Parent Participation

References Welsh Assembly Government (2006) “Practice Guide for Children and Young People’s Partnerships”, DELLS Information Document No: , September 2006 Family Policy Alliance (2005) “Parent Participation: Improving Services for Children and Families”, Parentline Plus

Framework Definition: anyone who plays a significant role in bringing up a child WAG adopted UNCRC – 7 core aims UNCRC - Parents have primary responsibility; Family given necessary assistance and support Policy drivers: Making the Connections, Children and Young People’s NSF, Parenting Action Plan

Improve the quality of life of children and their families Parents are biggest single influence on children Can identify local issues, facilities Services will may be more relevant, responsive and better used Increased trust in services Parents may become volunteers, peer educators, mentors Why Parent Participation?

A model for Parent Participation Wilcox – 5 levels of participation Information – telling parents what is planned Consultation - offering options Deciding together – encouraging new options Acting together – deciding together on best option Supporting independent action – support to develop own agenda

Understanding the Barriers - Parents Demands on time Feel alienated from a service May not use any service so are “out of the loop” Wary of meetings/form filling – literacy, jargon, gender issues, trust Practical issues – transport, access May not feel contribution valued Need support to contribute

Understanding the Barriers Professionals Demands on time Previous unsuccessful efforts Constant need to engage Geographical spread of families Training/experience Fear of parents’ ‘wish-lists’

Information Information about local services; about children’s needs and parenting and about planned developments Systems that ensure information reaches as many parents as possible Take into account the different ways people are able to access it Parents can help produce user- friendly information Variety of ways of sharing information

Consultation What can parents influence? – consultation or deciding together? Use a range of methods of consulting Make sure minority groups have their views taken into account Provide feedback to parents

Methods Leaflets, newsletters, displays – go to where people are; include a leaflet in the local paper; ask the paper to write an article and invite comments Surveys, meetings – door to door; set up focus groups; questionnaire with freepost reply envelope Working groups/forums – set up user forums; hold workshops/events Consider venue – “Ensuring Inclusion” (good practice checklist) List of methods, including advantages and

Questionnaires Consider getting expert help to design questionnaire Make sure questions are easy to understand Avoid leading questions/phrase in neutral terms Pilot the question design Have some open questions Accessibility Covering letter Consider anonymity Consider language (

Make meetings work for parents Ensure meetings held at convenient times Preparation Help parents contribute Keep paperwork short and simple “The minutes were like double Dutch to me – it was all jargon and abbreviations” Ensure parents have a chance to speak, but without putting them on the spot

Equality and Diversity Fathers and male carers – activity rather than discussion; explicit in wanting involvement of fathers; male friendly images and language Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) parents – outreach, BME projects or groups, consider language and culture issues Parents of disabled children – Contact a Family, Council for Disabled Children (2004) “Parent Participation, improving services for disabled children”

Further Information Lucy Akhtar, Development Officer for Parenting Tony Ivens, Fatherhood Development Officer, Children in Wales, Tel: