What You Can Expect
Parent Pathways is a free, voluntary service for parents and carers of children under six who aren’t currently working. We offer personalised support to help you plan your future.
Whether that’s work, study, or building confidence in your next steps.
You’ll be matched with a dedicated Mentor who will work with you at your pace, in a way that fits your family’s needs.
Flexible Support
You can join, pause, or return to the service whenever it suits you. Your experience is tailored to your goals, strengths, and life stage.
Caring Mentors
You’ll be matched with a professional, friendly Mentor who will support you through every step of your journey.
Inclusive Spaces
Services are delivered in welcoming, private, and child-friendly environments that respect your role as a parent or carer.
Achieve Your Goals
Your Mentor will help you set goals, identify challenges, track progress, and connect you with relevant local services and opportunities.
Financial Support
You may receive help through an Individual Fund ($1,250 annually) and a Pooled Fund for costs like courses, transport, childcare, and work-related needs.
Respectful Feedback
You’ll be informed of how to share compliments, concerns, or complaints, with access to support if issues can’t be resolved directly.
What Makes Parent Pathways Different
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Completely Voluntary. You choose when to start, pause, or return.​
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Delivered in safe welcoming, child-friendly spaces.​
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Flexible and tailored to your life goals.​
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Designed to support you, not pressure you.
How Funding Works
You may be able to access funding each year through your Individual Fund for things like training, transport, or a laptop.
We also have a Pooled Fund to help with things like interpreters, non vocational support or work related items.
Your Mentor can guide you through what’s available.
Our Commitment To You
We are committed to providing quality services that will help put you on a pathway to prioritising
your well-being and achieving your personal and career goals.
How We Deliver Our Services
Personalised Support: We start by getting to know you—your goals, challenges, and strengths. Together, we create a plan just for you, with both short-term and long-term steps to reach your goals.
Mentor Guidance: Your mentor will be in regular contact through face to face, phone calls, or online chats. We will track your progress, provide encouragement, and adjust your plan as needed.
Comprehensive Services: We will work with local services and community groups to support you, including health, education, job and community information. Our sites are child friendly, and we offer flexible meeting options, to make it easy for you to get the help you need.
What You Can Achieve With Us
Overcoming Challenges: We will help you work through barriers you may face including finding a job, organising childcare, and dealing with transport or financial issues. We connect you to local services that can help, such as childcare providers and mental health support.
Building Skills: We will run activities to promote social connections and give you the opportunity to meet new people. Where possible will also offer workshops to help you be job ready including resume creations, job interviews techniques, and digital skills. Plus, we will connect you with local training programs and job opportunities.
Boosting Your Confidence: Our mentors focus on helping you recognise your strengths and build self-confidence, so you feel empowered to take the next step in your journey.
Inclusive Support for Everyone
Support for First Nations Parents: We work with local Aboriginal organisations to ensure our services respect your cultural needs. Our mentors are trained in cultural competency and stay connected with First Nations communities.
Support for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Parents: We will access interpreter services and partner with local multicultural organisations to provide additional support tailored to your needs.
Support for Parents with Disabilities: We offer accessible facilities and work with disability providers to make sure all parents can easily
access our services.
Family-Friendly Spaces
Welcoming Sites: Our locations are designed with families in mind. We have safe play areas for children, Wi-Fi, and kitchen facilities so you can relax and feel comfortable.
Easy Access: Our sites are centrally located near public transport and community services, making it easy for you to visit.
Our Skilled Team
Qualified and Caring Staff: Our team includes staff that are experienced in the fields of Child and Community Services along with lived experience in the challenges Parents and Carers face, making them more understanding and supportive.
Personal Attention: We keep our mentor-to-parent ratio at 1:50, ensuring you receive the individual support you need.
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