Created positive change for children and their families
We’re committed to creating positive educational outcomes for children and their families experiencing disadvantage.
Disadvantage and poverty can hinder a child’s learning and affect their subsequent life outcomes, putting them at greater risk of ongoing disadvantage through life. We aim to break the cycle of disadvantage for children by increasing their and their parents’ engagement with school.
Our ambition is to pursue systemic change in the early childhood and education sectors by leading research, policy reform and practice development that focuses on building parental capability and improving the home learning environment as a complement to formal early years educational settings.
BSL delivers programs to children and families across Greater Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Shepparton. National reach is achieved through our work with partner agencies in their local communities. Our programs support parents to be their child’s first teacher and aim to improve the home learning environment to support child development. This work aims to help children make a strong, confident start to school.
HIPPY: Changing the trajectory of children and supporting parents into work
We’re helping parents and carers to improve their children’s school readiness.
Delivered in 100 communities across Australia, our Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is an early learning and parenting program for young children in low-income households. It improves children’s school readiness by providing parents/carers with the confidence and tools to support their child's education. It also provides parents/carers with the opportunity to work as tutors in the program and increase their opportunities for sustainable work.
Over 3,970 parents and carers have been supported by our HIPPY program in the 2021 financial year.
Two research studies conducted by BSL’s Research and Policy Centre provide evidence that HIPPY is a transformational program for children and their families.
These landmark research reports – Changing children’s trajectories and Transforming employment aspirations – were launched by Senator the Honourable Ann Ruston, Minister for Social Services, in February 2021. The reports prove that, when given the opportunity and well-designed support, families grappling with the challenges of disadvantage and poverty can make real change to their children’s lives. By building on parents’ aspirations for themselves and their families, HIPPY empowers parents to be their child’s first teacher in the home. The home becomes a place of learning, preparing the child for school and academic achievement.
Specifically, the HIPPY Longitudinal Study found that, on average, HIPPY children performed below the Australian average on literacy and numeracy at the start of the two-year program. By the end of HIPPY, their average scores slightly exceeded the Australian mean, changing their learning trajectory and putting them on a comparable footing with their peers.
Through HIPPY, parents can also secure employment as paid tutors. Our research found that through BSL’s Pathways to Possibilities program and mentoring, parent tutors build their capabilities to be competitive in the local job market. HIPPY acts as a transitional labour market program for over 450 tutors per year, by building the skills, networks and confidence to help tutors transition back into work. Roughly 65% of parents said they intended to find paid employment after working with HIPPY.
The transformation is expressed by tutors’ voices: 'It was so nice having a workplace that supported me … so I could be a mum and a working woman at the same time.'
Landing the role of HIPPY tutor was such a turning point in my life.
Similarly, parents have found the program life-changing, with one parent stating: ‘Wonderful experience with my child, amazing to see their growth and set her up for school. I have a stronger relationship, learning together.’
The research outcomes of our HIPPY studies are used as evidence to form key policy perspectives as part of our advocacy agenda and engagement with government decision-makers.