Birmingham Schools Tuesday 30 th September

Raising achievement

Professor Charles Desforges “In terms of attainment in school, if a child had a choice between moving from having a bottom quartile parent to having a top quartile parent or moving from a bottom quartile school to a top quartile school, the child should change the parent every time!” (For the full report of the research, see

A rationale for supporting parents in developing their parenting skills Because every child matters Core service for extended schools Family learning Home/school agreement Better support when things go wrong Raising achievement

Evidence base 2003 research by Charles Desforges (Professor of Education at Exeter): Good parenting in the home can make more than a 10% difference in children’s academic achievement in school - even after all other factors (such as social class) have been taken out of the equation

UK charity serving the statutory and voluntary sectors Head office now in Birmingham Over 30 years’ experience in the field Have been running parenting workshops and courses in schools for 20 years About Positive Parenting

Our distinctives Accessible Visual Flexible Realistic

Our values Parent-to-parent Preventative Universal Relationship-based Parent/child relationship is the key to outcomes for children Respect for each individual One-size doesn’t fit all!

What we offer schools Parenting workshops Longer parenting courses Parents’ handbooks Training for school staff

PARENTING WORKSHOPS

Taster workshops A single-session lasting 1 ½ - 2 hours, ideally run at times of transition. Pre-school(18m – 3 yrs) InfantKS1 JuniorKS2 Pre-teen/teenKS3

Workshop content Age-specific information (developmental stages) Ways to boost the parent/child relationship Strategies for behaviour management Questions and other sources of help

Evaluation findings on workshops 98% parents found the session helpful 94% would recommend the session to a friend 62% of parents attending were interested in going on a longer course

Training to run workshops Over 300 staff from 150+ schools were trained to run a parenting taster workshop in their schools in 2006 Bristol London Oxford Wolverhampton Coventry Nottingham Winchester Leeds Newcastle Peterborough Southampton

Feedback from school staff “Thank you for creating this excellent resource and for introducing Positive Parenting into the school system.” “I have been to quite a few courses, this has excelled all my expectations. Hopefully we can do the course justice and raise achievement.” “I’ve been on many courses but they are usually very theoretical. This was full of practical tips and resources.” “The best inset day I’ve ever attended!”

PARENTING COURSES

Parenting Courses Time Out for Parents For parents of children (aged 0-9) 5 sessions + 3 optional sessions Time Out for Juniors For parents of juniors (aged 7-11) 8 sessions Time Out for Teenagers For parents of teens/preteens (aged 9-16) 6 sessions + 2 optional sessions

Special Needs Courses Time Out for Special Needs (7 sessions) Time Out from Anger (4 sessions) Time Out from ADHD (2 sessions) Time Out from ASD (3 sessions) Time Out for Dads (4 +1 sessions)

Training to run courses 4-day facilitator training in line with National Occupational Standards NOS 319 Work with Groups of Parents OCN accredited (6 credits at level 3) In-house training Key Stage transition workshops Awareness days

PARENTS’ HANDBOOKS

Parents’ Handbooks (£5.95) Time Out for Parents (0-9) Time Out for Juniors (7-11) Time Out for Teenagers (9-16) Time Out for Special Needs Time Out from Anger Time Out from ADHD Time Out from ASD Time Out for Special Parents (Behaviour Management)

Parents’ Handbooks Time Out for Parents (0-9) Time Out for Juniors (7-11) Time Out for Teenagers (9-16) Keep them in the corner!

Environmental factors

Parenting style Parenting style is the way in which parents relate to their child Parents’ behaviour affects children’s behaviour Having an appropriate parenting style has been shown to be a key factor in outcomes for children and young people

Research “Children tend to do better in families where parents use an assertive parenting style. This means both warm and structured.” Cowan & Cowan 1992; Marsiglio et al 2000

Aggressive/ Authoritarian parenting Do as you’re told and don’t argue!

Passive/ Permissive parenting Do what you want!

If we don’t put in boundaries, someone else will…

Assertive parenting Freedom within limits

Assertive parenting Warm and affectionate Empathetic and respectful Recognises good behaviour and attitudes Clear expectations on behaviour Negotiates boundaries Models saying sorry Consistent Child can talk to you about anything

Key message and

Questions? How do you engage the hard-to-reach parents? Find a member of staff who will build up a good working relationship Be prepared to be flexible in your approach and what you can offer Run your parenting course in partnership with your local community and agencies

Positive Parenting Court Oak Rd, Birmingham, B17 9AA