Parenting Education

At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting (COSP)™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

Using the COSP™ model developed by the Circle of Security originators, our trained facilitators work with parents and caregivers to help them to:

• Understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs.
• Support their child’s ability to successfully manage emotions.
• Enhance the development of their child's self esteem.
• Honour the innate wisdom and desire for their child to be secure.

The 8-chapter course is designed to help parents (or significant others) to have better relationships with their children, by increasing their capacity to handle their own emotions, empathy and self-esteem.

The course further focuses on how the attachment theory can support children through difficult times, such as tantrums, fears or separation anxiety.

Eligibility

Our service is available to all parents or caregivers with children.

Cost

Circle of Security Parenting™ is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services, such as Family Law Courts,
• referrals from Department of Child Protection.

Location

Metropolitan Adelaide, Aldinga

The Australian Childhood Foundation developed this course to help parents reduce stress and family conflict while boosting parental confidence.

This five-session course, with each session lasting two hours, is designed for parents and carers of children aged 2-14, particularly those who have experienced family separation or divorce.

The course emphasises mindfulness and reflection to help parents improve communication with their children, fostering more respectful interactions and encouraging the development of a positive self-identity in children. It aims to create a new relationship context for parents and children by facilitating opportunities for positive exchanges.

Eligibility

Our service is available to all parents or caregivers with children.

Cost

Separated Parents is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services.

Location

Metropolitan Adelaide

This course consists of five two-hour sessions designed for parents, typically mothers, who need support with parenting after experiencing family violence. It addresses concerns about the impact of past violence on children and their well-being post-separation, especially when ongoing abuse remains an issue. The course provides strategies for making contact with the other parent more peaceful and safe for both parents and children.

Participants will learn a variety of parenting strategies to foster connectedness and respectful relationships with their children and the other parent. They will also gain insights into managing their own and their children’s strong emotions while forming new family dynamics. The program takes a participant-centered approach, allowing flexibility to meet the specific needs of each group.

Eligibility

Our service is available to all parents, particularly mothers, with children.

Cost

After FDV is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services.

Location

Metropolitan Adelaide

Bringing Up Great Kids (BUGK) is a comprehensive program designed to provide parents and carers with unique tools and activities to foster positive, nurturing relationships with their children. The program encourages parents to review and enhance communication patterns, promoting respectful interactions and supporting the development of a child's positive self-identity.

Developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation in 2005, BUGK is a well-established and acclaimed program with over 4,000 trained facilitators nationwide. Since its inception, more than 50,000 parents have benefited from its teachings.

The BUGK Program has been evaluated and found to effectively support the development of mindful, positive relationships between parents/carers and children.

Eligibility

Our service is available to all parents or caregivers with children.

Cost

Bringing Up Great Kids is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services.

Location

Metropolitan Adelaide

The Shark Cage® is a transformative seven-session course designed to prevent, understand, and heal from violence against girls and women. Based on the concept of Universal Human Rights and featuring a compelling metaphor, this seven-week course aims to build a strong sense of self and empower participants.

The Shark Cage® Framework

This five-step framework provides a comprehensive approach to preventing and understanding violence against girls and women. It integrates a powerful metaphor with multiple psychological modalities to offer trauma-informed support and empowerment.

• Step 1: Introducing the Shark Cage Metaphor – Learn the foundational metaphor that illustrates personal boundaries and safety.
• Step 2: Renovating the Shark Cage – Focus on strengthening and restoring personal boundaries to enhance resilience.
• Step 3: Fixing the Shark Cage Alarm – Develop awareness of warning signs and learn to respond effectively to potential threats.
• Step 4: Defending the Shark Cage – Acquire skills to assertively protect personal space and maintain self-respect.
• Step 5: Recognising Sharks and Dolphins – Identify harmful individuals (sharks) and differentiate them from supportive, trustworthy ones (dolphins).

Eligibility

Our service is available to women who have been affected by or are living with violence.

Cost

Shark Cage is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services.

Location

Wandana Community Centre

Women are Strong

Do you sometimes feel like you are walking on eggshells? If you feel alone, uncertain, or confused by your partner or ex-partner's behavior and suspect it might be abusive, our 8-week support group offers insight in a safe and confidential space.

Together, we will explore:

• Being a person for yourself rather than for someone else
• Reconnecting with your personal strengths
• Understanding the effects of abusive or hurtful relationships
• Managing overwhelming emotions
• Examining women’s roles in the family and society
• Developing strategies for personal safety

Eligibility

Our service is available to women who have been affected by or are living with violence.

Cost

Women are Strong is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services.

Location

Wandana Community Centre

Who is In Charge? is a supportive and empowering 8-week group program designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8-18 who are experiencing challenges with control, violence, or defiance. This free course offers a safe space for parents and carers to share experiences, reduce feelings of guilt and shame, and learn effective strategies for managing challenging behaviours.

Participants will explore various aspects of parenting, including understanding power dynamics in relationships and coping with stress. The program also focuses on enhancing safety and well-being for both parents and their children. Join us to gain valuable insights and practical tools to navigate the complexities of parenting in a supportive and understanding environment.

This project is jointly funded by Centacare Catholic Family Services and Department of Social Services.

Eligibility

Our service is available to all parents or caregivers with children aged 8-18.

Cost

Who is In Charge? is a FREE service.

Referrals

We accept:

• self-referrals,
• referrals from other services.

Location

Metropolitan Adelaide