CENTRAL RANGES Local Learning & Employment Network · 2012-02-29 · Sarah Hardy; Live4Life project ! CURRENT PARENT ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 4. Please specify frequency, target audience

1 Central Ranges LLEN Parent Engagement Survey 2011

CENTRAL RANGES Local Learning & Employment

Network Incorporating: Macedon Ranges; Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires

Community - Parent Engagement Survey Results

2011


Central Ranges LLEN Community - Parent Engagement Survey Results 2011

HOW DOES YOUR ORGANISATION INVOLVE PARENTS? 1. Details:

Response

Percent Response

Count Organisation: 100.0% 19 Name (optional): 73.3% 14 Position: 84.2% 16

Answered question 19 Skipped question 1

Schools: Breakdown of community responses.

0 1 2 3 4 5

Berry Street

FamilyCare

Murrindindi Shire Council

Cobaw Community Health

Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Outdoor Education Group

Playgroup

Woodend Neighbourhood House

Home Based Child Care

Alexandra Kindergarten

Marysville Pre School

Catholic Care

Live4Life

No. of responses

No. of responses


2. Does your organisation run parental engagement activities/programs?

Response

Percent Response

Count Yes 70.0% 14 No 15.0% 3 In process 10.0% 2 Unsure 5.0% 1

Answered question 20 skipped question 0

3. Who are the people responsible for parent involvement within your organisation?

Response

Count answered question 16 skipped question 4

# Response Text

1 8 Child & Family Services staff Mens programs staff Careers staff

2 2 Sarah Hardy, Charmaine Vanderbeek

3 1 Berry Street has been running parenting courses and we have supported an occasional information

seminar/evening. We would also like to try and get parents involved in community activities etc

4 2 Connect For Kids project workers, will at various times run information sessions - often aimed at health and

wellbeing for the community, with a focus on children.

5 3 Committee members, Teachers

6 4 Our committee of management is run by parents.

7 5 The educators who run their own business

8 6 The Committee of Management in consultation with the Centre Coordinator are responsible for the Strategic

position of the Woodend Neighbourhood House. Our House courses are structured in response to identified needs

and as responses to identified gaps in service usage.

9 7 Parents

10 8 Youth Coordinator Youth Participation and Development Officer

11 9 Program Managers and Directors

12 1

0 Maternal Child Health

13 1

1

Various staff in a number of teams particularly these: family support, early intervention, counseling, alcohol and

other drugs, family day care and youth services.

Yes 70%

No 15%

In process 10%

Unsure 5%


14 1

2 Marc des Landes

15 1

3

Staff in all four program areas- Child and Family services, Community programs, Aged and Disability and Mens

services

16 1

4 Sarah Hardy; Live4Life project

CURRENT PARENT ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

4. Please specify frequency, target audience and effectiveness of all current Parent engagement Activities available at your organisation:

Never As needed Daily Weekly Monthly Per term Yearly Response

Count Information

session/s 15.4% (2) 38.5% (5) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 7.7% (1) 23.1% (3) 15.4% (2) 13

Workshop/s 16.7% (2) 25.0% (3) 0.0% (0) 16.7% (2) 8.3% (1) 25.0% (3) 8.3% (1) 12

Newsletter 10.0% (1) 20.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 10.0% (1) 50.0% (5) 0.0% (0) 10.0% (1) 10 Parent

attendance for supervision of

young people 60.0% (3) 40.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 5

Festival 50.0% (4) 12.5% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 12.5% (1) 25.0% (2) 8 Learning

programs (eg. homework programs)

33.3% (2) 33.3% (2) 0.0% (0) 16.7% (1) 0.0% (0) 16.7% (1) 0.0% (0) 6

Parents as guest speakers 60.0% (3) 40.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 5

Parents as mentors 66.7% (4) 16.7% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 16.7% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 6

Working parties 40.0% (2) 40.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 20.0% (1) 5

Target Audience

0-9 10-14 10-19 15-19 19 and above

All ages Response

Count Information

session/s 16.7% (2) 8.3% (1) 8.3% (1) 16.7% (2) 8.3% (1) 41.7% (5) 12

Workshop/s 10.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 20.0% (2) 10.0% (1) 10.0% (1) 50.0% (5) 10

Newsletter 25.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 25.0% (2) 12.5% (1) 0.0% (0) 37.5% (3) 8 Parent

attendance for supervision of

young people 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 100.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 1

Festival 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 4 Learning

programs (eg. homework programs)

0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 2

Parents as guest speakers 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 2

Parents as mentors 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 2

Working parties 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 25.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 75.0% (3) 4


Effectiveness (1=most effective, 5 = least)

No

t use

d

1 2 3 4 5

Un

sure

Resp

ons

e

Co

unt

Information session/s 0.0% (0) 27.3% (3) 18.2% (2) 18.2% (2) 18.2% (2) 0.0% (0) 18.2% (2) 11

Workshop/s 0.0% (0) 30.0% (3) 10.0% (1) 20.0% (2) 30.0% (3) 0.0% (0) 10.0% (1) 10

Newsletter 14.3% (1) 0.0% (0) 14.3% (1) 42.9% (3) 14.3% (1) 0.0% (0) 14.3% (1) 7 Parent attendance

for supervision of young people

50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 2

Festival 0.0% (0) 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 4 Learning programs

(eg. homework programs)

50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 2

Parents as guest speakers 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 50.0% (1) 2

Parents as mentors 50.0% (1) 50.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 2

Working parties 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 25.0% (1) 25.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 4 Other (see below) 7

Answered Question 15 Skipped Question 5

# Other (please specify)

1 1 Parents attend a 14hour course in Youth Mental Health First Aid

2 1

My role is funded 2 days per week. This does not give enough time to run all the programs we would like. The

need to build relationships, partnerships and secure funding to run additional programs - or improve on the

current delivery takes many more hours than funded for. Also - geographic spread of murrindindi means my

programs generally run in Yea with little support to Kinglake.

3 2 Information sessions are held for all parents of students attending a program. In addition we encourage parents

to be involved when it is a special program - e.g. Alice Sloan Expedition.

4 3 As a major provider of health and welfare services including children, youth and family services parents are

engaged as clients, group participants, parents, family members etc in a host of activities on a daily basis.

5 4 Parenting program for all age groups ie; 2yrs - 18yrs

6 5 We run parenting groups, Anger management for parents and specific groups when requested like grief and loss

and trauma.

7 6 Youth Mental Health First aid


5. What are the priority areas for activities delivered by your organisation? (You may tick more than one in each column to indicate importance)

Mo

st im

po

rta

nt -

1

2 3 4

Lea

st im

po

rta

nt -

5

N/A

Resp

ons

e

Co

unt

Mental health 53.8% (7) 23.1% (3) 23.1% (3) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 13

Health 46.2% (6) 38.5% (5) 15.4% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 13

Welfare 69.2% (9) 23.1% (3) 0.0% (0) 7.7% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 13

Behavior 66.7% (8) 0.0% (0) 33.3% (4) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 12

Safety 54.5% (6) 27.3% (3) 18.2% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 11

Learning difficulties 33.3% (4) 16.7% (2) 16.7% (2) 25.0% (3) 8.3% (1) 0.0% (0) 12

Education 61.5% (8) 30.8% (4) 7.7% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 13

University 14.3% (1) 0.0% (0) 28.6% (2) 14.3% (1) 14.3% (1) 28.6% (2) 7

Industry 37.5% (3) 12.5% (1) 0.0% (0) 12.5% (1) 12.5% (1) 25.0% (2) 8

Young mothers 27.3% (3) 18.2% (2) 18.2% (2) 9.1% (1) 0.0% (0) 27.3% (3) 11 Other (see below) 4

Answered Question 16 Skipped Question 4

# Other (please specify)

1 Berry Street believes in a good childhood for all children. All of the above points are very important and

we endeavor to support families in order for them to be able to provide opportunities to their children.

2 Community Connection/Community Development

3 Development of the young person as a whole with a particular focus on developing respect and

responsibility for self, others and the environment.

4 All parents


6. How do you promote your parent engagement activities? Please rate each strategy from 1 to 5 according to its effectiveness.

Mo

st

effe

ctiv

e -

1

2 3 5

Lea

st

effe

ctiv

e -

5

N/A

Ratin

g

Ave

rag

e

Resp

ons

e

Co

unt

Website 7.7% (1) 15.4% (2) 46.2% (6) 15.4% (2) 0.0% (0) 15.4% (2) 2.82 13

Flyers 25.0% (3) 25.0% (3) 16.7% (2) 16.7% (2) 8.3% (1) 8.3% (1) 2.55 12

Email 30.8% (4) 46.2% (6) 15.4% (2) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 7.7% (1) 1.83 13

Social media 18.2% (2) 9.1% (1) 18.2% (2) 18.2% (2) 0.0% (0) 36.4% (4) 2.57 11

Word of mouth 66.7% (10) 26.7% (4) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 6.7% (1) 1.29 15

Print advertising 30.8% (4) 30.8% (4) 23.1% (3) 0.0% (0) 7.7% (1) 7.7% (1) 2.17 13 Cross promotion

through networks 16.7% (2) 41.7% (5) 25.0% (3) 8.3% (1) 0.0% (0) 8.3% (1) 2.27 12 Internal promotion by

colleagues 15.4% (2) 46.2% (6) 30.8% (4) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 7.7% (1) 2.17 13 Additional promotion strategies or comments? (see below) 7

Answered question 15

Skipped question 5

# Additional promotion strategies or comments?

1 1 School newsletters - most effective

2 1 By using all of the abovementioned strategies and starting with promotion early appears to be the best way to

promote anything to the community.

