Proposal 1 - Reducing (1a) or Ending (1b) delivery of one evidence-based Parenting Programme
Service description
Evidence-based parenting programmes have been tested through research and have been shown to work well and have a positive impact.
These programmes are run as individual or group sessions and support parents and carers in raising their children. They provide practical tips, skills and guidance on things like managing behaviour, building positive relationships, supporting learning and looking after the parents’ own wellbeing.
The Council is not required to provide this service via the Healthy Child Programme.
Current services provided
The Healthy Child Programme currently provides one evidence-based parenting programme that is offered to all families across the borough who have children under the age of 5. This is accessed via invitation or self-referral.
The Council’s Early Help Service offers the same evidence-based parenting programme but only if families are receiving support from the Early Help Service. This service will remain.
The Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) also deliver a mixture of evidence based and non-evidenced based programmes.
A non evidence-based programme can be based on good ideas, experience and professional judgement but does not have a strong research base.
Proposed changes to services
1a: Reducing delivery of one evidence-based Parenting Programme
If the evidence-based service provided by the Healthy Child Programme was to be reduced, this would no longer be a service available to everyone. It would only be available for the most vulnerable families, which might include some or all of the following:
those with protected characteristics
those with emotional health or wellbeing concerns
those families on a Child in Need Plan or Child Protection Plan
those from the most deprived areas.
1b: Ending delivery of one evidence-based Parenting Programme
If the evidence-based service provided by the Healthy Child Programme was to end, parents would not be able to access this evidence-based parenting programme.
Only if families are receiving support from the Early Help Service will they be able to access the evidence-based Parenting Programme offered by the Council.
Other evidence-based and non evidence-based parenting programmes are offered by the VCFS sector.