January Activity Blog
Well my third month in post and things are starting to take shape. Many of the things I initiated in my first couple of months are coming to fruition.
I have now planned a tour in each of the 8 districts (click here to find out when I am in your area). I can't wait to meet more parents and hear what they have to say, it is so important that parents views inform the new Parenting Strategy, so if you're a parent reading this please come along and talk to me...have your say!! If you are a professional and work with parents please feel free to come along with parents you work with; but...don't worry if you can't there will be other opportunities and mechanisms by which you can have your say...so look out for the Parenting Strategy consultation questionnaire coming soon.
So what else? Four events for parents of children and young people with disabilities were held this month, as part of the consultation for the 'Aiming High Strategy'. That gave me a real opportunity to get insight into some of the challenges that face parents and I certainly walked away from each event with sheer admiration for the parents I met. I only have two children and juggling the school run is problematic enough for me, so hearing some parent accounts of their life and what they juggle made me realise I have it easy! So thanks to all of you who shared your experiences so openly. I will now be sitting on the Aiming High Project Board and push to ensure that the findings from these consultations are used, acted on and fedback to parents.
This month we have also finalised the Terms of Reference for the new multi-agency Parenting Strategy Steering Group; we are still looking at the membership of the group and am obviously very keen to get the Parent Shadow Board set up - so that parents are equal partners in supporting, writing and monitoring the strategy.
We are well underway with the research that will inform the content of the Parenting Strategy - qualitative and quantitive data has been looked at and further consultation is being planned. A provision mapping survey is also underway and a R.A.G (Red, Amber, and Green) self-assessment on parental engagement has been undertaken. All these bits of information will come together (hopefully by the end of March) to inform the content of the new Parenting Strategy.
I have gained a number of meetings to represent parents. These include the Aiming High Project Board, BSF Consultation meeting and Integrated Service Delivery Group, so I would definitely be interested to hear from parents with news on these matters. Remember parents you can contact me via:
I have also just launched a leaflet called "We're listening to you" which, as well as information about my role, has a tear off, free-post return questionnaire ... look out for them in schools, children's centres and other services.
So another busy month goes by and I look forward to February where I will be concentrating on the re-fresh of the Parenting Strategy and in particular getting parents views about what they see as the priorities for development in the arena of parenting support.
See you next month.
Charlotte
Last Modified:
11/06/2009 11:04:53
Back to top