A Tasmanian childcare worker who joined a government parenting program while looking for direction is now paying it forward as a mentor, helping 50 parents through the same service.
Emma Clark, from Rokeby, spent more than 10 years working in childcare before signing up for Parent Pathways, a free federal program for parents and carers of children under six who are weighing up their next move.
She said she found the program online and joined without a clear plan, hoping to find a better balance between work and family.
Clark was paired with a mentor at Hobart provider Workskills Tasmania. The program funded her Certificate III in Community Services and gave her one-on-one mentoring.
When a mentor job came up at Workskills, Clark almost talked herself out of applying.
“Surely I wouldn’t be able to do that,” she said. Her mentors pushed her to apply and she got the job.
Clark now manages a caseload of 50 parents, checking in monthly and taking calls in between.
She said the work was about helping parents work out what they wanted, whether that was study, a job or a stronger sense of who they were outside parenting.
“Without the support and encouragement from my mentors, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to go for it,” Clark said.
“It’s been a full circle moment and I’m so grateful I took that first step.”
Her mentor at Workskills, Reema, said Clark had taken to the role quickly.
“I’ve been blown away by how naturally Emma has stepped into the role,” she said.
“She’s a wonderful example of how tailored support can truly change someone’s life.”
Clark, who has two daughters aged 10 and two, said she often shared her own story with parents who were nervous about starting.
Parent Pathways runs out of child and family centres across Tasmania.
The program is voluntary, with face-to-face and phone appointments available.
