With most issues, the sooner you address them, the less dire their consequences. This can be said of anything; from a cancer in its early stages to a noise coming from your car engine – and, not least of all, parenting challenges and family issues.
This approach is known as early intervention; a practice that refers to activities, programs and services that are designed to assist parents who show signs of requiring support due to potential vulnerabilities.
Here, Anglicare Victoria will discuss the idea of early intervention, some of the signs that it may be of benefit to your family, and how Anglicare Victoria’s services can assist you.
What is early intervention?
In the social science sector, early intervention is any activity or program which helps address potential family issues before they become unmanageable. While it’s generally used when referring to developmental delays in children, or for children with disability, it’s come to include several other social issues, too. Early intervention can refer to complex issues such as:
- Behavioural and/or development issues in children
- Mental health concerns
- Parenting stress
- Disability
- Social isolation
- Poverty
- Alcohol and drug addiction
- Several other issues
Studies show that, without support, issues like these can become less manageable and more overwhelming as time goes on, having a negative impact on parenting and the quality of life of the child. Early intervention focusses on addressing these problems proactively.
Benefits of early intervention
Early intervention for children and parents has several benefits. These include:
- Better chances of healthy development
The earlier we address developmental issues and work with children who are showing signs of delays, the better the chance of health development – both physically and mentally.
- Improved social and emotional outcomes
We all want our kids to be their happy, confident selves. Address developmental or behavioural issues early on is the best way to give our kids the support they need in order to become happy and well-adjusted.
- Optimised academic performance
Children with developmental delays can benefit from early intervention in an academic sense, putting them on the path for success in schooling.
Anglicare Victoria’s support services for early intervention
If your child is exhibiting signs of developmental delays, behavioural issues or mental health concerns, Anglicare Victoria is here to assist you. Our ParentZone program helps struggling Victorian families address these concerns, increasing parent awareness of these issues and strengthening relationships within the family. ParentZone focuses on communication, education, and proven strategies to help with early intervention.
Anglicare Victoria’s ParentZone program is a free-of-charge service, available to many eligible Victorian families. We can help create long-lasting change within your family by giving you the tools you need for early intervention with your child. Get in touch with Anglicare Victoria to learn more about our ParentZone program today.
