In 2023, Anglicare WA’s ShiftLab launched an innovative pilot at Dudley Park Child and Parent Centre to change that. The result? Hopscotch- an award-winning, low-stress, place-based program that’s opening doors for parents and tackling worker shortages. Recognised for Excellence in Partnerships, Hopscotch is now influencing national employment policy with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
In this webinar, hosted by the WA Social Enterprise Council, Kira Rikkers from Anglicare WA’s innovation team unpacks the Hopscotch model. Learn how it’s transforming employment pathways—and how social enterprises can use it to support parents facing complex barriers.
This recording is perfect for: Social enterprises working with parents, organisations looking to start inclusive employment programs and anyone interested in community-driven innovation.
Key takeaways
1. Design Employment Pathways with (not for) Parents
Hopscotch succeeded because it was co-designed with participants, not just delivered to them. The model integrates parents’ lived experiences—recognising their strengths, needs, and complex realities (like childcare, transport, and identity loss post-parenting). This participatory approach fosters deeper engagement, trust, and outcomes that genuinely reflect community priorities.
2. Wraparound Supports Aren’t Extras—They’re Essential Infrastructure
Childcare, transport, vouchers, lunch, and life admin support (e.g. help accessing ID documents) were crucial to retention and participation. These “small” enablers directly addressed systemic barriers that often prevent parents—especially women—from entering training or work. Every participant completed the program, despite facing challenges like family violence, housing stress, and mental health concerns.
3. Workforce Gaps Meet Community Strengths—If We Bridge the Middle
Hopscotch targeted sectors with chronic staff shortages (aged care, disability, childcare) and connected them with parents ready to re-enter work. The success lay in bridging recruitment gaps softly—through supportive training, mentoring, and work placements in familiar environments. Social enterprises can replicate this by aligning community strengths with unmet labour needs, using inclusive design.
4. Flexible, Place-Based Models Unlock Systemic Impact
By running Hopscotch at a Child and Parent Centre, Anglicare WA demonstrated how trusted, local hubs can become gateways to work. The program model is open-source, adaptable, and scalable—but requires local relationships and flexible funding to replicate. Social enterprises are well-placed to adopt or adapt Hopscotch-like approaches, especially where funders value outcomes beyond employment stats (e.g. wellbeing, confidence, community connection).
Watch the recording of the Workshop
And you can view or download a copy of the presentation below.
