1. SUPPORTING PARENTS IN EUROPE EU COUNCIL OF EUROPE

2. SOME BACKGROUND Increasing interest in child and family policy Due to: Recognition of the connectedness of social and economic (policy) issues and of need for policy in this area Demographic challenges Significance of the UNCRC

3. EU level 2 focuses: children’s rights, child poverty Rights Children made rights’ holders in EU Charter of Fundamental Human Rights (2000) July 2006 – Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child - address urgent needs (child helpline/hotline, combat use of credit card for internet pornography purchase, reduce child poverty, emphasise children in development co-operation); - other objectives/plans: ‘mainstream’ children’s rights when drafting EC legislation, set up a European Forum for the Rights of the Child, involve children in decision making, appoint a co- ordinator for the rights of the child, design a communication strategy on children’s rights

4. EU continued Child Poverty A focus for member states’ National Reports on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion Results thus far: Heightened status of child poverty, especially early education and care, balanced policy mix. However: few targets, children not participants and rights approach not followed

5. Council of Europe – Positive Parenting UNCRC on parenting role/obligations - provide appropriate guidance and direction (in a non-violent manner) - provide living conditions for child - enable the child to be heard Obligations on the State Act as guarantor of children’s rights Enable/promote them

6. Significance Shifts emphasis from parental authority to parental responsibility The two-way nature of parenting is recognised Implies that parenting needs to be resourced

7. Key Elements of Positive Parenting Positive parenting = promoting the development of positive parent-child relationships and optimising the child’s development potential Emphasises the way of parenting: Nurturing Providing structure Providing recognition Being empowering

8. Role for Policy Role Create the conditions for positive parenting Remove barriers Promote positive parenting

9. Substance of Policies Support for all parents: - formal, semi-formal and informal support - promoting education on children’s rights and positive parenting Targeting on parents at risk (of social exclusion) Guidelines for professionals