The Minns Labor Government has invested nearly $30 million to expand a program that safely brings families back together by providing intensive support to vulnerable parents.
Newpin, run by Uniting in collaboration with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), provides up to 18 months of intensive therapeutic supports and specialist parenting skills to vulnerable families with children in care.
Safely restoring children to their parents is a critical element of the NSW Government's recently released Out-of-Home Care Strategy, after restoration rates dramatically declined under the former government.
The Minns Labor Government has now invested an additional nearly $30 million to extend Newpin services for three years and expand its eligibility criteria, making it available to more families.
The government-funded expansion is expected to see the number of families supported by the program increase from 85 families to 120 families across NSW. The program operates from six locations in NSW: Bidwill, North Parramatta, Ingleburn, Wyong, Newcastle and Port Kembla.
The investment to expand Newpin is in addition to the Minns Labor Government's landmark $1.2 billion Child Protection Package, the largest investment in the State's history, to comprehensively reform the child protection system.
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:
"To rebuild the child protection system in NSW we are investing in what works, like Newpin, a program that's been successfully supporting families to get back together safely for decades.
"The Minns Labor Government is investing in protecting vulnerable children and bringing families safely back together.
"This life changing program is critical to turning around the rates of restoration which declined drastically under the former government."
Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla said:
"The Newpin program started in Bidwill almost 30 years ago and it has made a huge difference to our community and beyond.
"By investing in this important program, our government is giving local families the tools they need to build safe and strong futures together."
Department of Communities and Justice Secretary Michael Tidball said:
"My department is committed to restoring more children to their families as part of our reform of the out-of-home care system.
"Programs like Newpin give parents the help they need. This results in stronger relationships and positive outcomes for families."
Uniting NSW and ACT Director Communities, Dr Andrew Montague said:
"Uniting Newpin has offered families and children space and support to heal, reconnect and do the work to rebuild safe, loving homes.
"We help change lives every day, with more than half the children supported by Newpin returning to live with their families on an ongoing basis.
"Uniting is very pleased to now offer this opportunity for even more families over the coming 3 years. Returning children to the care of their families whenever safe underpins our commitment to reducing the number of children in care."
