Always Mum continues to grow

Always Mum is a unique 10-week programme supporting mothers with children who have been removed and are in out of home care. The programme helps them learn to be better mothers and to improve their relationships with their children. Since its inception in 2019, Lou's is proud to report that 102 mums have completed the programme, and 22 children have been restored to their mothers' care. Furthermore, Lou's has developed a strong partnership with Women's Legal Service NSW. This service provides mums with legal advice and education about the Child Protection System and Children's Court Process, as well as the opportunity to consult a solicitor for individual legal advice. In fact, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) in the NSW Children's Court documents it as a recommended programme for mothers to attend. As a result, we have received an increased number of referrals from both the DCJ and government-funded child protection services. 66% of the referrals from our current group are from DCJ case workers. 

Over the last six months, 22 mums have completed the programme, along with their 73 kids. We also provided Christmas support to 19 mums, which helped them to cover the cost of gifts and Christmas visits with their kids. We've received some great feedback from mums who've complete the programme:

What have I learnt in the last 10 weeks of Always Mum?

“Never give up."

“How to acknowledge my children’s feelings and thinking from a child’s perspective”

“To forgive myself.”

“There are places I can reach out to for support!"

What would my kids say if they knew I had done Always Mum?

“My mum finished mummy school.”

“They would be proud of their mum and the hard work she has done to bring them home where they belong.”

What advice would I give to other mums with kids in OOHC?

“Do Always Mum – you will feel like you have an army behind you.”

“Stay connected, reach out and build your village.”