3 2 Would like to use social media - however Berry street does not have a policy in this area, so we would need to

create a strategy and submit to head office for approval before using. Would like help creating something in this

arena, especially to connect to parents who do not have a close relationship with the school.

4 3 We are certainly working toward better utilisation of social media.

5 4 Articles in local papers (not advertising) rated 1.

6 5 School newsletters

7 6 Via school newsletter


MEASURED SUCCESS

7. How do you measure or assess the effectiveness of parental engagement activities in your organisation, and how does it inform your future planning? Please select Yes/No for each for of data collection methods below. Then, please tell us how these and/or other methods may inform future planning.

Yes No Unsure Response

Count

Number tallies 85.7% (12) 7.1% (1) 7.1% (1) 14

Formalised evaluations 53.3% (8) 33.3% (5) 13.3% (2) 15

Feedback surveys 86.7% (13) 6.7% (1) 6.7% (1) 15

Phone surveys 15.4% (2) 69.2% (9) 15.4% (2) 13 Evidence of increased access or

referrals to services 61.5% (8) 38.5% (5) 0.0% (0) 13 How does it inform your future planning? (see below) 9


Skipped question 5

# How does it inform your future planning?

1 1 Information is placed upon a range of local and reporting databases that produce reports, etc

2 2 Pre and post surveys done to assess confidence and knowledge levels

3 1

Guest speakers are very expensive and financial resources are very tight. Looking for best bang for your buck.

Results have been mixed - eg: people willing to attend information session/workshop therefore the frequency

of guests is reduced and a more cautious approach taken. Using school website or yea.com.au as a site to

extend the information. I would like to link into edublogs and use that as an update and information feeder to

parents (again - finding the time to do this) Looking to use feedback surveys when dealing with smaller working

groups, parents at transition and therefore in the space to be considering decision making and options and

those who are highly involved. Phone survey is a good way of trying to get to a larger population and those

who are not often interactive with the school or community groups connected to young people.

4 2 We are about to employ a Consultant who will be working with the local community to identify hard to reach

learners and part of this work, we hope, will inform how we better meet the local needs of all people in our

community, including the Parent cohort.

5 3 Helps shape our future projects with youth involvement

6 4 Trying to get parents along to an information survey is difficult for us and our partner schools but attendance is

usually fairly good - for those who do not attend we offer a dedicated website to their child's particular

program with all information provided.

7 5 Clearly we want to conduct activities that both reach the target audience and are also effective in their

content and outcomes. In trying to take a population health approach it is important to look at who may not

be coming and why, rather than just the numbers.

8 6 Feed back surveys may result in changes to the content of the program.

9 7 We are always seeking client feedback and are looking to review and redevelop a new process for this.


MAJOR BARRIERS

8. In your experience what are the barriers that prevent parents from being involved in your programs. Some commonly documented barriers are listed below. Rate to what extent you believe these particular barriers affect the parents you deal with. Please add extra barriers and comments in box below.

Major barrier for

our parents

Affects our parents to some

extent

Little effect on our parents

Not relevant to our organisation

Response Count

Parents do not feel that the organisation invites or encourages

their involvement. 0.0% (0) 35.7% (5) 50.0% (7) 14.3% (2) 14

Parents feel intimidated. 7.1% (1) 35.7% (5) 42.9% (6) 14.3% (2) 14

Communication with parents is difficult. 21.4% (3) 57.1% (8) 14.3% (2) 7.1% (1) 14

Parents are well informed but are unwilling to be involved. 7.1% (1) 64.3% (9) 21.4% (3) 7.1% (1) 14

Parents' work commitments prevent them from becoming

involved. 50.0% (7) 50.0% (7) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 14

Parents are unable to access childcare for younger children.

Limiting their availability. 21.4% (3) 50.0% (7) 14.3% (2) 14.3% (2) 14

Geographical location. (Dispersion of population means one central

location not always suitable) 50.0% (7) 42.9% (6) 7.1% (1) 0.0% (0) 14

Extra Barriers and/or Comments (see below) 4


Skipped question 6

# Extra Barriers and/or Comments

1 We have noticed that there are less parents staying around at our centre since the 2009 Fires. The 'all pitch in'

culture has become less evident as parents concentrate on rebuilding their own lives.

