HAMPSHIRE STRATEGY FOR SUPPORTING PARENTS

1. The importance of supporting parents was highlighted during consultations on the Hampshire Children and Young People's Plan. This is a key element of early intervention and prevention work for vulnerable children. The Executive Lead Member supports the strategic approach to parent development and support .The intention is to give a joined-up approach to the wide - range of activities operated by agencies across the County. A draft strategy report was commissioned and a multi-agency working group established comprising of representatives from voluntary agencies, health partners and staff of the County Council. The draft strategy was subsequently circulated for consultation to relevant stakeholders including headteachers , Chairs of Governors of all Hampshire schools, district councils, health colleagues and voluntary organisations. Responses to the consultation have indicated a very high level of support (94%) for the strategy, and specifically for the role of the Parent Development Team within Children's Services in co-ordinating information about parent support services. Following discussion at the Children's Services Policy Review Committee a final version of the strategy was considered and endorsed by the Executive Lead Member on 23 March 2006.

2. Within Hampshire there is a tradition of supporting parents both through the statutory and voluntary sectors. Empowering parents is the key to good practice. The Hampshire Strategy aims to :

· ensure that there is a range of accessible and well co-ordinated parenting services appropriate to need across the County;


· maximise use of available resources across agencies and communities;


· develop a joint commissioning approach to ensure high quality services for supporting parents;


· provide equity and consistency of service provision across Hampshire;


· make sure that parenting services are properly evaluated against clear aims and objectives so that different kinds of service delivery are most effective to meet the diverse needs of families;


· develop the quality of services delivered consistent with the National Occupational Standards for working with parents.

3. The Strategy includes a number of key areas for action and these will be implemented over the coming months. For example , there is a need to focus on evaluating outcomes for children, not just parental satisfaction. The Strategy is very much welcomed and the Executive Lead Member and County officers have been congratulated for their involvement in its development and on the preparation of the final document. It will facilitate improved partnership working across Hampshire and importantly parents will be included as part of this. A copy of the Hampshire Strategy For Supporting Children endorsed by the Executive Lead Member is available in the Members' Rooms.

4. This Strategy celebrates and supports parenthood and is, therefore consistent with Aims 1, 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy.