Children’s Services Directorate
PARENTING SUPPORT
STRATEGY AND
ACTION PLAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks go to the following people who were involved in the consultation and
preparation of this document. Their contribution ensured that a wide range of
views supported the final document produced.
Patrick Boyle, Children’s Services Manager
Jonathan Brown, Senior Adviser Early Years and Schools
Jan Casson, Children’s Centre Locality Manager (North)
Jackie McCormick Centre Locality Manager (West)
Lynne Maughan, Think Family Coordinator/Parenting Commissioner
Carol Leckie, Health and Wellbeing Adviser
Amanda Hartley, Children's Centre Improvement Partner
Jenny Campbell, Short Break Care Co-ordinator, Aiming High for Disabled
Children
Janet Leigh, Health Visitor Professional and Management Lead
Jean Hedley, Children’s Centre Locality Manager (Blyth Valley)
Gillian Physick, Children’s Centre Locality Manager (Central)
John Kirton, Targeted Services Manager and Principal Educational
Linden Smith, Administrative Support
Thanks also go to the Directors Wider Group Meeting who devoted the day to
the Parenting Support Strategy on the 8th December 2011.
2
Preface
I am delighted to introduce Northumberland’s multi-agency Parenting Support
Strategy and Action Plan. This document had been produced by a multi-agency
group and time was devoted to assist in the development of the strategy at the
Directors Wider Group Children’s meeting in December 2011.
The document clearly evidences a strong commitment to multi agency working in
Northumberland which has always been reflected in various Ofsted inspection
reports. This multi-agency approach is going to be extremely important in ensuring
that partner agencies work collaboratively with parents and carers to meet the ever
changing needs of parenting children and young people in Northumberland.
Graham Allen MP states: "The quality of a child's relationships and learning
experiences in the family has more influence on achievement than innate ability,
material circumstances or the quality of pre-school and school provision".
This is a view shared in Northumberland and is reflected in the ongoing development
of the Parenting Support Strategy and Action Plan.
This Parenting Support Strategy and Action Plan links with our Children and Young
People’s Plan 2011-2014, Prevention, Poverty and the Participation Strategies.
The Children and Young People’s Plan set out our ambitions for our children and
young people in Northumberland. We are determined that each and every one of
them will have the opportunity to realise their full potential.
Our plan identifies clear priorities for improving outcomes for the 67,000 children and
young people living in Northumberland. This builds from all of our considerable
achievements of the last few years.
Our Vision and Priorities
‘Our Vision is for every girl and boy in Northumberland, with a special focus on those
who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, to grow up as healthy, safe, confident citizens
who contribute positively to the lives of those around them’.
To deliver our vision, the Children and Young People’s Plan has identified five
outcomes that we aim to achieve.
More people in work – fewer families living in poverty
All children and young people living in safe and secure environments
Improving educational achievement for all
Improving health outcomes
5. Resilient communities where citizens are empowered to lead
1.
2.
3.
4.
I would like to personally thank all partners who were involved in developing
this important document and I look forward to hearing about the success of
the implementation of the Parenting Support Strategy and Action Plan.
Regards,
Paul Moffat
Corporate Director of Children’s Services
3
NORTHUMBERLAND PARENTING SUPPORT STRATEGY
How does this document support delivery of our
Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-2014?
Supporting the CYPP Vision
The principles of early intervention and prevention are a key element of local
policy and practice supporting delivery of the Children and Young People’s
Plan in Northumberland. Early intervention and prevention are also the
primary focus of the Northumberland Commissioning Strategy for children and
young people.
The central aim of the Parenting Support Strategy is to offer a framework
which recognises the need for good quality, accessible parenting support from
a wide range of partner agencies.
The clear message for all colleagues working with children and families is that
parenting is everyone’s business – and not the responsibility of one agency,
one policy or one strategy document.
Supporting the CYPP Outcomes
 More people in work, fewer in poverty
 All children & young people living in safe & secure environments
 Improving educational achievement for all
 Improving health outcomes
 Resilient communities, where citizens are empowered to lead
Links to the CYPP Priorities






