CYP(3) PAP 16
Children and Young People Committee
Inquiry into Parenting Action Plan
Response From Blaenau Gwent
The implementation of the PAP has been very effective throughout Blaenau Gwent. Professional and voluntary organisations now have guidelines to follow, helping improve the quality of services provided to children and families living in the borough.
The amount of support now available to Parents has increased considerably. There are programmes now available to all parents who have children ranging from 0 - 19 years. Support ranges from one off workshops, such as Dealing with Tantrums, to dealing with more challenging behaviour such as drug and alcohol issues in young people. Blaenau Gwent has successfully adopted the Incredible Years series and accompanying the Parentline Plus model of programmes - 'Parents Together’. Parents receive information about this service provision via outreach, Children’s Information Service, fundays etc. Positive parenting is promoted in programmes, also information, advice and guidance on behaviour management and alternatives to smacking.
During outreach sessions, parent consultation etc. Parents are encouraged to express their views and perspectives n order to shape service provision to meet the needs of individual communities. Blaenau Gwent recently employed a Parent Support Worker, included on the interview panel was a Parent/service user.
Although parenting support has improved, there are still barriers to inclusion and participation evident. Transport to venues remains a challenge due to lack of funding to provide transportation for parents to access parent support/groups. Crèche support to accompany parent group also lacks capacity. There is a lack of bank crèche workers and the parenting project relies heavily on other projects, such as Genesis, to provide crèche. There is also a lack of funding within the Cymorth budget to provide ongoing crèche support.
Literacy skills of Parents also present as a barrier to parents participating in groups. Facilitators are encouraged to offer additional support an innovative ways to support parents who have difficulties i.e. providing visual prompts to accompany written word.
Blaenau Gwent recently engaged 2 partially sighted parents, who attended the Incredible Years programme. The programme materials do not include large print or Braille (an audio CD of the book only is available). This situation proved to be very difficult for the parents. To accommodate the parents’ needs - the programme handouts were re-typed in large print and transport to the venue was provided. Both parents completed the programme and are keen to access further parenting courses/programmes. The Parenting Co-ordinator is now part of the Equalities Forum for the borough, engaging disabled service users, specialist agencies etc. in order to provide parenting programmes to meet the needs of individual families.
The key parenting issues needing to be addressed by WAG:
Provision of bilingual materials to accommodate migrant families’ etc.
Provision of materials, literature etc. for Parents with disabilities. Braille etc. (Especially Incredible Years materials).
ALL School staff to be trained using the Incredible Years programmes, universally promoting positive parenting, raising confidence and self esteem, consistent behaviour management etc.
Provision of a bilingual parent helpline
More ICC’s needed in identified areas of high need. Blaenau Gwent has an excellent provision based in Blaina, although it is extremely difficult for some isolated parents to access due to public transport, money etc.
By providing additional funding to increase Parenting projects, crèche, transport etc. would be provided to support families who are vulnerable and socially isolated, empowering parents and strengthening communities.
Initially Blaenau Gwent provided The Incredible Years programmes as the main support programme for Parents. Parents, who accessed this programme, reported vast improvements in their children’s behaviour, their own parenting skills and improved family life. However, following a mapping of current service provision, it was evident that there were gaps in parenting support. These gaps were parenting of Teenagers and support for parenting in the early years. Following successful implementation in the neighbouring borough, Merthyr, Blaenau Gwent adopted the Parentline Plus 'Parents Together’ programmes. This support s provided alongside the Incredible Years programmes and proves to be a very successful way of engaging parents. Blaenau Gwent is now in a very fortunate position to be able to offer a wide range of parenting support to all parents, implementing groups according to the Parents needs.
