Parenting support
Think Family and the support package available to parents in Tameside
The parenting offer in Tameside is growing with some key projects developing to support parenting and families within the Think Family context.
There are key drivers from the government that are greatly influencing this agenda around ‘Think Family’. Tameside, as other Local Authorities, have received some time limited funding to help support the targeted development and delivery of some projects to undertake work with families.
Here is an update and outline of currently what is happening in Tameside and the projects being delivered and how your service can access, signpost or refer to.
What’s out there?
Parenting Early Intervention Project (PEIP)
The PEIP aims to improve parenting skills through increasing the delivery of evidence-based parenting programmes to parents of children and young people (aged 8-13 years old) at risk of negative outcomes. This has been commissioned to Barnardo’s.
Parent Expert
Parenting experts or practitioners directly deliver evidence based parenting programmes to parents of children considered to be at risk on a one to one or group basis. The training they provide must be evidence based and structured and target the parents of children and young people whom local agencies (e.g. schools, Sure Start Children’s Centres, housing, health services, anti-social behaviour teams etc) agree to be at risk or those parents with problems that are known to put their children at risk, for example, parents who are offenders (including those in prison and involved in domestic violence), have mental health problems or with drug and alcohol problems. No age restrictions.
FIP
In Tameside we currently have two services which families can be referred into. These are both led by Action for Children and New Charter – Cornerstone Project. The Cornerstone Project works holistically, engaging the whole family and addressing deeply entrenched problems.
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Anti Social Behaviour Service, this service aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and reduce the risk of homelessness due to anti social-behaviour.
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Youth Crime Prevention Service, this service aims to work preventatively with families of children aged 5-10 years, where there is evidence of concerns that these families/children are displaying early signs of dysfunction, anti-social behaviour or conduct problems.
Parent Support Advisors (PSA) in schools
This is short term funding till March 2011. These are workers based in schools with a role to respond to early indications that children and families within the school they are based could benefit from additional help. They deliver parenting courses, workshops and individual packages of support to assist the family. In Tameside we have seven PSA’s in post.
Universal Parenting Programmes
Of course, all families experience problems from time to time. For some, timely advice from friends and family is all that is needed, for others signposting to a source of help is more beneficial. Evidence supports that where parents have attended a quality parenting course, they experience far fewer behaviour problems. In Tameside a range of services now deliver parenting programmes to support and equip parents to address the challenges that they face in bringing up their children. The key programmes we deliver within Tameside are:
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Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities
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Speakeasy
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Positive Parenting
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Surviving Teenagers
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Webster Stratton / Incredible Years
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Triple P Standard
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Triple P Group Teen
There is further information on these courses on the SID website: www.tameside-sid.org.uk
Families Information Service (FIS) and Service Information Directory (SID)
Offer comprehensive, impartial information and advice on a wide range of issues that affect families including:
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Parenting and family support including the latest parenting courses
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Local leisure activities, clubs and groups
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Education; including support with the admissions process
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Finding and arranging quality childcare or nursery education
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Health and well-being
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Money matters, grants and benefits
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Support if you are thinking of working in childcare, becoming a childminder or setting up a childcare business
FIS staff can arrange an appointment to meet parents at a local Children’s Centre, School or own home.
Website: www.tameside-sid.org.uk - the Service Information Directory (SID) contains a wide range of information on local and national organisations that support families, young people and professionals. You will find details of how to contact and access services as well as the latest parenting courses, leisure activities and events taking place in Tameside
How do I find out?
If you want to find out about any service that offer support and advice for families or if you want to know about location of parenting programmes and availability then contact Families Information Service (FIS) Tel:0161 342 5434.
All course delivery will be available on the Service Information Directory (SID) www.tameside-sid.org.uk
How can I access this/refer families?
If you want to request a PEIP or Parent Expert service then you can access a ‘request for service’ form from the FIS website. Once this is completed, it can be returned to FIS and then signposted to the relevant service, who will then make an assessment and contact the requesting agency. If you are requesting FIP involvement then you can contact the Cornerstones Project directly. Tamesidefip@actionforchildren.org.uk Tel: 0161 331 2402.
If the request is for a universal parenting course then the parent can contact FIS directly or the course facilitator (if known) to book a place. A service may also contact a course facilitator on the parents behalf.
What if my service is facilitating a Parent Course?
There is now a new process in place for informing us about the course you are delivering. If you are facilitating any parenting course, then you will need to complete a course registration form. This is available on the FIS website. Once completed, this needs to be returned to FIS (as stated on the form). The course information will then be uploaded onto the SID website for all to view and access.
The form will need to be completed, even if the course is a closed one – you will need to state this on the form.
For more information on the Think Family offer in Tameside or if would like someone to attend a team meeting to update on the services offered, then contact Lorraine Butler – Parenting Strategy Manager, Tel: 0161 342 3047
Email: lorraine.butler@tameside.gov.uk
