Overview
Key points for LDATs
- Parenting programs or services aim to improve outcomes for children by increasing parents’ knowledge, skills and capacity as a caregiver, as well as strengthening relationships between parents and their children.1
- Programs are usually delivered for children aged 0-16 years and may involve someone other than the child’s biological parent, such as grandparents, step-parents, foster parents or other carers.2
- Parenting programs are effective at improving parenting practices and child development, which can help prevent alcohol and other drug (AOD) harms and improve a range of health and social outcomes.1
- Parenting programs can help reduce known AOD risk factors in children and promote protective factors.
Examples of these risk and protective factors3-6:
Risk factors
- Family alcohol and drug issues
- Family conflict
- Harsh or inconsistent parenting
- Parental supply of alcohol
- Favourable parental attitudes towards alcohol use
Protective factors
- A sense of belonging or connectedness to family
- Parental involvement
- Family rituals/celebrations held and maintained
- A caring relationship, even with one parent/and or carer
- Clear rules against alcohol use
Read more about risk and protective factors.