Child & Family Centre
Goals and Features
The Southside Child and Family Centre is a place-based early childhood service model for families and children from pregnancy until the beginning of primary school (age 5/5.5).
Built on a prevention and early intervention framework, the purpose of the CFC is to improve the health, well-being, education and happiness of children in their early years by supporting parents, strengthening communities and enhancing accessibility of services in the local community.
Goals of the Southside Child and Family Centre
- Improve outcomes for children from pre-birth to 5 years
- Provide a range of integrated early years and family support services to children and their families
- Build on the existing strengths of families and communities
- Build community capacity by developing meaningful partnerships with parents, families and the wider community
- Respond to child and family needs in a seamless, holistic manner
- Support a successful transition from pregnancy/early parenthood through to the early years of primary school
Essential features of the Southside Child and Family Centre
- A safe, welcoming space for all children and their families
- Offers support, information and programmes for families from pre-birth to 5 years
- Is a place where all families and carers are supported in their parenting role by developing strong parent confidence and competencies
- Offers services that are co-designed in partnership with families and communities to meet and respond to changing local community needs
- Is a collaborative space where statutory, community and voluntary services work together
- Facilitates services working to create and provide a continuum of seamless, integrated care over time
- Is underpinned by a philosophy and processes that are rooted in community development
- Provides shared learning and training opportunities for families and professionals
- Is outcomes-focused in the context of children’s health, well-being, education and happiness
