Positive Parenting
Supporting parents so that their children and young people have positive stable childhoods and are encouraged to succeed.
Background from the 2008 CYP Needs Assessment:
- misuse of alcohol is increasing. The resultant risk to children has led to rising numbers in care and subject to child protection plans;
- there is a strong correlation between levels of deprivation and low numbers of mothers who breastfeed;
- children born to young parents are more likely to become young parents themselves;
- there are increasing numbers of children subject to child protection plans for emotional neglect;
- debt and depression affect parental capacity and can lead to more neglect and child abuse.
From expert group sessions and consultation:
- children and young people do best when cared for by a loving family where parents want their children to do the best they can;
- a positive attachment in babyhood with a loving parent/carer is one of the most significant factors in future mental health and wellbeing;
- maternal post natal depression can adversely affect the attachment between mothers and babies;
- children and young people’s mental health can be damaged by the effects of domestic violence.
What young people say:
- 31% children and young people worry about their parents or family (TellUs Survey);
- 51% children and young people worry about their future (TellUs Survey)
What we need to do:
- promote all services to be aware that adults also often have parental responsibilities;
- involve parents in the planning and commissioning of preventative services;
- identify parents who need additional support early;
- use parenting programmes that work across agencies and the third sector;
- promote and support breastfeeding and healthy eating patterns in families;
- develop a strategy for fathers’ involvement in the parenting task;
- support young parents;
- provide expert support for parents whose children have complex needs;
- provide effective support and treatment for parents who have substance misuse and mental health difficulties;
- provide effective services to prevent and support domestic violence victims;
- ensure parents who are violent or abusive can access appropriate programmes/treatments;
- enable parents to access employment advice and training;
- assist parents with financial difficulties through accessible advice and information;
- support parents to enable them to support children and young people’s learning.
What this would mean for the each outcome:
| Outcome |
Impact |
| Be Healthy |
Positive childhood attachments and emotional resilience
Healthy lifestyles established with young children |
| Stay Safe |
Early identification of parents, including those who themselves have particular needs and those with children who have complex needs, requiring additional support preventing escalation to more serious difficulties
Robust safeguarding practice when required |
| Enjoy & Achieve |
Parents participating effectively in their children’s play and learning with more active involvement of fathers
|
| Positive Contribution |
Parents involved in developing services and in volunteering opportunities |
| Economic Wellbeing |
Parents are able to make the best of their employment and learning opportunities with access to good employment and financial advice and affordable childcare |
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Key changes we will see as a result:
- The introduction of a systematic approach to parenting programmes that work in South Gloucestershire;
- Parents involved in the planning and commissioning of all services for children and young people;
- All services and settings being aware and responsive to the needs of parents and families in service delivery;
- An increased focus on early support and prevention for parents and families.
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