Staffordshire's Commissioner for Parents
Introduction to the Role

The Commissioner for Parents is a new role in Staffordshire which the Children's Trust have made a joint commitment to.  The main purpose of the Commissioner is to be the central champion for parents and parenting support.

Parents and the home environment are one of the biggest influences over children and young people - so the more help, advice, support and information they have the more they are informed and equipped to meet their children's needs as they grow from babies to toddlers to school age children, and eventually make the transition into adulthood.

Staffordshire are committed to making sure local parents have an influence over how and what services are delivered for them and that these services are of the highest quality with well trained staff.  The role is high profile and will be key in raising awareness of the views and interests of Staffordshire's parents.

Who is the Commissioner for Parents?

Charlotte Bailey took up post as Commissioner for Parents in November 2008. Charlotte has worked with parents, children and young people for many years across a range of services.  She is a local parent herself and is passionate and dedicated to improving parent support and will be a strong advocate for Staffordshire parents.

What will the Commissioner do?

• Listen to parents' views and understand the range of needs across Staffordshire's
   parents

• To help make sure parents' needs are met and that there are no gaps in service
   provision

• To be a voice for parents at key meetings, influencing decision makers and making
   sure that parent's views are represented

• Make sure there is a plan in place outlining local improvements for parenting support

• Work with all agencies to make sure support to parents is of the best quality it can
   be

• To help professionals work with parents in a co-ordinated way

The Commissioner has recently undertaken a consultation with parents on their views and opinions about services and what they would like to see.  The results of the consultation will inform the priorities of the Children's Trust Parenting Strategy. 

To watch a short film about Charlotte's work and to hear some of the parents' views given during the consultation, click here.

The County Children's Trust are keen to ensure that the voice of parents is regularly sort and used to develop practice.  Four times a year the Children's Trust will be generating 2-3 questions on a specific subject matter that they would like to hear parents views about.

To take part in a questionnaire, see below

 Your View Counts Questionnaire (May) (301kb)

 Your Views Count Questionnaire (May) (142kb)

This report presents the findings of a number of pieces of consultation and research work carried out in Children, Young People and Families Services to gain a deeper insight into the views and opinions of parents and carers.  In particular it covers how parents and carers would prefer to be involved and how they feel services should be delivered.

 Staffordshire Parents Survey Responses (Spring 2010) (440kb)

Please return to
Charlotte Bailey,
Commissioner for Parents,
Connexions Staffordshire,
Foregate House,
70 Foregate Street,
Stafford,
ST16 2PX

 

Last Modified: 02/06/2010 08:51:19
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