Who We Are
We are committed to “Reversing the Adverse” caused by negative Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
New Children’s Pathways is by no means a new venture as this organisation was originally formed in the UK over 15 years ago. The New Pathways team hopes to use that experience and knowledge to deliver improvement’s in service delivery for young people in Australia.
New Children’s Pathways is a not for profit organisation and was established in Australia in 2016. The driving force behind the organisation is the founder Peter Spencer. Peter is a Social Worker from the UK who migrated to Australia in 2015. Peter brings with him a wealth of knowledge and a number of professional registrations including registrations in both the Legal and Education fields. Having worked in a number of statutory and third sector roles in Australia, Peter was frustrated by the lack of appropriate services for young people. Whilst working in some challenging environments, Peter identified that there were large numbers of young people living in very tough situations. He set out to attempt to make some changes about how children’s services were delivered in Australia, in the hope of closing the gaps and achieving better outcomes for young people.
The New Children’s Pathways team consists of a number of registered professionals and very skilled volunteers. All the people involved with New Children’s Pathways are motivated by the smiles on the children’s faces.
New Children’s Pathways is not a crisis service nor do they have a focus on families. However at times we may also help out the wider family members if this is in the best interests of the children.
Our Mission
New Children’s Pathways is concerned with “Reversing the Adverse” caused by negative Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
What are ACEs and why do we care?
Traumatic childhood events such as abuse, neglect, and witnessing experiences like crime, parental conflict, mental illness and substance abuse all result in long-term negative effects on learning, behaviour and health. Often referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), these types of events create dangerous levels of stress that can derail healthy brain development, increase risk for smoking, alcoholism, substance misuse, depression, heart disease, and dozens of other illnesses and unhealthy behaviours throughout life.
ACEs have been linked to risky health behaviours, chronic health conditions, low life potential, engagement in statutory services, future substance misuse and early death.
As the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for these outcomes. The wide-ranging health and social consequences of ACEs underscore the importance of preventing them before they happen; assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children. Providing the “Essentials for Childhood” can have a positive impact on a broad range of health problems and on the development of skills that will help children reach their full potential.
What We Do?
We currently identify children who are living in very challenging environments in the wider Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba, Logan and Gold Coast areas.
We have a relationship with statutory and third sector organisations who help us identify children, who may benefit from our services. We receive a huge amount of calls from individuals and families too.
We deliver social work services of a therapeutic nature to children. Where we aim to deliver these services with a whole team around the child approach. We use a number of mediums including activities. Examples of some of the work we have completed are:
Our current goal
The New Pathways team is committed to developing services for young people in Australia. These services should be able to enrich the lives of young people in Australia. New Children’s Pathways is committed to exploring any opportunity that would contribute to better outcomes for young people.
We are therefore very keen to hear from any agency that believes they could work in partnership in order to develop services for young people in Australia.
