Press Release

New Parenting Strategy for Shetland - What do you think?

Shetland Islands Council has been working with representatives from the NHS, Shetland Childcare Partnership, Family Mediation Shetland, and the Bruce Family Centre to produce the Draft Shetland Parenting Strategy.

The strategy will be used to pull together information on all services and support available in Shetland for parents and carers to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

If you are a parent yourself, or have an interest in parenting, please take the time to read through this summary of the strategy and tell us what you think of it.

You can complete the questionnaire online at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P89QFCS

(The deadline for responses is 31 July 2011).

The full version of the draft Shetland Parenting Strategy is available here.

For further information, or a paper copy of the questionnaire please contact Hughina Leslie, Service Manager, Children’s Services on 01595 744 485 or email hughina.leslie@shetland.gov.uk

Summary

Purpose of Strategy

The purpose of this Parenting Strategy is to set out a framework for parenting information, support and services in Shetland. The strategy aims

To provide a range of parenting support services which meet the needs of parents and carers of children of all ages and,
To ensure that parents and carers can readily access these services.

We want to support parents and children in developing their relationships and skills, not just during their children’s childhood but throughout their lives.

The Strategy is based around the idea of a staged intervention approach. This means that there are lower levels of help available for those who need a bit of help and more intensive help available for those who are in greatest need.

Level 1: Universal Services - All parents are entitled to universal services, which include education, health services, housing, and environmental services. These are the services that are first used by parents, who at any stage of their parenting may require some parenting support.

Level 2: Universal Services with an additional need - This is when an additional need has been identified and extra support is put in place, for example, through Parent Network Scotland. The aim here would be to prevent more serious problems developing.

Level 3: Statutory Targeted Services - This level of support includes children and families who need intensive assistance, which will often involve more formal support, e.g. Triple P Parenting programmes.

Level 4: Children at Risk – Statutory Specialist Intervention - Children and Families that have a high level of support needs which may include formal measures such as Supervision Requirements, Triple P Parenting Programmes, and Protection Plans etc

Objectives and key actions

Objective 1: Parents and carers have the information and knowledge they need to make informed, independent and confident decisions about how to bring up their children.

Key actions: Provide and promote a comprehensive Family Information service/directory.

Objective 2: Ensure good quality universal support is developed and delivered where there are recognised gaps in provision.

Key actions: Develop training and support for parents in:

parenting of teenagers
dealing with difficult behaviour
talking to children & young people about sex, sexuality, relationships, drugs & alcohol.

Objective 3: Parents have the skills and confidence to adopt healthy lifestyles and bring up their children in supportive, positive and health-promoting environments.

Key actions: Provide support for future parents and parents in stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet and breastfeeding and sensible use of alcohol.

Objective 4: Specialised, targeted support is available at a local level to meet the needs of families facing additional difficulties.

Key actions: Develop a coordinated programme of parenting support, using existing resources where possible, e.g. staff already trained in Triple P Parenting Programme, Clever Parenting, and Family Mediation.

Objective 5: Services focus on prevention and early intervention to support parents before they reach crisis.

Key actions: Continue to deliver Sexual Health And Relationships Education and provide Sexual Health Clinic.

Provide support in developing play skills of parents.

Develop Parent Link Service, to increase community capacity to support parenting skills.

Support staff in developing their early intervention skills.

Underlying all these actions is the principle that services should be accessible and that there should be no stigma about asking for help.

Thank you for taking the time to read this summary.