In depth
Back in 2006, the Department for Education found that around 75 per cent of parents want regular access to information and advice on parenting. When further research followed in 2009, the results were the same, with more than three-quarters of respondents saying they would like more parenting support.
Both the Frank Field and Graham Allen reports gave credence to the idea of universally supporting parents and this has since been at the heart of the department’s "big ambition" to support families.
Parenting classes are currently an optional service offered by some local authorities, children’s centres and voluntary organisations such as 4Children. Most courses run for 12 weeks and follow the curriculum of one of the parenting class models endorsed by the government (Incredible Years, Triple P, Strengthening Families Programme 10-14 and Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities).
Participation in the classes can be through self-referral or from referrals from other agencies and the focus of parenting classes has, up to now, been on complex problems within parenting, with the target of parents or families facing serious issues.
The government’s recent announcement that it would be trialling free parenting classes with the aim of rolling out universal parenting support is a real departure from this.
Classes and online support will cover a broad range of issues such as communication, managing relationships, play and development, and rules and routines, as well as how to manage different parenting styles and create a supportive and nurturing home environment. Critically, these will be aimed at all parents who want to positively engage by learning better practice and improving their skills.
The pilot will be rolled out from summer 2012 in Camden, High Peak in Derbyshire and Middlesborough – areas chosen to reflect a cross-section of locations (urban and rural) as well as a good demographic spread.
Parenting vouchers will have a monetary value of approximately £100 and the aim is to reach about 50,000 parents.
Although the government has already approved the range of parenting programmes above and has contracted 11 organisations to provide online support and advice on parenting, it currently has a number of contracts out to tender to deliver the programmes in the pilot areas.
In Practice: Alyson Nolan, parenting lead, 4Children
In my job, I work with a range of parents, from those dealing with domestic abuse or at risk of homelessness to those who are struggling with their toddler’s behaviour or establishing good bedtime routines.
It is undoubtedly true that some parents need sustained and targeted support because they are dealing with multiple and complex issues. But the truth is that parents from all walks of life struggle.
It will always be important to get support – whether that is through courses or one-to-one work – to parents in really tough circumstances, but in my experience I can see that all parents benefit from advice and support.
For example, I was recently involved in a case where a mum and dad came to me because they were concerned that their parenting styles were at odds. By undergoing some classes that we are delivering through one of our children’s centres, they are now working together much better and this is having a positive impact on their son, who has shown an improvement in his relationship with them and in his behaviour.
It is my hope that more parents will be engaged in classes from when their children are very young and that we can nip many problems in the bud. Helping parents to become confident, and informed, is a priority and the more parents we can reach to get them off to a good start, the better for us all.
Insight: Anne Longfield, chief executive, 4Children
Parenting undoubtedly throws up challenges for mothers and fathers whatever their background and circumstances. Rafts of research tell us that the most important factor in determining children’s outcomes is their parents’ approach and the environment created by parents.
So it is absolutely right that all parents should be able to access parenting courses. It should not be seen as a stigma or an admission of failure to attend parenting classes – it should be a norm, just as attending antenatal classes is in pregnancy.
Our strategic partnership with the Department for Education on the early years has a focus on supporting parents and families at its core. Helping parents to thrive means their children will thrive with them and we know that early intervention is better than "cure". And in this economic climate, we cannot afford to wait until parents are in crisis to offer them guidance.
We hope the 2012 pilot will show that by offering courses to a cross-section of parents, and especially getting fathers actively engaged, a whole range of skills can be developed and parents’ confidence in their abilities rises along with their knowledge of where to go for help and support.
