Parenting support toolkit for alcohol and other drug workers
Quick reference card

Helplines
Childcare Access Hotline 1800 670 305
Directline 1800 888 236
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
Family Assistance Office 13 61 50
Maternal and Child Health 13 22 29
SIDS and Kids 1800 240 400
Toolkit navigation guide
Booklet 1
•	Why talk about parenting as part of drug treatment (p. 1)
•	The impact of drug use on parenting and on children (p. 5)
•	How to engage clients around parenting issues (p. 9)
•	An approach to working with parents (p. 11)
•	How to make appropriate referrals (p. 13)
•	How to make notifications to Child Protection services (p. 15)
•	Reviewing and reflecting on your practice (p. 23)

Booklet 2
•	Child development from birth to 15 years (p. 1)
•	Risk protective factors for children's health and wellbeing (p. 5)
•	Types of protective and family court orders (p. 6)
•	Collaborating with parents (p. 9)
•	A strengths-based approach (p. 13)
•	Fostering self-regulation in clients (p. 14)
•	Setting goals with clients (p. 15)
•	Working collaboratively with other professionals (p. 17)
•	A guide to interviewing clients (p. 26)
•	A guide to observing parents and children (p. 29)
•	How to draw Genograms and Ecomaps (p. 34)
•	How to write a treatment plan (p. 39)
•	Ready-to-use templates and information sheets (p. 44)
•	Screening and assessment measures (p. 57)

Booklet 3
•	Parenting services, support and education (p. 1)
•	Childcare and preschool (p. 13)
•	Supporting child health and development (p. 19)	
•	Family violence	 (p. 25)
•	Mental health (p. 31)
•	Financial entitlements and assistance (p. 37)	
•	Legal issues (p. 41
•	Helplines (p. 45)
•	Parenting and diversity (p. 49)
•	Parenting issues, support and self-care (p. 55)
•	Resources for service providers	(p. 59)

The Toolkit and other resources can also be found at:
www.health.vic.gov.au/drugservices

Parentline 13 22 89
•	A telephone information, advice, education, counselling and referral service for parents.
Regional parenting services
•	Provides information about local parenting services, programs, activities and training programs for parents and professionals
Northern:
•	Anglicare
Preston  (03) 9470 9499
Southern:
•	Anglicare
Frankston (03) 9781 6700
Rosebud  (03) 5896 9900
Eastern:
•	Anglicare
Bayswater (03) 9721 3646
Western:
•	Mackillop Family Services
Footscray (03) 9680 8444
Grampians:
•	Centacare
Ballarat (03) 5337 7960
Barwon South Western:
•	City of Greater Geelong
Geelong (03) 5227 0819
Hume:
•	Gateway Community Health Service
Wodonga  (02) 6022 8888
•	Goulburn Valley Community Health Service
Shepparton (03) 5823 3200
Gippsland:
•	Latrobe City
Traralgon  1300 367 700
Loddon Mallee:
•	Centacare
Bendigo  (03) 5438 1300

An approach to working with parents: reflecting on your practice
My role is to identify any parenting issues for my clients and to respond where possible with information, referrals or interventions. 
The following tasks will help me achieve this.
1.	Developed a collaborative relationship?                                          Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training				
•	I understand my client’s reason for seeking help
•	I understand the relationship between my client’s substance use problems and 
their parenting
•	I have made our respective roles clear
•	I have encouraged any client behaviour consistent with engagement in treatment
•	I have identified all the parenting concerns my client is willing to share
•	I have a background history of my client and their family life
2.	Developed a commitment to change?                                          Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training	
•	I have identified my client’s goals
•	I have helped my client to identify how we will we know things are getting better
•	I have helped my client to identify small actions toward their goals
3.	Explored the context?                                                                        Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training	
•	I have identified the situations and triggers in which my client's concerns occur.
•	I have helped my client to identify alternative strategies, skills or responses.
•	I have helped my client to identify the strengths and resources they could use to deal 
with the problem.
4.	Negotiated a treatment plan?                                                           Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training	
•	I have completed an assessment feedback with my client.
•	I have helped my client set goals and they are clear about the tasks we will work 
on together.
•	I have helped my client deal with any barriers to change.
5. Implemented the treatment?                                                              Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training	
•	I have continually tried to enhance my client's confidence.
•	I have enhanced my client's ability to solve problems for themselves.
•	I have introduced strategies to help my client change their environment to support 
their goals.
•	I have helped my client to become independent (self-regulate).
•	I have helped my client to obtain effective social support.
6. Monitored and evaluated the progress?                                         Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training	
•	I have routinely checked that the focus of our work fits with my client's goals.
•	I have supported my client to monitor, review and evaluate their progress regularly.
7. Maintained, generalised and terminated treatment?                    Yes    No    N/A   I do  / don’t want more training	
•	I have encouraged my client to generalise our work to other situations.
•	I have helped my client learn to recognise, anticipate and avoid early signals and 
triggers for relapse.
•	I have phased out my involvement in my client's life.