1. Lorna Howarth Local Parenting Strategy Team Families Policy, Development & Delivery Unit Parenting Support Policy Update

2. The Children’s Plan sets out our ambition to be the best place in the world for children to grow up We need a Children’s Plan now because…. childhood is changing most children happy and achieving – but not all need to move from above average to world class Plan built on five principles…. government does not bring up children – parents do all children have the potential to succeed children and young people need to enjoy their childhood services need to be shaped by and responsive to children, young people and their families it is always better to prevent failure than tackle a crisis later

3. Personal Parent-held record from birth to 11 –Building on the “red book”, a record of progress of child’s development On-line reporting –Every parent will have regular, up to date information on their child’s attendance, behaviour and progress in learning Parents’ Charter –Sets out what parents should expect from their local authority Parent Know-how –Helpline offering support for parents –Using technologies and media to provide information, advice and support –Online database –‘Virtual’ magazine Parents’ Panel –Voice for parents at the heart of Government, with links into a full cross-section of parental opinion, so these perspectives are better reflected in government policy making Parental confidence indicator –A national survey of opinion about services, with a longer term goal of including an indicator within the National Indicator Set for Local Government Children’s Plan commitments for families include:

4. Parents (mothers and fathers) are empowered, informed and engaged Services delivered in partnership with and through schools and early years settings Integrated service delivery drawing in adult and children’s services Services based on strategic assessment of what’s needed Focussing on improving outcomes and using methods that work Local Authorities leading local delivery & supporting families

5. Parent Support Advisers Focus on work with parents to improve pupil behaviour, attendance and general well-being Funding contained in the sustainability line of extended schools funding in standards fund Available in every LA area but need to focus on areas of greatest need Numbers to be determined locally Further resource kit and guidance due soon Parent Experts Provide extra support for families who are finding it difficult to deal with child’s behaviour Each LA will have 2 experts (including Respect Parenting Practitioners) Respect Parenting Practitioners should continue their focus on anti- social behaviour in target areas New experts should be delivery focussed Funding for new experts in Parenting Strategy Support Grant. Ts&Cs and further guidance due in May.

6. Parenting Early Intervention Pathfinders LA duty, s12 Childcare Act 2006, came into force on 1 April 2008 Required to extend the information they provide to parents. As well as providing expert infor on childcare, LAs will also provide childcare brokerage and informaiton on a range of other services which might benefit parents of children and young people up to age of 20 S12 Guidance published in March Full evaluation of FISs being undertaken – surveying starting this month, full results in the Autumn Toolkit to support delivery due this month and FIS Development Project will support FISs to manage their own futures Families Information Services PEIPs working with parents of 8-13 year olds at risk of negative outcomes Using evidence based programmes to provide a better, earlier, co-ordinated package of support that includes improved parenting skills Funding through the Parenting Strategy Support Grant

7. Family Intervention Projects Family Pathfinders 65 FIPs targeting the most disadvantaged and challenging families involved in anti social behaviour. Provides intensive holistic support package for the whole family co-ordinated by an assertive keyworker 15 Family Pathfinders and with 6 also Extended Pathfinders for Young Carers Building on the FIP approach to ensure services and systems to support families with multiple and complex needs, ensuring whole families needs are met. Funding through the Parenting Strategy Support Grant Feedback to unsuccessful applicants issued on Friday 16 May

8. Moving from strategies to implementation Almost all LAs have a Parenting Strategy in place Parenting Strategies should be closely allied to CYPPs Moving to consider implementation and links with wider strategic picture Key issues include: Securing parental feedback & engagement, Adequate mapping and needs analysis Performance management and monitoring Capacity building and commissioning of the VCS Ensuring needs of mothers and fathers are considered Developing the workforce

9. Working Together on the New Challenges - How do we ensure that parents are at the heart of policy and delivery? - What do we need to do to ensure effective piloting on a small scale to learn what works best and for which parents? - How can we further build local capacity, capability and responsiveness? - How do we ensure that parenting support is fully considered in LAAs, CYPPs and performance improvement cycles?

10. Parenting Implementation Project Working with 18 LAs, will help develop more strategic and joined up approaches to parenting support and to strengthen the use of evidence based parenting interventions through extended schools and children’s centres. It will: -- identify, promote and disseminate best practice on family and parenting support in LA commissioning of services for parents -- Develop frameworks to assist with the commissioning of services for parents -- Test, in a systematic way, different approaches towards parenting support services -- Use practice on the ground to inform national policy development, guidance and codes of practice Details of participating LAs and their projects will be issued with PSSG terms and conditions of grant in May National conferences planned for Nov 08 and April 09 with full launch of products in April 09

11. Parenting Implementation Project Commissioning Theme Groups Strategy Governance and Partnerships Planning for Implementation Workforce Development Parental Involvement Performance and Quality Management Implementation Theme Groups Fathers Working with Adult Services (2 Groups) Engaging parents from a BME or refugee community group Parents of children on the edge of care Early intervention services for 8-13 year olds