Evidence gathered for a new guide finds that there is “strong evidence” that participating in evidence-based parenting support programmes can strengthen relationships between parents and children aged three and under, boost parenting skills and improve a child’s behaviour in the short and long term.
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The Parenting Through Adversity guide, produced by children’s social care what works centre Foundations and commissioned by the Department for Education, also finds that there is “promising evidence” that attending evidence-based parenting interventions helps reduce the risk of more serious harm and abuse to children experiencing vulnerabilities.
Foundations hopes the guide will provide advice and guidance to local leaders in health and children’s social care about how evidence-based parenting support can help to transform the lives of families facing adversity.
The guide draws on two comprehensive reviews, conducted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation and by Foundations, as well as insights from parents and practitioners. It addresses the challenges some families face, such as parental stress and weakened parenting skills, which increase the risks facing children.
One the strength of the findings the authors recommend evidence-based parenting interventions be made more widely available to families with children at risk such as those on the edge of care or receiving family help.
Donna Molloy, deputy chief executive at Foundations, said the guide represents a “breakthrough” in understanding the effectiveness of parenting support for families facing adversity.
“For the first time, we have robust evidence that parenting support can help to reduce serious harm to children experiencing vulnerabilities, improve children’s behaviour, and reduce parental stress,” she said.
“As councils struggle with the costs of children’s social care, our evidence shows that proven models of parenting support can help to keep children safe with their families, improve their outcomes and alleviate pressure on an already overstretched system.
“The case for prioritising proven parenting interventions has never been stronger.”
Matt Buttery, chief executive of Triple P UK parenting intervention, said: “Foundations’ latest practice guide showcases how vital evidence-based parenting interventions are for helping parents overcome adversity and reduce child behavioural issues. It is essential that the government commits to investing in evidence-based parenting programs. Not only will this ensure all parents across the UK have access to effective support, but parenting programs such as Triple P have been proven to provide substantial return on investment and are a cost- effective way for the government and local leaders to transform young lives.”
The guide authors also urge local leaders to reassure practitioners that parenting support for those with mental health needs can begin without waiting for specialist mental health treatment and still improve child and parenting outcomes.
