Types of parents
This is the most common type of parent — one who conceives a child naturally and raises them from birth.
Biological parents
This type of carer provides unpaid care to a family member or friend and is not employed in a formal caring role.
Informal carer
This acronym summarises the four key preparations a person should make before becoming a parent or carer.
COME
According to the ABS (2016), a dependant child must be under this age.
This acronym names the eight personal influences on parents and carers studied in the CAFS syllabus.
COMPRESS
This type of parent has gone through a legal process to permanently take on full parental responsibility for a child who is not biologically theirs.
Adoptive parent
MCG acronym =
Media stereotypes, Community attitudes, Gender expectations
The C in COME — this preparation involves improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, attending antenatal classes, and practising relaxation techniques.
Changing health behaviours
These are the three types of needs a dependant cannot fully meet without support, as defined in the CAFS syllabus.
Physical, emotional, and social needs
The O in COMPRESS — this influence refers to the way a person was raised and the parenting patterns passed from one generation to the next.
Own upbringing
This acronym - FASS stands for the four main types of social parents studied in the CAFS syllabus, what are they?
FASS - Fostering, Adoptive, Surrogacy and Step parenting
This term describes temporary relief provided to a carer from their caring responsibilities, allowing them time to rest and attend to their own needs. (Fostering types)
Respite care
The M in COME — this preparation involves adapting the home to suit the needs of the dependant, such as installing safety gates or storing mobility equipment.
Modifying the physical environment
Under the ABS (2016), a dependant student must be aged 15–24, enrolled in this type of study, and usually living at home.
Full-time study
The M in COMPRESS — this influence refers to the competing demands of work, study, sport, and family that affect how much time and energy a parent or carer can give to their dependant.
Multiple commitments
This type of parent provides temporary care for a child under the supervision of the Department of Communities and Justice, and does not hold permanent legal guardianship.
Foster parent/carer
This type of carer is paid and holds formal qualifications — examples include nurses, aged care workers, and disability support workers.
Formal carer
The O in COME — this preparation includes budgeting for medical costs, saving for equipment, and making use of government payments such as the carers allowance.
Organising finances
These are the four factors identified in the slides (characteristics of the dependent) that influence the relationship between a dependent and their care provider.
Age, gender, cultural background, and education levels
This term, represented by the first S in COMPRESS, is determined by a person’s income, occupation, education level, and area of residence, and affects the resources available to parents and carers.
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
This acronym covers the assisted reproductive technologies used by some parents to conceive, including In Vitro Fertilisation, Artificial Insemination, and Embryo Transfer.
ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology)
This piece of NSW legislation formally recognises the contribution of carers and outlines their rights and the responsibilities of government agencies toward them. (Hint - C.R.A 2010)
Carers Recognition Act 2010
The E in COME — the slides specifically name this website as a reliable source parents can use when completing this preparation before the birth of a child.
The Raising Children Network
This stage of life is described as a period when a person is “more independent but still needing parental support for identity development and education.”
Adolescence.
The R in COMPRESS — carers must respect this aspect of their dependant’s identity, including honouring faith practices and not compromising their beliefs.
Religion/spirituality.