2 We need to be working harder/smarter in identifying and responding to the needs of this cohort. Program

planning needs to be condusive around available childcare options - like Kinder times etc..

3 Low parents' motivation and interest in health and wellbeing are major barriers.

4 Our problem is meeting the demand at this stage, we have waiting lists

SCHOOL/INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT 9. How has your organisation worked with schools, industry or other stakeholders to develop programs or initiatives to improve parent involvement? Please provide examples.

Response


# Response Text

1 Through case workers working in partnership with schools and through case management activities/ care

meetings etc.

2 We have been involved in father and son school programs (motorbikes as an example) Ran girls, girls girls, a

program on body image for females in south Mitchell Other stuff, but too busy

3 Promotion of program through students and school staff accessing school newsletters accessing local

newspapers

1 In the past there have been some small locally integrated projects involving schools, parents, Berry Street and

the local police. These projects were mostly about concerns around underage drinking and had some good

outcomes. We hope to continue these types of projects as well as supporting parents in creating good peer


networks.

2

Working parties - to develop Family engagement policy at school council Surveys - data collection to provide

evidence of parental concerns and needs Facilitation and meeting correspondence - providing administrative

support to keep groups actively working together. Very little involvement of industry. Health, education and

council and parents are the main groups involved with Rotary and the Lion's Clubs as the financial supporters.

Yet to answer well enough - what's in it for me? When talking to industry, to create engagement

3 We have worked with Swinburne university to encourage parents to train for qualifications to enable them to

work at our centre - not just on a volunteer basis.

4 HBCC advisory group meeting four times per annum.

5 Exhibitions, work placement and work experience schemes

6 Woodend Neighbourhood House traditionally and consistently delivers training that would appeal to this group

- Computers; Integration Aid Certificate; First Aid; Youth Mental Health First Aid (new) and will be exploring new

courses in Term 3 to further engage with Parents of Teens.

7

Currently organising an Eating Disorders community information session for parents Held a hip-hop workshop

where a wonderful large turnout of parents came to watch the performance of their children. Parents stepped

in to assist with set up, cooking and pack away of the BBQ for the youth when Lions club did not turn up, and

parents helped pick up rubbish. Berry Street usually run programs that involve parents

8

We require parental consent for all students to attend a program therefore we have access to them in some

way or another. We work in partnership with schools to ensure parents/guardians have full information in order

to provide informed consent and to understand what it is their child will be involved in. Our battle is to make

them truly understand the benefits of our programs.

9

Does this mean parent involvement in our services and programs? With schools: Using them to promote and

publicize our programs and activities. Through partnerships such as Kyneton SACSC and Live4Life. Through

programs which work closely with schools such as Youth Connections, School Focused Youth Service, Early

Intervention. Through networks such as MRYAN, Live4Life.

10 Most of our programs are run in schools after hours. Referrals are received from other agencies and Govt

depts.

11 Run Girls, Girls, Girls program at Wallan Primary school. ALL PAERTNS GIVEN INFO ON PROGRAM.

12 Established a reputation with the school community first. Have some runs on the board and credibility

10. Suggest ways your networks or relationships with schools and industry could be improved?

Response


# Response Text

1 Local network meetings. Schools need to release staff to attend meetings. Continue to develop an

understanding of roles expectations and responsibilities.

2 Les organisational program focus and more focus on pathways and

3 Get the kids to speak to parents - involve parents in issue by creating homework pieces, events they can

attend, displaying kids work for the public, award ceremonies

4 We have a fairly good working relationship with schools.

5

Schools are very closed silos - limited access to funding and timetables that make teachers and key leadership

staff difficult to meet with. Need exposure to communities that do have strong industry/school partnerships eg:

Mansfield and others. To see what can be achieved and in what timeframe. Good to have some mentoring

and support at the partnership level. I only have limited information of industries - strengths, growth and

opportunities for the Murrindindi area - is there a way of increasing information flow of what is out there? Could

we partner with industries that are not in Murrindindi eg: metro areas and build partnerships using technology?

6 We could have more local business involvement with the day-to-day running of our centre

7 Use of social media


8 More time allowance for staff

9 Continued involvement with the MR Youth Education and Employment Network - sitting at the right tables.

Need to have better conversations/relationships with local Industry. Need to have better

conversations/relationships with local Primary Schools.

