, develop and support aspects of wellbeing-SPEECS
^ wellbeing is enhanced

how can parents prepare for a child through nutrition/physical guideline changes?

- maintain a healthy, balanced diet
- avoid foods with listeria bacteria (harmful to baby)
- drink two or more litres of water per day
- cease using alcohol, tabacco and caffeine
- regular exercise
- attend GP appointments, obstetrician or midwife to monitor baby development
- 7-8 hours sleep
- attend antenatal courses 9 learn about physical and emotional needs during pregnancy and birth)

how can parents prepare for a child through social changes? (changing health behaviours)

- attend prenatal classes, join mother's parenting groups to meet others in the same situation
- investigate child-friendly social activities

how can parents prepare for a child through spiritual connections changes?

- investigate and practice relaxation techniques EG meditation, yoga

how can carers prepare for a dependent through nutrition/physical guideline changes?

Maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure energy when caring(lifting, showering, pushing) BY:
-eat a variety of fresh, nutritious foods and make them available to the dependent
- engage in physical activity

how can carers prepare for a dependent through social changes? (changing health behaviours)

- investigate local support groups in order to interact with others in similar situations
- meet with other carers to gain more exposure to the role
inquire into caring groups in the local area

how can carers prepare for a child through spiritual connections changes?

- engage in church
- engage in relaxation techniques EG yoga, meditation, pilates

how can preparing parents enhance their knowledge and skills through education, information, training?

- attend formal and informal groups/resources EG prenatal classes, postnatal classes, online courses, health services, workshops, private settings
- reading parenting books (What to expect when your expecting), magazines (Practical Parenting)
- exploring websites
- seeking resources from reputable professions EG midwife, doctors, obstetrician

how can preparing carers enhance their knowledge and skills through education, information and training?

- informal carers partake in online course or workshops
- carer support services
- Universities and TAFE NSW offer courses EG nursing, child care, aged care

how can preparing parents modify their physical environment through housing, amenities, equipment?

- Housing: move from one-bedroom/studio apartment to a unit or house
- Amenities: alterations such as rails, ramps, non-slip flooring
- Equipment: baths, cots, bassinets, safety gates, high chairs

how can preparing carers modify their physical environment through housing, amenities, equipment?

- Housing: living arrangements of family needs to be considered
- Amenities: alterations such as rails, ramps, non-slip flooring
- Equipment: may be required EG wheelchairs, walking frames, specialised equipment

how can preparing parents organise finances through budgeting, saving and support payments?

Budgeting and saving for the potential costs of: - Obstetrician
- Hospitalisation
- Medical expenses
- Equipment
- Clothing
- Nappies

- Accessing support payments from the Department of Human Services via Centrelink EG Parental Leave Pay, Parenting Payment

how can preparing carers organise finances through budgeting, saving and support payments?

Budgeting and saving for:
- Modifications to physical environment
- Education and training
- Specialised equipment
- Buying food
- Paying bills
- Paying mortgage

- Accessing support payments from the Department of Human Services via Centrelink EG Carer Payments, Carer Allowance

what are the 3 characteristics of the child/dependent that affect the role of parents and carers?

- age
- skills/capabilities
- special needs eg. illness, disability

how does age of a child affect the roles of parents?

- babies rely on their parents to satisfy all needs
- young children require support to meet adequate standard of living needs
- adolescents require a sense of identity and education
- age doesn't affect the love and affection needed by a child, and the parents work towards building a positive relationship between the child
- parents will meet different aspects of wellbeing at different times

how does skills/capabilities of a child affect the roles of parents?

- Health needs: by participating in physical activity, preparing and eating fresh and healthy food
- Education needs: research and complete own homework independently (adolescents)
- Adolescents may need help in meeting safety and security: setting curfews, providing advice--> builds a positive relationship

how does special needs of a child affect the roles of parents?

- chronically ill children may not have their parents meet their health needs as this may only occur in a hospital setting

- gifted children may have their educational needs met by other special needs teachers/educators as their parents may not have the understanding to educate them

how does age of a dependent affect the roles of carer?

- age, disability/illness will prioritise their needs

- age should not affect building a positive relationship between the dependent

- carers will meet different aspects of wellbeing at different times

how does skills/capabilities of a dependent affect the roles of carer?

- Person with a disability may need assistance with feeding, bathing and good preparation

- Skills/capabilities of children in childcare would affect the role of the workers → may be required to change nappies, assisting with toileting

- Childcare workers would have to modify the delivery of certain programs/ activities according to the skills if the children

how does special needs of a dependent affect the roles of carer?

- Dependent may require more physical and emotional support in everyday activities

- Difficulties in communication may impact on the ability to build a positive relationship

How to remember the PERSONAL influences on parents and carers

CROPMESS

What does CROPMESS stand for?

