She struggled with a chaotic home life marred by complex health challenges. Her two older children were temporarily removed from her care.

Pregnant with her third child and determined to prove herself as a capable parent, Melissa signed up to an innovative pilot program under way in Sydney.

Called SafeCare, the intensive parenting program was designed by a team of academics from Georgia State University's School of Public Health with ongoing research showing promising results for families where children are at risk.

For Melissa, it proved to be a lifeline.

"I want to be a good mum so I thought, yes, I'll give it a go," the 31-year-old from Shalvey said.

Over several months, she and her partner received one-on-one support from a trained case worker as she undertook the highly structured program which covers subjects such as health, home safety and problem solving.

Her youngest child Macy, 20 months, is thriving, her son has been restored to her care and her older daughter is expected to return to the family home by Christmas.

"Life is so much better now, so much easier," she said.

"I feel calmer, able to do more with the kids, I'm happier. It's just a better life for all of us. I am able to be there for my kids now."

SafeCare was established in the US in 2007, where research has shown it has reduced harm and neglect by 26 per cent. The evidence-based program has since been adapted for use in Britain, Canada, Spain, Israel and Australia, where it has been trialled for the past two years.

Catherine Wood, an operations manager with Wesley Mission, which is providing SafeCare in Sydney's west, said the program taught specific skills to address parenting challenges.

"SafeCare is simple. It's structured. It's demonstrative," she said. "It's not overly complicated. It is easy for parents to work within the structure.

"There is so much happening in these families' lives and it is all so complex, the last thing they need is a complicated parenting program."

More than 60 families have taken part in the pilot program in Blacktown, the Nepean and Cumberland regions.

Annette Michaux, director of the Parenting Research Centre which is helping to implement the program in Australia, said the program was backed by rigorous research and had been tested over many years.

"It really has potential to keep families together safely and help parents with quite complex needs," she said.

"Building the skills those families need does take a bit more intensive work. Raising children is a skill which needs to be learned. It doesn't just come naturally and for some of us learning that skill is a little bit harder.

"SafeCare is not just about giving advice. It's about learning how to do something and having the support to master the skill."

Family and Community Services Minister Pru Goward said the NSW government was committed to supporting evidence-based early intervention and prevention programs.

"Where SafeCare is different, and why it works, is in its design," she said. "Unlike other family intervention programs, our caseworkers go into the home of the family and teach parents the skills they need to prevent child abuse and neglect. We want all children to have a safe, loving and stable home for life."