PIFA logo

Parent Infant
Family Australia

Our Vision, Guiding Principles and Values

OUR VISION

Helping Families Survive 0-5

VALUES

PIFA's work is embedded in a framework of respect and caring and is guided by values which grow out of a social justice perspective.

PIFA’s Guiding Principles

From its inception, the work of PIFA has been based on the understanding that the quality of the relationship between babies and their early carers form a foundation for later life.
The work is:

  • intensive, individualized and long term when necessary
  • enhanced by the formation of strategic partnerships
  • linked to outcomes via an ongoing action research model
  • based on the latest research
  • provided by highly qualified professionals
  • informed by the wisdom and tacit knowledge of our clients
  • focused on connecting parents with a range of supports and facilitating the formation of a therapeutic community around each family
  • committed to facilitating reflection on the work and dissemination of insights and learning gained to others involved with families
  • cost effective, as the majority of funding is channeled into direct work with families due to keeping overheads to a minimum and a high percentage of donated and in kind resources

PIFA's Values

Value What is needed to achieve this How we do this
Creativity
  • Trust
  • Acceptance
  • Freedom of expression
  • Tolerance
  • Flexibility
  • Stimulation
  • Peer support
  • Development of relationships within PIFA
  • Clear policies and protocols
  • Clear job descriptions
  • Training
Trust
  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Acceptance
  • Openness of communication
  • Willingness to share mistakes / difficulties encountered
  • Willingness to feedback if uncomfortable / concerned
  • Clarity around professional responsibility
Nurturance
  • Support systems
  • Personal growth
  • Acceptance
  • Social outings
  • Acknowledge core depression & despair in the work
  • Training program for consultants
  • Reading group
  • Succession planning
Reflection
  • Space to reflect
  • Trust
  • Acceptance
  • Peer reflection sessions
  • Individual reflection sessions
  • Writing up our work
  • Physical space for PIFA
  • Evaluation of work
Acceptance of Diversity
  • Acceptance
  • Tolerance
  • Trust
  • Understanding
  • Recruit new members
  • Share our own diversity
  • Training on indigenous and CALD cultures
Responsiveness
to Clients' Communities
  • Understanding
  • Acceptance
  • Ability to hear and be heard
  • Develop clear referral processes
  • Newsletter
  • Data base
Professional Integrity
  • Confidentiality
  • Accountability
  • Develop protocols
  • Letters for clients to clarify boundaries
  • Support responsible leadership
Transformative Ability
  • Holding and Containment
  • Containment for workers (reflective sessions)
  • Containing leadership (support /clarity around expectations)