10 Advertising Facebook media release Release a Youth Newsletter to the school about our programs.

11

More face time would be great. Greater publicity of the benefits of our programs through school websites,

newsletters, etc. Industry partnerships could be greatly strengthened, although this is sometimes difficult when

each 'partner' has their own agenda. Regular meetings/communication and enhancing the feeling of

belonging to something worthwhile - with results!

12

As a health and welfare organisation we are always interested in improving our relationships with schools

because schools are where children are most connected and where parents are also strongly linked, and

where school staff are well placed to support and assist children and parents in need of health and welfare

services. At the secondary school level there are much improved networks in place and improved

relationships. At the primary level, with the number and diversity of schools, there are very few networking

opportunities or relationship building options. Beyond direct school to agency liaison there appears to be no

primary network to tap into except for the catholic cluster school wellbeing network.

13 Current quality improvement strategies relate to evaluations.

14 More referrals into ChildFIRST

15 For networks to spend more time listening to schools rather than telling them how it is.

FUTURE 11. What parent engagement programs do you think are needed or could be improved in your organisation and why?

Response


# Response Text

1 This is an area that needs significant exploration.

2 Need to meet and talk with others to ensure a full understanding of current funded programs and possibilities.

3 Access the parents by showcasing kids work

4

I think that many parents rely heavily on local organisations to provide support and entertainment for their

children. I also believe that this is unique to a rural community as there are nowhere near as many

opportunities as there are in the city. I would like to see more parents wanting to be involved in the working

groups that are having conversations about our youth but most parents are working and don't have time.

5

I think parent information should be seen as quality and timing. It is pointless if the information is provided when

parents are not ready to hear it. Transition I think is a good time to do this - transition through developmental

stages and the role parent's play. Health and education should work closer together on this. Identifying key

times of change in a young persons life from birth through to the world of work. I'd like to see homework clubs,

better technology and use of it and more work across schools and age groups -eg: blue sky thinking should not

just sit at secondary school - preschool through the primaries would be ideal.

6 We could improve working bee, volunteer fundraising, social events and simply make the centre a place that

parents are comfortable to 'hang' at.

7 Parents and educators sharing the children's 'learning stories'.

8 Rekindle the parent association

9 We are exploring the Digital Divide - will be providing Parents of Teens opportunities to bridge the digital divide

and better understand their Digital Teens in Term 3. We need to plan better courses and activities aimed at

Parents of younger children around child care options or run dual activities for Parents and Children.

10 Parents to learn about the different types of bullying as this what reflects in the Student Representative


Committee. Self esteem Programs, Behavioural programs and Drug and Al awareness programs.

11

There is a need for much more intensive and extensive parenting education and support programs in general

however local organisations, whether school or agency, have very limited capacity in terms of funding to do

this work. At all age ranges from infancy to early 20's parenting education and support programs are needed.

When they do run there is consistent feedback from participants about their usefulness.

12 N/A

13 Need a clear view around engaging both adults and children in all services- not just one or the other as we

know this is not the most effective way to create engagement and change.

14 More work around adolescent development and the role parents play.

12. What professional development, resources, networks, etc could assist you in delivering parent engagement strategies in the future?

Response

Count

answered question 14

skipped question 6

# Response Text

1 Unsure

2 Working with parents Communication between parents and children Team work, etc

3 Not known

4 We are currently considering using Facebook as a way to create groups, communicate with parents and build

up some networks. Training in that area (cyber safety-communications etc).

5 Any resources would improve things! networks with other communities technology training - social media,

Skype, online forums, data collection and surveying

6 A centre coordinator could be employed and trained to be welcoming and inclusive

7 Funding to enable educators to go to professional development sessions

8 Unsure

9

I think we definitely need to see Industry represented in our Networks so we can learn more about the

opportunities and explore developing better relationships and consider collaborative opportunities. We need

to better understand the needs of Parents in our local community - as mentioned we are hoping we will be

able to do this using our Capacity Grant.

10 Guest speakers

11

Cobaw has a number of staff with skills and experience in running parent support and education programs but

lack the funding to allow staff to work more in this way. Networking also requires resourcing. The development

of more schools and agencies networking at the primary level would be very useful. Previously the SFYS

coordinator was involved in organising and resourcing the state primary schools wellbeing network but this

ceased when other resources dried up.

12 Currently Family Care provides ongoing PD for all staff as required.

13 More knowledge re what schools are running and or want us to run.

14 Still learning this one

Documents

CENTRAL RANGES Local Learning & Employment Network · 2012-02-29 · Sarah Hardy; Live4Life project ! CURRENT PARENT ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 4. Please specify frequency, target audience