Leading Western Australian parenting organisation Ngala has partnered with Rainbow Families to develop parenting courses specifically designed for LGBTQIA+ families.
The organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with plans to introduce the tailored courses in 2027.
The partnership will combine Ngala’s expertise in parenting education with the lived experiences of rainbow families, providing opportunities for parents to access practical support in an environment where they feel welcomed, understood and included.
Ngala CEO Michelle Dillon said the partnership reflected the organisation’s commitment to ensuring its services are accessible and inclusive of all families.
“Every family deserves to feel welcomed and supported when accessing parenting services, regardless of what their family looks like,” she said.
“By working with Rainbow Families, we have an opportunity to develop programs that recognise the diversity of modern families and ensure parents can access support that reflects their experiences.”
A key feature of the courses will be their delivery by facilitators with lived experience as both parents and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The approach aims to create a space where rainbow families can openly discuss parenting challenges, develop practical skills and build meaningful connections with other parents.
Rainbow Families Director Paul Hadfield-Jia said the partnership represented an important step in expanding access to inclusive parenting support and services for rainbow families.
“Rainbow families experience the same joys and challenges of parenting as everyone else, but traditional parenting environments don’t always reflect our families,” he said.
“We want parents to be able to walk into a room and feel completely comfortable, knowing they’re surrounded by people who understand their experiences.
“They should be able to focus on parenting rather than explaining their family structure.”
Joanne Boyling from Playgroups with Pride WA said creating opportunities for families and children to connect with others who share similar experiences was particularly important.
“We see through our playgroups how important it is for families to connect with others who share similar experiences and for our children to see other families like their own,” she said.
“There’s something really special about being in a space where your family is simply accepted.
These courses will give parents another opportunity to build those connections while gaining valuable parenting skills.”
Ngala Senior Coordinator Jennifer Noronha said the courses would bring together professional parenting knowledge and an understanding of the experiences of LGBTQIA+ families.
“We want parents to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their experiences and learning from one another,” she said.
“Bringing together professional parenting knowledge and facilitators with lived experience will help us create a supportive environment where families feel understood and confident to participate.”
As part of the partnership, Ngala will also join Rainbow Families at upcoming PrideFEST events, including Fair Day on Sunday 8 November and the Rainbow Families Pride Picnic on Saturday 14 November 2026 at Riverside Gardens in Bayswater.
These events will provide opportunities for families to meet the Ngala team, learn more about its services and discover the parenting courses planned for 2027.
Further details about course content, locations and registrations will be announced as planning progresses.