Early intervention for additional needs
Tackling child poverty
Closing the gap
More care leavers in EET
Reduce risk-taking behaviour
Support staff to build resilient communities
Links to Other Plans
 Children and Young People Plan
 Prevention Strategy
 Poverty Strategy
 Commissioning Strategy
 Workforce Development Strategy
 Participation Strategy
 Equalities Analysis
 JSNA Executive Summary
 Early Years and Schools Service Plan
 LAC & Safeguarding Service Plan
 Employability and Skills Service Plan
 Public Health Service Plan
4
Terms of Reference
This document reflects Northumberland County Council Children’s Services
multi-agency approach and aligns with the emerging priorities of the Health
and Wellbeing Board. The strategy recognises the need for good quality,
accessible parenting support from a wide range of partner agencies.
The Parenting Support Strategy and Action Plan support this vision by
ensuring that all partners are working together to provide parents and carers
the information, advice and support they need. This will ensure everyone is
informed and are in a position to respond appropriately to the individual and
social needs of children and young people. This document provides a
framework for the provision of this support and guidance and how this can be
accessed.
In light of national Government’s focus on the identification and support for
those families with complex needs it is envisaged that this document will
provide partners agencies with an understanding of the high priority given to
parenting support within Northumberland.
The clear message for all colleagues working with children and families
is that parenting is everyone’s business – and not the responsibility of
one agency, one policy or one strategy document.
Definitions used in this document

‘parent’ means the person who is caring for a child and who has legal
responsibility for the child’s welfare and development. This may mean
the mother, father, step-parent, grandparent, foster parent, corporate
parent or parent-to-be. For the remainder of this document the word
parent will be used to cover all of these individuals or groups.

‘parenting’ means the tasks, relationships and behaviours between a
parent or carer and their child, which constitute a core element of the
social and emotional environment.

‘families’ includes a wide variety of arrangements through which
caring relationships are sustained, for example, one-parent families
and step-families.

‘parenting support’ is defined as any activity or service aimed at
providing information, advice and support to parents.
Northumberland’s vision for supporting parents
We acknowledge that parents ultimately have responsibility to parent their
children. However, this strategy recognises that at any given point in time
parents may benefit from additional support and that this may be required
either by law or request.
Northumberland’s Parenting Support Strategy
5









Sees parenting support (of all sorts, covering the full age range) as an
‘everyday’ activity, meeting practical needs and recognising the skills,
experience and ideas parents already have.
Aims to provide services which meet the needs of families and which
are committed to promoting the importance of parent’s role in their
children’s lives.
Listens to the parents and families and members of the community and
consult with them in developing and shaping services.
Is accessible, relevant, and timely and uses current resources wisely.
Seeks to develop a skilled, knowledgeable and aligned workforce
committed to the underlying principles.
Strives to deliver high quality parenting support services, with easy
referral pathways so that everyone in Northumberland will know how
and where to access the support they need.
Will address local and individual needs and meet the diverse needs of
Northumberland, including its urban and rural areas. This includes
meeting the equality and diversity needs of Northumberland.
Promotes the role of schools and wider the community in supporting
parents, through early intervention.
Understands that through the delivery of parenting support we will
encourage the development of resilient adults.
Underpinning Principles
The parenting support strategy focuses on support interventions that
specifically aim to help parents to improve outcomes for their children more
effectively and is based on the following principles:










That being a parent is an important and rewarding role and parents
need information, advice and support at different developmental stages
in their child’s life.
That parents know their children better than anyone else and need to
be involved fully in planning for their needs.
That seeking information, advice or support for parenting is regarded
as strength and a sign of positive parenting. Needing support should be
recognised as normal and not as a failure.
That parents and the wider community will be involved in planning,
delivery and evaluation of parent support services.
That families should be encouraged and supported to live a healthy
lifestyle.
That families are all different and services need to be flexible,
respectful and inclusive, tailored to meet the needs of all including
those from different cultures and backgrounds.
That the support provided ensures the best use of Local Authority
resources.
That supporting parents is everyone’s business.
That services that support parents, provide information and
opportunities will be represented as a continuum and this will be
accessible to all parents and professionals.
That, as far as possible, services are delivered, on a locality basis,
unless centrally based services are required.
6

That the provision offered will support parents to make their own,
informed choices.
 That services will be evaluated through methods that are relevant to
each individual agency and each agency will be responsible for an
appropriate level of supervision for staff.
Northumberland in Context
Northumberland’s Parenting Support Strategy has been written in conjunction
with the development of the Local Authority’s Children and Young People’s
Plan and its Prevention strategy, both of which were developed based on the
data, intelligence and evidence collated in the Joint Strategic Needs
Assessment (2011). This information helps to establish the context in which
the Parenting Support Strategy and Action Plan will be delivered.
















