Liverpool families in crisis supported by wrap around program which includes childcare

The Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections Community Development Program (LNC-CDP) – which provides direct relief from poverty, and runs programs that provide accessible information, community development, capacity building and advocacy services – has transformed the lives of numerous migrant and refugee women and their families, a new report from Western Sydney University has found. 

LNC-CDP is a transformational program, a new report led by Western Sydney University has found, revealing the numerous reasons the program has been so successful. 

“There are a number of characteristics that make the program work so well,” report co-author Professor Brian Stout said, outlining the role of the LNC’s “exceptional leadership”, and the fact that the model used by the program is one which engages the with the community and understands the needs of women using the service.

The report reveals that women who are supported with education and skills training, and then provided with an environment that allows them to engage in these things – by providing accessible childcare services – experience positive personal impacts, which then flow on to their families and the broader community.

Fellow co-author Dr Teddy Nagaddya said that one of the key findings was the impact that the provision of childcare and child services programs had on enabling women’s labour participation and improved parenting skills, leading to happier families.

“These services have not only empowered women to live as financially independent individuals, but also proved to have the potential of reducing welfare dependency and promotion of mental wellness,” she said.

LNC CEO Pat Hall outlined the role of the centre, which runs 65 programs accessed by 22,000 people annually as a place where women can feel safe and empowered.

“Our centre has become a place where women from different cultures and who speak different languages, can come and feel safe and feel heard,” she said. 

“Women who contact us in the first instance, usually do so through things like our childcare services. Many then go on to access our women’s groups, TAFE classes or our social enterprise programs which can change the whole dynamic of a family. With these skills women in crisis finally have a way out as they have access to money and start believing in themselves.” 

Research in the report was based on work led by an international cohort of Masters of Social Work students at Western Sydney University. 

LNC-CDP is supported by the Department of Communities and Justice; Department of Education; Western Sydney University; Sydney Community Foundation; Be Kind to Sydney Fund; Sydney Women’s Fund; Weir Anderson Foundation; and Sherry Hogan.