For over 30 years, Family Worker Training and Development Programme Inc. (FWT+DP) has been providing affordable and local professional development, training and capacity building to family support workers, organisations and communities throughout Sydney’s greater west.
The community sector is dynamic. Changes in service delivery models, government priorities, funding, and research often result in organisations having to do with the same resources. Our goal is to help to build the capacity of these organisations so they can provide consistent and relevant support to children, youth, families and communities. “
– Kerry Palejs, CEO
FWT+DP aims to provide the community sector with access to the most current evidence-based research and innovative, best practice training. Our membership with SNAICC is a valuable resource that provides us with unique insights, information and research that connects us to the broader Australian childcare sector, and increases our capacity to remain a leader in what we do.
FWT+DP Training
Each year around 2000 individual workers attend our conferences and workshops. Participants come from a wide range of sectors and organisations, such as: education and health, welfare, early childhood, youth, family and multicultural support, Aboriginal and neighbourhood centres, legal and court support, community housing and local government.
FWT+DP is committed to exploring and piloting new learning opportunities and approaches and providing culturally appropriate, relevant and respectful service delivery.FWT+DP offers a wide range of training courses in a variety of locations across western Sydney from Auburn to Lithgow. Tailored training is also regularly organised for interested organisations across NSW.
FWT+DP assists organisations and individual workers across the community sector in building their capacity so that they can provide the best possible support to all types of families in our communities. FWT+DP also manage specific programs to assist community organisations to better engage with and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
FWT+DP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focus
One of the major challenges for our sector is retaining trained and motivated staff, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Professional development and training is not only a way that employers can invest in their staff and increase employee satisfaction, it is also an opportunity for individual employees to meet with their peers, share stories, gain confidence and learn from experts in their field. “
– Kerry Palejs, CEO
In the past twelve months, FWT+DP has delivered over 100 conferences and workshops. Events held during 2016–17 that impacted and supported Aboriginal and Islander Child care organisations include:
- Self-Care for Aboriginal Workers
- Aboriginal Cultural Awareness
- Good Enough Parenting?
- Understanding and Working with First Australians
- Domestic and Family Violence in Aboriginal Communities
- Family Work Through the Lens of Trauma
- Child Development and the Impact of Trauma – The Importance of the first 1,000 days
FWT+DP celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and respond to the needs of people working in the community sector through regular consultation and engagement. To this end, FWT+DP run a ‘Yarn Up’ group with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in western Sydney who meet regularly, bringing together Elders, individuals and workers.
Two training sessions with Parenting practitioners from across NSW.
FWT-DP CEO celebrating Sorry Day 2017 in Blacktown with one of the speakers and her daughter.
Becoming a SNAICC member
Not a member? Want to join Family Worker Training and Development Programme Inc. and other services from across the country in helping to strengthen our sector in advocating for our children and families at all levels of government?
