Family learning and parenting: a multi-agency approach

The work of parent support, parenting and family learning has become central to many professional roles and is key to the work of children's centres and extended services.  Alongside this is the fast-developing multi-agency and integrated team working which requires people from a wide range of professional backgrounds to work together.

This project generates a new model of multi-agency working for parenting and family learning in children's centres.  It ensures professionals from various agencies have the opportunity to explore and develop the model to meet local needs, using a common language and understanding. It enables access for working parents and carers and for those who might feel excluded from other learning provision.

We will work with Brent and City of Westminster councils initially to build on and strengthen multi-agency partnerships through shared training, development and delivery of programmes.  We will:

• Develop and pilot learning materials from the programme 
• Develop and deliver taster workshops and short programmes 
• Evaluate programmes with learners and professionals 
• Promote and disseminate models of good practice from the project with other London boroughs and nationally 
• Ensure the programmes are embedded in the local authorities' strategic approach to work with parents/ carers

Family learning providers
 
Children's Centre staff
 
Parenting professionals
 
Directors of children's services
 
Parents and carers of early years children

Working together with Brent and Westminster councils, we have developed a model of integrating family learning and parenting work in children's centres and extended services.  This is outlined in our publication, Family learning in children's centres and extended services, which includes a scheme of work and session plan for a ten-hour course for parents and carers for children aged two to four years old.

Family learning in children's centres and extended services: a multi-agency approach (2009)

We also produced a best practice guideline for making adult learning accessible for parents and families in children's centres, including checklists for improving practice.

Adult learning and children's centres: making learning accessible for children and families (2009)

We identified the following key elements for a successful multi-agency project:

• Establish clear links with national policy broader strategic developments within the authority 
• Involve senior strategic managers to ensure commitment to the project and the capacity to ensure sustainability 
• Establish a multi agency strategic group which monitors and ensures quality of provision and involves all organisations and services working with parents/carers and families 
• Establish joint planning and training across organisations and departments working with families to increase understanding of the needs of both adults and children as learners 
• Ensure clear communication and effective partnership working arrangements and systems are in place 
• Agree and establish systems for capturing evidence of impact 
• Allocate time and resources to establish and maintain effective multi-agency links

This project has demonstrated the importance of services working together to meet the needs of families.

Nationally, it has contributed to the development of a cross government department BIS led family learning policy group and to the establishment of a model for family learning training as part of the Children's Workforce Parent Support Advisor training.  

Locally, it has given a spring board to Westminster and Brent to develop and embed a strategic approach to working with children's centres and extended services. It has drawn together the different agencies and professionals engaged with families and learning in the boroughs at strategic and operational levels to ensure shared understanding and develop a model of good practice.

Clare Meade
clare.meade@niace.org.uk
+44 (0) 116 204 2851
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE