Pathways to Positive Parenting

Our goal is to support fathers in becoming better parents and building stronger, healthier relationships with their children.

What do we do?

We offer up to 200 hours of tailored support for fathers and families, focusing on building positive parent-child relationships.

We do this by:

• Assisting fathers to understand the impact their use of violence has on their children.
• Helping fathers set and achieve goals for better parenting.
• Working holistically; supporting the father and the family unit.
• Building strong, positive relationships between parents and children.
• Creating a safe and secure environment for children to grow and thrive.

Our approach

Our holistic approach adapts to each family's needs and is guided by proven methods and includes a period of transitional support as they exit the service.

Services are delivered utilising the following models:

	Strength based theory - focuses on the positive attributes and capabilities of a person or a group, rather than the negative or things that are lacking.
	Safe and Together model - perpetrator pattern-based approach to assessment, intervention and safety planning for children, young people, parents and families.
	Motivational Interviewing - guiding style of communication designed to empower people to change by drawing out their own meaning, importance and capacity for change.
	Attachment theory - focuses on relationships and particularly the importance of early bonds between infants and their primary caregiver.
	Systems theory - observing and analysing the systems that contribute to a person's behaviour and welfare.
	Trauma Informed theory - recognising presenting problems as symptoms of maladaptive coping from early trauma.
	MCM’s own Healing Oriented Framework - builds on trauma informed practice and applies a strengths lens to support growth, wellbeing and recovery.

Who do we support?

The eligibility criteria of our program consists of:

• Fathers living full-time, part-time, or having regular contact with their children (e.g., shared custody or access visits).
• Must reside in the Brimbank Melton area.
• Assessed as low or medium risk on MARAM (Tier 3).
• Must have a current safety plan and/or MARAM in place.
• Children in the family can be aged from unborn to 17 years old.
• Fathers must be willing to work on parenting and addressing their use of violence.

Referrals and contact 

Referrals to MCM can be made via:

• Child Protection (including community-based Child Protection)
• The Orange Door

Referral forms can be emailed to ifs-fv@mcm.org.au
Once a referral is received, MCM will respond to set up a handover meeting.