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.

Charlotte Bailey
The Parents' Commissioner

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.

Last Modified: 30/06/2009 11:45:47
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