Key Messages from the National Parenting Coordinators’ Network 10 September 2014Gail Bennett, Parenting Network ChairFlintshire Parenting Strategy Coordinatorgail.bennett@flintshire.gov.uk01244 551140

Parenting Action Plan 2005-2008» Welsh Government 3 Year Action Plan

» A framework to support children and young people to develop and grow

» Recognised ‘parenting’ as a cross-cutting theme amongst services» Required a strategic approach at national and local level» Ended 2008» ‘Parenting’ included within other policy – reducing poverty, increasing

educational attainment and supporting cohesive communities.» Creating a wide continuum of service and multi-agency fora who input

into parenting» Anticipates services being provided to families along

a continuum, pre-birth to 18, early intervention to compulsory intervention

Parenting Coordinators Network (Wales)

» Welsh Policy and Guidance

» A group of like-minded individuals joined together to create a forum, it has gone from strength to strength over the 7 years of its life

» Co-ordinated by Children in Wales – a BIG thank you to Children in Wales and Lucy Akhtar for believing in the idea and capturing the vision and to all the members past and present who have influenced its development and contributed their knowledge, skills, experience and time

» Terms of Reference

All Wales Parenting Coordinators Network

AimThe National Parenting Coordinators’ Network is intended as a structured forum for relevant parenting professionals with a strategic role in their local authority area to share and reflect on their experiences and learning in order to develop their practice and to adapt and improve systems, processes and services. The National Parenting Coordinators’ Network is also intended to facilitate links between colleagues in different authorities in order to share resources, good practice and training opportunities.

All Wales Parenting Coordinators Network

MembershipThe National Parenting Coordinators’ Network membership comprises individuals who have the lead for parenting support in their authority and/or have a strategic or coordinating role within their local authority. All members are encouraged to participate by providing a mutually respectful environment for the open exchange of ideas and opinions.

Benefits to Members of the NetworkMembers said it:

» Provides an overarching perspective of parenting across Wales and remaining current on policy, guidance and current issues

» Supports alignment and consistency in parenting service provision» Provides support and friendship, reducing isolation» Enables sharing of resources, time, common approaches, best practice» Provides opportunity for informative discussions e.g. monitoring and

evaluation, programme development, management and delivery» Supports the development of coherent strategies» Drives the development of the National Occupational Standards for Work

with Parents» Provides for sharing of knowledge and experiences between the four

nations and Europe» Supports the identification of viable parenting applications for a multi-lingual

community in both rural and urban settings in Wales, with a ‘Think Family’ approach, and sharing the work across localities

The Way ForwardMembers said:

» Local implementation of ‘Parenting in Wales: Guidance on engagement and support,’ September 2014

» ‘Catch the wave’ of renewed interest» Prioritising what really needs to be achieved, taking into

consideration policy, guidance, capacity and budgets» Professionalising parenting provisions, NOS for Work with Parents

embedded into the delivery of quality services, including job descriptions; goals; performance indicators, training, practice and supervision.

» Exploring and implementing the evidence base for early intervention and prevention

» Understanding diversity across Flying Start – extending skills for gaining rapport, engaging with and mediating children’s learning, well being and socialisation

» Continuing as a ‘Circle of Excellence’ within the Objectives of the Terms of Reference (available from Children in Wales)

The Way Forward‘Continue to work effectively together to ensure the best

in our support for families in Wales.’

Who is your Parenting Network representative?Who are your local partners / key stakeholders ?If you could do one thing, which one thing would contribute the greatest value to yourlocality? service? families? community?What are your networking needs?

Thank you – Please return for 11.25