Northumberland is the 6th largest county in England, but has one of the
smallest populations (just over 300,000).
One fifth (just over 60,000) of the population is aged below 18.
Served by 15 school partnerships plus 4 academies, 8 social care
teams, 20 Children Centres.
Receive around 4,000 referrals to Children’s Services a year.
There are 28 children with CP plans per 10k, 44 looked after children
per 10k.
Bordered by Scottish Border (North), North Sea (East), Tyneside
(South), Cheviots / Pennines (West).
Has exceptional environmental assets such as Northumberland
National Park, North Pennines, plus coastal areas of outstanding
natural beauty.
Just under half the population live in 3% of the county (South East).
99% of population are White with small number of Mixed, Asian, Black
and Chinese families. A higher number of the BME population are
under 18.
Around 72,000 of the population live in the 25% most deprived areas in
the country.
Around 21,000 of the population live in the 10% most deprived areas in
the country (31% in Wansbeck live in 10% most deprived).
18% of children under 16 live in low income households (NE average
28%, national average 21%).
34% of children under 5 live in households where the adults are
dependant on benefits. (Overall Wansbeck figure is 35%). This is 68%
in Seaton Ward, Ashington and 63% in Newbiggin East.
Children and young people are more than twice as likely to become
LAC from the areas named above.
76% of the children who have come into care since 2008 lived in an
area where the proportion of children dependant on workless benefits
was above the national average.
46% of the children who have come into care since 2008 lived in an
area were the proportion of children dependant on workless benefits
was above 33%.
7
What are we doing in Northumberland?
Northumberland is a large and diverse community and the complexity of the
delivery of parenting support reflects this. All parents in Northumberland have
an entitlement to a range of information, support and advice throughout their
child’s life journey from pre-birth to 19+ years. This entitlement will be
delivered through a parenting offer, available to all parents throughout their
child’s life. The Family Information Service will be central is sharing
information.
Local providers of parenting support are encouraged to form partnerships to
ensure that the provision of parenting is coordinated and makes best use of
resources to meet local needs.
In line with the delivery of other services to children and families the parenting
offer is structured into levels of need:
Universal parenting services - providing general information, advice and
support for all parents
This would include schools, GPs, Health Visitors, Sure Start Children’s
Centres, Family Information Service, School Health Advisors and midwifery
services for expectant parents, the voluntary and community sector and peer
support.
Targeted/Preventative parenting services - available to parents who are
beginning to experience some difficulties
This would include all of the universal services in addition to: LISTs (Locality
Inclusion Support Teams), Targeted Adolescent Services (TAS), Voluntary
and Community agencies, Disabled Children’s Team, Portage, EOTAS and
Primary Mental Health Workers. These services would consider the need for a
Common Assessment Framework (CAF) to ensure that the planning for the
child and family assesses the needs clearly and cohesively.
Specialist parenting services - available to parents who are experiencing
considerable difficulties
This would include the above services in addition to children’s social care
locality teams, the Youth Offending Team, and CAMHS, Family Recovery
Team, voluntary and community agencies.
8
9
Parenting Support and the Children & Families Workforce
Northumberland is striving to ensure that the entire children’s workforce
understands the parenting support they deliver and how that fits into the wider
parenting offer, and how to access the support on behalf of parents.
In promoting positive parenting the workforce will be committed to responding
to the diverse nature of parents and families in the community, taking into
account sex, race, ethnicity and culture, transgender and sexual orientation.
In addition the workforce will aim to maximise engagement with hard to reach
families.
Action Plan aims
The Action Plan provides a multi-agency framework to provide the range of
support offered to meet the diverse needs of all families, within the national
and local contexts and the general direction of the work and roles and
relationships of all key partners.
The Action Plan sets out how Northumberland will implement and monitor the
delivery of the strategy.
10
Action Plan to Implement the Parenting Support Strategy
Priorities
1. Set up a county
wide multi-agency
Parenting Support
Strategy Group.
Actions
Resource
Timescale
To share and agree on the implementation of a
multi-agency Parenting Support Action Plan and the
lines of accountability within current established
structures, including links with the emerging Health
and Wellbeing board.
Existing
Initial meeting
by end March
2012 then
quarterly
meetings.
Existing
SE Group to
be
established
by April 2012.
Establish Terms of Reference, chair and group
membership.
Identify from this group Parenting Champions, at
least 1 for each locality who will feed into the wider
strategy. It is expected these champions will be
identified from either Sure Start Children’s Centres
