PARENTS
The family is the child’s primary carer, educator and role model. Of course no two families are the same; but some families may need additional levels of support.
The voluntary sector has long been able to build bridges between home and school; restoring and repairing relationships so that the needs of the child come into focus.
If you are involved in creative responses to work with parents and carers let us know. If you know about resources, publications or other material which can support the work of others do get in touch.
Here are just a few of the latest resources and sources of information to support this work.
NEW - Parenting Across Scotland launch newsletter
Parenting Across Scotland is a partnership of charities which offers support to children and families and in Scotland. A new practice newsletter has links to articles about parenting, as well as recent research. To sign up for their newsletter go
HERE
NEW - Strengthening Family Wellbeing and Community Cohesion through the Role of Schools and Extended Services
A report presenting findings from a literature review which explored what works in the UK in terms of strengthening family wellbeing and community cohesion through schools and extended services. To download the pdf report go HERE
Curriculum for Excellence Parent Toolkit
An online and print resource designed to help practitioners speak to parents with confidence. To read more, go HERE
ParentLine Scotland launches a new email service
ParentLine Scotland will be launching its email service on Tuesday 1 June. The introduction of the service marks the first step in a series of initiatives to communicate with Scottish parents in alternative ways. The move has been made due to an increase in people looking for advice online. For more go HERE
One day we will be reunited: Experience of refugee family reunion in the UK
Conflict, war and persecution force families and loved ones apart. This Scottish Refugee Council report analyses the application process for refugees applying to be reunited with their families under UK immigration rules. It also documents the experiences of refugees in Scotland and professionals across the UK of this process. Get the PDF report HERE
A guide for parents about school attendance
This is a comprehensive booklet for parents and carers which explains legal responsibilities regarding children’s attendance at school. It also explains the responsibilities which schools and local education authorities have in making sure children are happy, safe and doing their best at school. The booklet describes the support a child is entitled to if school attendance is a problem and lists a number of support agencies as well.
Read the pdf HERE
Not the end of the story: Supporting teenage mothers back into education.
This report from Barnardo’s on the barriers experienced by young mothers and what helped them to move forward. Download the PDF document HERE
TAKE 3: Skills and Strategies for Supporting Parents to Deal with Challenging Teenagers
by Rosie Hill
Take3 is a parenting programme now published for the first time after having been developed and used over an eight-year period in Oxfordshire. This training pack with DVD and CD contains material for working with groups of parents of 10-18 year olds, including parents of at-risk of vulnerable young people. The course has two parts; a ten-session basic course plus ten extra sessions which can be used as optional 'add-ons'.
Read about or order this book HERE
Jeannie Mackenzie, convener of the Scottish Network for Parental Involvement in Children’s Learning (SNIPCL), talks about how working with families can support pupils.
Download Portable Document Format (PDF) HERE
Patricia Santelices, a Project Manager at Growing Confidence, talks about promoting emotional well-being for primary pupils, parents and carers and school staff.
Download Portable Document Format (PDF) HERE
Communities in recession: the impact on deprived neighbourhoods
Published Oct 2009 from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, this paper explores what impact the current recession is having on disadvantaged communities and what can be learned from evidence from previous recessions. The authors also suggest how local authorities, community and voluntary organisations can help defend the poorest communities against the recession.
To download go HERE
Published alongside the report Communities in recession: the reality in four neighbourhoods which you can download HERE
Now it is the parents’ turn for training
23 Oct 2009, TES. Classes for parents on raising confident children are to be run in 10 Edinburgh primaries beginning next term. “Raising Children with Confidence” is part of the city council’s Growing Confidence initiative.
For full article go HERE
Why fathers matter to their children’s literacy
Recent research indicates that young people consider their father to be the second biggest influence on their reading following their mother. However, there appears to be a lack of male literacy role models, particularly during a child’s early years, and some research suggests this is a possible cause of declining achievement levels for boys. The benefits of fathers’ involvement in their children’s literacy practices and other areas include greater cognitive skills, higher levels of educational success, participation in a wider range of extra-curricular activities and a greater enjoyment of education.
Download the pdf document HERE
Literacy goes to school
This book gives a clear demonstration of literacy learning that takes place at home, and how it differs from, as well as relates to, literacy at school. It will help teachers to increase their understanding of this process and to build on their relationship with parents. Such understanding, the book shows, can directly enhance children's literacy performance in school.
Take me to more information HERE
Supporting parents in developing early learning
The Early Learning Parenting Project was a 2 year funded project managed by the Family and Parenting Institute with the aim of putting in place family-based educational support as a protective factor in the lives of young children. The project worked through voluntary sector projects to encourage early years learning. Based in England there is interesting learning for all from this evaluation report.
Download the pdf document HERE
The Lone Parent Helpline
This is a free, independent helpline for lone parents and anyone affected by the issues surrounding one parent families. Freephone 0808 801 0323 or go HERE
Nurture classes in Glasgow
Nurture Groups Glasgow City has introduced nurture classes at the beginning of primary schools, which provide intensive social, educational and emotional support to small groups of children, and their families, who may be struggling at home and within the classroom.
For more information go to the Nurture Group Network HERE
Assessments of parenting and parenting support need
A report on research that explores how practitioners 'assess' parenting and parenting support need and how this may be affected by factors such as practitioner and family diversity.
Take me to the report HERE
Fatherhood Institute Research: Fathers' Influence Over Children's Education
Since 1975, an increasingly sophisticated body of research has been charting the pathways through which fathers influence their children’s development. Helping fathers be the ‘best fathers they can be’ is therefore of enormous importance to children. So is helping fathers be as involved as possible in their children’s learning and education. Children, both boys and girls, benefit enormously from this.
Take me to the article HERE
Parental Involvement Act - Making the difference?
A report by Consumer Focus Scotland concludes that parents feel much more involved in their children’s learning since the passing of the Parental Involvement Act in 2006. Based on a telephone survey of 1000 parents from across Scotland in February of this year, the report paints a positive picture of parental involvement.
Take me to the report HERE
Parenting Across Scotland
Parenting Across Scotland is a partnership of adult relationship organisations and children’s charities who work together on issues affecting parents and families. On their website there are a very large number of resources parents can access from topics such as behaviour, childcare, substance abuse, bullying, education and lone parents for example. They also offer a parenting help line at 0808 800 2222.
Take me to the website HERE
International perspectives on parenting support
A study by The Department for Children, Schools and Families looks at parenting support in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
Download the report HERE
National representation for parent councils (April 2009)
The Scottish Government has published a report about national representation for parents and parent councils.
Take me to the report HERE
Children with additional support for learning needs
The rights of children with additional support needs and their parents were strengthened in June 2009 as the Additional Support for Learning Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Act available HERE