Commissioners Toolkit
Database of replicable parenting programmes
General guidance on offering parenting support
Parents – mothers and fathers – want to do their best for their children and are the major influences on a child's life. Parenting in the home has a far more significant impact on children's achievement than parents' social class or level of education. However, the majority of parents say there are times in their lives when they would like more advice and support in their parenting role. This can range from simple advice or information to much more structured and intensive interventions. Good quality services, carefully selected and sensitively delivered by properly trained practitioners, can make all the difference.
Parents are often keen to access parenting support and need help to find the services that meet their needs. Sometimes they are cautious or unaware that help is available and need to be guided and encouraged to take up services. Where possible it is best to offer a range of services; parents will select what suits their family. In the last resort parents may be directed by the courts to receive services. Whilst some parents had mixed expectations at the outset of what the services would be like, the majority have said that they would recommend them to other parents in their situation. Click here for a list of agencies who can provide advice on parenting services that meet particular needs.
Programmes are only as good as the practitioners providing them. David Quinton (Supporting parents: messages from research, 2004) found that "How you work with parents is as important as what you do". All work with parents should meet National Occupational Standards; it should be delivered by appropriately skilled professionals whose training includes specific elements to equip them to work with parents. Meeting the needs of parents, as early and as effectively as possible, is vital. Whilst public services have an important role to play, especially where the needs of parents are most acute, most parents will look first to friends and family members and secondly to the voluntary sector.
Parenting UK is the national umbrella body for people who work with parents; we can help you find local providers and can advise on training and support for practitioners. For more information visit www.parentinguk.org. Our Director of Quality Standards and Training runs a telephone surgery at pre-advertised times to advise on training and quality assurance matters – details can be found on the Parenting UK website at www.parentinguk.org/2/training
If you know of a programme that you think should be included in the Toolkit please visit www.parentinguk.org/1/services/info-and-resources/toolkit