SafeCare

SafeCare is an evidence-based, early intervention program that supports parents with children aged 0 to 5 in their own homes. It aims to build parents' positive interactions with their children, keeping their homes safe and improving their children’s health.

How it works

SafeCare training is delivered over 18 to 20 sessions. A Berry Street SafeCare trainer works one-on-one with parents in their own home, ensuring that the program is personalised and convenient for the family.

Families are guided through the three SafeCare modules:

1. Health: how to provide adequate physical care, and when and how to care for a sick child at home, see a doctor and seek emergency help.

2. Home Safety: how to create physical safety in the home (ensuring it is hygienic, free from hazards, and so on) and the importance of supervising children.

3. Parent-child interaction: how to build connection, affection and loving relationship expression through play and engaging in positive, bonding experiences.

The goals of SafeCare are to:

• strengthen parents’ capabilities and skills
• increase positive parent-child interaction
• improve home safety
• improve how parents care for their children’s health
• reduce child protection reports (reduction of harm) and future incidents of child maltreatment
• keep families together

The evidence base

SafeCare has over 40 years of evidence in reducing and preventing child maltreatment and enhancing the safety and wellbeing of children. The program has been extensively studied and there is a significant body of research supporting its effectiveness.

To read a research paper on SafeCare implementation in Australia, go to NSW Government Department of Communities and Justice: SafeCare Interim Evaluation Report.

Who is eligible?

The free program is available to families with a child aged 0-5 who reside in:

• South East Victoria – Noble Park to Gippsland
• Northeast Metro – Darebin, Whittlesea, Yarra, Banyule and Nillumbik LGA’s.

We welcome referrals from all child, family, community, health, and education services. Self-referrals are also welcome from parents and foster and kinship carers.

Our approach

Berry Street is focusing on and implementing programs that keep families together safely and address challenges before they spiral out of control. As an evidence-based, early intervention program, SafeCare is aligned with one of our key goals to reorientate the child and family system towards early intervention and prevention.

We anticipate that SafeCare will help build the Australian evidence base for more investment in targeted early intervention.

For more information about SafeCare, please download the brochures below.

Contact us

For more information about SafeCare, please submit your interest below.