Parenting Support consultation

PARENTING SUPPORT CONSULTATION: FEB 28th 2020

Background

A dedicated Parenting Support Policy Unit has been established in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to lead out on cross-government co-ordination of policy direction and activity relating to parenting support. The unit has lead responsibility for the parenting support actions set out in the First 5 strategy (which will cover all parents of children under 18), these include:

• Development of a national Model of Parenting Services
• Development and adoption of quality standards for publicly funded parenting supports
• Consolidating, streamlining and strengthening parenting information resources
• Development of a national information campaign on positive parenting
• Supporting the participation of parents in the development of policies, programmes, and practices that affect them

The unit wished to consult with children and young people to ensure that their views are considered in the development of these actions as the supports provided to parents are ultimately to improve outcomes for children and young people. To date, one consultation has been held: a post-primary consultation with Comhairle members. A second consultation planned with primary school children has had to be postponed, in line with Government regulations to stop the spread of Covid 19.

The findings from the consultations will be assessed to determine whether further consultations or an on-going consultative method is required to ensure that children and young people’s voices are reflected in parenting support policy.

METHODOLOGY: 

A report is currently being written up on the findings from the first consultation. One of the tools used on the day was Body Map. The goal in relation to this was two-fold:

Goal 1: Exploring young people’s perception of parents (roles, responsibilities and expectations)
Goal 2: What do young people seek support from their parents about?

In the afternoon they were asked to ‘Design your own parents programme’ The aim of this was to identify parents’ support and needs and was to include essentials and the challenging /difficult aspects of parenting.

The final report will be available for download from this page upon completion.