Supporting Parents with Cognitive Impairment: A Collaborative, Evidence-Informed Approach

Supporting Parents with Cognitive Impairment: A Collaborative, Evidence-Informed Approach | Meli, Tweddle, CoHealth and Deakin

Over the past three years, Meli has partnered with Tweddle, CoHealth, and Deakin University to deliver the Steps to Confident Parenting program—an innovative, tailored support initiative for parents with cognitive impairment or disability whose children are at risk of entering out-of-home care. Families referred for Family Support programs through Meli or CoHealth may be offered additional and intensive support through Tweddle (for children aged 0–3) or a specialised coach, with services delivered in collaboration with a Child and Family Practitioner. This structured, home and community-based model aims to strengthen parenting capacity and promote child safety, stability, health, and development.

Parents with intellectual disability or cognitive impairment are significantly over-represented in child protection data across the regions served. The program’s objectives are to:

• Support parents to safely care for their children and meet developmental needs.
• Build sustainable care arrangements, especially during key transitions.
• Facilitate access to long-term formal and informal supports to reduce future service involvement.
• Assist parents in navigating the NDIS, advocating for plans that include parenting and disability supports.
• Maintain parent-child relationships when care services are required.
• Identify effective interventions and service gaps to inform future practice.
• Strengthen referral pathways and cross-agency collaboration.

In parallel, Deakin University is conducting a Prospective Cohort Study to track outcomes for participating families over 12 months. All partners play an active role in governance and ongoing research discussions.
Two complementary interventions underpin the program: (1) intensive, home-based parenting support for parents with intellectual disability or cognitive delay, and (2) ongoing family services support. Together, these approaches aim to build evidence for integrated service models that better support vulnerable families and reduce the risk of child protection involvement.

Speakers

Toni Gauntlett

Manager, Meli

Toni is a passionate leader with a strong commitment to trauma-informed and evidence-informed practice. Within her Leadership capacity Toni has played a pivotal role in embedding key frameworks such as BICPM, MARAM, and brings strength-based approaches case direction.

Ali Williams

Social Worker, Cohealth

Ali Williams (she/her) is a dedicated and experienced social worker who manages Integrated Family Services and Specialist Family Violence Services at cohealth. With a strong commitment to community wellbeing, she leads trauma-informed programs that support individuals and families. Ali brings deep expertise and compassion to her work, fostering safety, empowerment, and long-term change.

Dr Jesse Shapiro

Lecturer, School of Psychology ,Faculty of Health, Deakin University

Dr Jesse Shapiro is a neuropsychologist and a lecturer in the School of Psychology at Deakin University. He is co-lead of the SEED Lifespan Consultancy Group who provide research consultancy to partners. Dr Shapiro is the lead researcher on the evaluation of the Steps to Confident Parenting program which assist parents with intellectual disability with their parenting skills.

Fiona Kay

Manager Barwon Region Programs, Tweddle

Mrs Fiona Kay is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing and a Diploma of Management, bringing over 28 years of clinical and leadership experience in both Australia and the United Kingdom.