Culture, customs and tradition
Religion/Spirituality
Own Upbringing
Previous Experience
Multiple Commitments
Education
Socioeconomic Status
Special Needs

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Culture, costumes, traditions

Parents most commonly would want their children to uphold the culture they were born into.
E.g Cultural background or family culture
Promote family bonding (positive relationships) such as family rituals and festivals.
In some cultures, older siblings play a significant role in caring for younger members.
Culture may impact on parenting style, choices in child care/elder care arrangements and gender roles.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Religion/ Spirituality

Generally, parents try to pass on their faith practices or delegate this to a school with a religious ethos.
If a young person decides to follow an alternate path to the one of their parents/carers, this can be a difficult time for both.
Trust can be violated and parents may feel that their example has not been valued.
Religion may influence the following:
Choice of educational institution, social activities the family is involved in, willingness to help others outside the family and the way financial resources are allocated.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Own Upbringing

If a person is positive about family life and shared family experiences, they are likely to try and repeat the experience for their dependant.
The dependant is more like going to feel secure and valued and to develop a strong bond with their parents.
If a person had a negative experience with family life, this may lead the parent to adopt other goals and values to create a different experience.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Previous experiences

Parenting or caring may be modified due to evolving practices or experiences.
E.g After the first child is born and raised, parents will have had crucial learning experiences that will impact on their parenting of future children.
E.g After caring for a parent with dementia, a person may be calmer and more aware in caring for another person with the same condition.
The way in which people are raised will influence the way they parent.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Multiple commitments

Each role a person plays comes with obligations and responsibilities.
E.g Family, work, sport and study commitments.
A parent with multiple roles will need to make decisions on childcare, school type, after school care.
E.g A parent may choose to work longer hours at work and as a result a child may attend after school dance or sport training.
E.g A parent may manage a sporting team. The parents will need to liaise between the coach and players, attend training and games, and perhaps committee meetings each month. This takes time away from the parenting role.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Education

Their education may vary from formal schooling, specific courses, reading parenting or caring advice books and exploring websites.
An educated parents or carer is more likely to be aware of the support services available and have the confidence to use them.
E.g Parenting groups: contribute to both the formal and inform.al education
Parents are their child's first teacher and the early learning that takes place in a child's first years and make a difference in the development of literacy and numeracy skills.
E.g. Likelihood of involvement in higher education is increased if the parents have followed this path.
If a carer is formally qualified or has experience in caring, the dependant will usually receive a higher quality of care.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Socioeconomic Status (SES)

An individual's socioeconomic status is influenced by their income, occupation, level of education and the area in which they live.
Parents who indulge in gifts, toys and exotic holidays may not necessarily have a close relationship with their dependants.
E.g Some parents with high incomes are forced to spend long hours at work, compromising their involvement in family life. The family may rely on resources such as nannies who wake, feed and transport the children to and from school.
A family who enjoys low-cost recreational activities (EXAMPLES), may have more opportunities for effective communication, enhancing the bond between parent and dependant over a long period.

PERSONAL influences on parenting and caring -
Special needs

Special needs can refer to people with an illness, disability, allergies or giftedness.
The special needs may belong to the parents, child, carer or dependant.
The parenting role may be enhanced due to the close bond that develops by spending quality time together, but at times it can be made more difficult because of the special needs required.

Acronym to remember the social influences on parents

MCG
- media stereotypes
- community attitudes
- gender expectations

SOCIAL influences on parenting and caring

Gender expectations play a significant role in shaping parenting and caring roles within societies. These expectations are often rooted in cultural, social, and historical norms, and they can impact individuals' attitudes, behaviors, and choices in the realm of parenting and caregiving.
Example(s)
- Societal norms often dictate that women are primarily responsible for caregiving and nurturing roles, while men are expected to be the primary breadwinners.
- Gender expectations may contribute to challenges in achieving work-life balance, as individuals may feel pressure to conform to traditional roles. This can affect career choices, job opportunities, and the distribution of household and childcare responsibilities.
- Mothers are frequently expected to be more involved in day-to-day caregiving tasks, such as feeding, bathing, and helping with homework.
- Fathers, on the other hand, may face expectations related to being the primary financial provider. Societal norms sometimes discourage fathers from taking on more active parenting roles, leading to a perception that their primary role is outside the home.
- Parents often socialize their children based on traditional gender norms, reinforcing stereotypical expectations. For example, boys might be encouraged to engage in more adventurous and risk-taking activities, while girls might be guided towards nurturing and caregiving roles.

How to recall the parenting styles...

PAND
Permissive
Authoritarian
Negligent
Democratic

permissive parenting

A parenting style characterized by the placement of few limits on the child's behavior.

democratic parenting style

a parenting style that offers support with firm expectations

authoritarian parenting

style of parenting in which parent is rigid and overly strict, showing little warmth to the child

negligent parenting

parents are uninvolved. They are neither demanding nor responsive. They are careless, inattentive, and do not seek a close relationship with their children.

How to remember the legal RIGHTS of parents

BEDLAM
- Basic needs
- Education
- Discipline
- Legal proceedings
- Adoption (consenting to)
- Medical decisions

What are the legal RIGHTS of carers

- To have their rights supported
- privacy
- training
- to complain
- confidentiality
- receive financial assistance
- be supported by employers
- be respected

What are the legal RIGHTS of dependants?

- Consent to medical procedures (over 14 years)
- Not be charged with criminal offence (under 10 years)
- Education
- Health care
- To not be discriminated against
- Life
- Express opinions openly

What are the RESPONSIBILITIES of parents and carers?

- Provide first aid
- love and affection
- Duty of care
- Setting limits
- Discipline
- Provide safety and security
- Promote wellbeing (SPEECS)

Types of support

informal and formal

Examples of informal support

family, friends, neighbours

Examples of formal support

Government agencies, community organisations

Formal support

paid support from professional caregivers such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and homecare workers

Informal support

unpaid support from family members, friends, neighbours, and others in the community

How to remember the types of services provided through formal support

CHEFRC
- Counselling
- Health
- Education
- Financial support
- Respite care
- Childcare