Parents and family members (which also includes carers and grandparents) are all those community members who are bringing up young people aged 10 – 19 in our local area.

Our parent and family members also include organisations and groups who represent the needs of parents and family members.

Why we partner with parent and family members

Parents and families are crucial to supporting young people as they transition (or move) through school and then onto training, further education and/or employment. Research shows that when parents and family members provide a supportive, informed and aspirational environment their child is more likely to have positive education, training, employment and wellbeing outcomes. Representative groups are also important as they can assist parents and families to provide that positive and supportive environment for their child.

Parent and family partnerships and projects

We work with parents and families in a variety of ways including opportunities to participate in research and informing them about local forums and events. We work with parent and family representative organisations by providing them with network and/or partnership development opportunities, providing research opportunities, and initiating locally needed parent and family related projects. For details about current parent and family partnerships, networks and projects visit the Parent and Family Partnerships page.

Key priorities

Our research has identified the following as key priorities that we will partner with parents, families and community / education organisations to address in the immediate term:

• Increasing parental awareness of the importance of family and school partnerships (in particular the importance of maintaining connections during the secondary school years)
• Ensuring parental access to programs that increase their awareness of the critical transition points in children and young people's lives (in particular the transition from primary to secondary school, and the transition from secondary school to post-school)
• Ensuring that carers, parents of children with a disability, parents from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have access to audience-specific programs that enhance their capacity to support their child as they move through the critical transition points (eg. delivered in a specific language, delivered in a specific location). 

Parent and family research

Our Research Library houses a range of resources of relevance to parents, families and their support organisations.

The BGK LLEN is also interested in partnering with parent and family representative organisations to undertake research that fits within our strategic objectives and will benefit the region.  Please contact the BGK LLEN if you would like to discuss research opportunities.

Parents may be particularly interested in the BGK LLEN handbook, 'Who, What, Where – your guide to all the important stuff in the BGK region'.  This handbook provides information about the final years of schooling, post-school education and training, work, money management, housing, rights and responsibilities as a young adult, driving, health and relationships. The handbook provides both information and a guide to local services and, while the book's primary audience is young people aged 15 - 19, it is also a useful reference or referral guide for parents, organisations and community members. To order one of more copies, contact the BGK LLEN.

Parent and family events and programs

Our Events Calender lists a wide range of events that may interest parent, family and representative organisations (please note that this events list is driven by the BGK LLEN-led 'Working with Parents Network').