PINS Theme: 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 - PINS members are invited to engage with parents so that they can take part in the current consultation on the National Parenting Strategy.
The Strategy will recognise that parents and families are a child’s first educators and are the most important influence on a child’s life, especially in the early years. It will address how parents and families can access the right support at the right time to enable them to do their best for their children. The Scottish Government team have developed a brief and supporting information to help you facilitate a session with parents. The downloadable pdf brief for facilitators is HERE
You can contact Clare Collin 0131 244 7608 or Clare.Collin@scotland.gsi.gov.uk at the Scottish Government with any questions. Having read the brief, if your agency would like support to facilitate parent’s involvement you can ask The Positive Behaviour Team to help: contact Maggie.Fallon@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
What is the law in relation to parental rights and responsibilities?
An information leaflet from cl@n childlaw. More HERE
Violence against Women Fund and Children's Services Fund
The VAW Fund will assist in the development of measures to tackle all forms of violence against women and funding for Children Services will be used for direct support to children and young people experiencing domestic abuse in refuge, following on from children leaving refuge and in outreach settings. More HERE
Short breaks fund for disabled children and their families
The Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson has announced the launch of a £2m short breaks fund for disabled children and their families. Part of the fund will go directly to children and families through the Take a Break scheme, and the rest will be available to organisations who provide short breaks through Shared Care Scotland.
For more on Take a Break go HERE
For more on Shared Care Scotland go HERE
Recognition for achievements of young parents
Personal achievements of 16 young parents aged 16-24 from Clackmannanshire have been recognised at a ceremony hosted by Clackmannanshire Council. The project also helps them prepare for employment, education or training when the time is right for them. Read more HERE
Pre-Birth to Three - Information for parents and carers
Education Scotland has published a leaflet and video clips to support practitioners, parents and carers in developing a shared understanding of the importance of children’s rights, and relationships which reflect care and respect. More HERE
Supporting parents to be all they can be event report
The event provided participants with the opportunity to hear about the latest findings on parenting and to share their experiences with others. Download the pdf HERE
New Parent Council info for parents
Two new documents, in relation to the role of parent councils are available. ‘Parents as Partners: The purpose and role of parent councils’ and ‘Parents as Partners: Information for parent council members’. More HERE
Parents of children with disabilities record experiences
A number of families are taking part in a diary project recording their views and experiences. The project has been running for a year and a report has now been published. You can sign up to be kept up to date with installments. More HERE
‘We thought they didn’t see’
A report on the work of the Cedar programme in Scotland for children and mothers experiencing domestic abuse. Download the PDF HERE
Parent information project - your help wanted in consulting with parents of young children
Where do parents find out what they need to know concerning health care for their young children? How are their information support needs met, or not met? Who do parents turn to, or consult, when they need information about their children’s health? Research for NHS Health Scotland will help answer these questions using focus groups and interviews with parents of young children to develop insights. More HERE
“Alcohol’s harm to others” conference report
The report includes the presentations from Professor Robin Room and others and makes 10 recommendations to help protect children, young people and families from alcohol harm. More HERE
Parenting Across Scotland
PAS provides information and support for families. Resources for practitioners working with families are provided, from structured courses to skill sharing programmes and new publications. Go HERE
Picking up the pieces after domestic violence: A practical resource for supporting parenting skills
Kate Iwi and Chris Newman - Domestic violence has a serious impact on children and families. This practical guide provides techniques and exercises to help practitioners work in a structured and focused way with parents after domestic violence has occurred. Go HERE
A Pathway of Care for Vulnerable Families (0-3)
New guidance supports the development of a programme of work to support vulnerable children and families from conception to age 3 as part of the implementation of the Early Years Framework. Go HERE
Young Parents Speak Out DVD
This resource shows young parents from Tayside talking about their experiences as young parents. Includes views on ante-natal classes, breastfeeding, their experiences when pregnant and how they got on with the healthcare professionals. A resource for work with young people and for staff development. Go HERE
Pre-Birth to Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland's Children and Families
This is the new national guidance for all early years staff in Scotland. As well as the key document other resources and publications – print and video – are available. Go HERE
The parents’ guide to additional support for learning
This parents’ guide from Enquire is a handy document to refer to as a child moves through the different stages of education. It explains, in simple language, parents’ and pupils’ rights, the roles and responsibilities of staff involved in children’s education, what to expect at meetings and much more. Enquire helpline also on 0845 123 2303. Download the pdf HERE
The influence of family and friends on young people’s drinking
This round-up from the JRF examines family and friendship influences on young people's drinking habits, in order to shed light on how the negative aspects of young people's drinking culture in the UK might be changed. Read more HERE
Alcohol consumption and family life
This study examined how parents teach young children (aged 5 to 12) about alcohol. Read more HERE
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 has launched its email service. 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
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
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
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