or LISTs (to be agreed).
Lead
Responsibility
Designated
leads for
parenting within
key services
(Children’s
Services, EY
and Schools,
targeted
services,
Children’s
Centres, Health
and chaired by
agreed
representative
for CLT).
Success Criteria
Named
Parenting
Champion for
each locality
and
membership to
be confirmed
Agencies
supporting parents
in localities are
engaged with
countywide
delivery and
communication
Multi Agency
group established
to monitor action
plan and report to
CLT/FACT/ H and
WB Board at
agreed intervals.
Review of sub/steering groups to develop a more
effective model through which all aspects of
parenting can be addressed and discussed,
ensuring clear and measurable links with other key
strategic plans (e.g. CYPP, Prevention Strategy,
Participation Strategy, Poverty Strategy).
The group will meet on a quarterly basis.
2. Set up a locality
based multiagency locality
Parenting Support
Strategy Group in
South East
Northumberland
To share resources, skills and good practice to
ensure a cohesive approach is in place to meet local
needs. In addition to this, to promote the use of
supervision as good practice for all workers
engaged with parents.
The groups will meet on a quarterly basis, to meet
West, North
and South
11
and maintain the
groups operating
in the west and
north.
the needs of those professionals involved in each
locality.
East groups
to meet
quarterly.
Update the list of those trained from the various
partner agencies that will contribute the Parenting
Support Strategy and develop an appropriate
communication tool to share this information with
colleagues and parents.
Develop a tool to review this directory, ensuring
information is current and relevant and that
information is shared centrally.
3. Develop
appropriate
resources to
ensure all staff &
parents have a
clear
understanding of
the Parenting
Support on offer
and how this can
be accessed.
Update a parenting booklet, leaflet and posters
explaining the parenting offer and the ‘continuum’ of
support which is accessible to all parents.
Raise awareness via staff team meetings across all
service levels, such as websites, school welcome
packs & posters.
Promote the Parenting Support Strategy with
professionals and parents.
Existing (link
with FIS).
Resources to
be produced
by June
2012.
4. Support the
Voluntary Sector
in developing a
strong basis for
the delivery of
Parenting
Support,
encouraging the
use of social
enterprise, and
Ensure representation of the voluntary and
community sector on the multi agency Parenting
Support Strategy group.
Existing.
Key VCS
partners
identified and
invited to
Parenting
Support
Strategy
Group by
March 2012.
Develop appropriate communication routes to share
relevant information with colleagues across the
VCS.
and agreed at
locality level to
meet local
needs.
Chair of the
Parenting
Support
Strategy Group
and named
Dissemination parenting
to colleagues champion for
and parents
each locality.
by August
2012.
Chair of the
Parenting
Support
Strategy Group
and named
parenting
champion for
each locality.
established to
ensure effective
delivery of
support.
Professionals and
parents across
Northumberland
have easy access
to clear sources of
information
outlining the Local
Authority’s
approach to
parenting support.
Improved
engagement with
all parents.
Strengthened
engagement with
VCS colleagues,
mirroring shared
model of delivery
as described in
the Children and
Young People’s
plan.
12
community
solutions.
5. Continue to
develop a
workforce who is
skilled and
knowledgeable.
All agencies encouraged to ensure that workers
have access to adequate support and training
around the delivery of parenting support in each
locality.
Existing.
Ongoing.
Existing.
Initial
consultation
July 2012 and
after this
ongoing.
Each locality steering group maintains an up to date
directory of all parenting training accessed by those
supporting the Parenting Support Strategy and this
is accessible.
6.
Develop a model
of meaningful
consultation with
a wide range of
parent support
groups/ forums.
Consult with representatives from a wide range of
parent groups/ forums to develop a meaningful
model of consultation.
Ensure the views of parents are heard at locality
groups and information fed into the LA Parenting
Support Strategy Group.
Chair of the
Parenting
Support
Strategy Group
and named
Parenting
Champion for
each locality
and identified
workforce
development
lead.
Chair of the
Parenting
Support
Strategy Group
and named
parenting
champion for
each locality.
Appropriate links
to ongoing
workforce
development are
recognised and
CPD for those
staff delivering
parenting support
is identified as a
priority through
the appraisal
process.
Improved
engagement and
involvement of
parents in service
monitoring and
development.
13
Appendix 1
National Context

Every Child Matters (2003)

The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity
Services (2004)

Respect Action Plan (January 2006)

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Parenting Support – Guidance for Local Authorities in England
(Oct 2006)

Every Parent Matters (March 2007)

The Development of Sure Start Children’s Centres and Extended Schools

The Common Assessment Framework

The Comprehensive Spending Review 2008-2011 (CSR)

Think Family: Improving the Life Chances of Families at Risk (2008)

Healthy Child Programme from 0-5 years

Healthy Child Programme from 5-19

Health Visitor Implementation Plan.
14