Parenting support

Providing parenting support is another way that schools can help to remove barriers to learning in pupils and benefit the wider community. Many parents say there are times in their lives when they would like more information, advice and support.

Research shows that pupils’ attainment, attitudes, and behaviour are improved in schools that work effectively with parents. Increased parental participation in school life is another benefit which, in turn, is a significant driver in improved outcomes for pupils.

All of the consortium schools provide parents with consultations on their child’s progress and attainment. They also provide information on

Look out for activities that may be happening in your school!

Spring Parenting Courses

St Albans & Harpenden Spring 2011

Parenting Courses and Support - updated version January 2011

Parenting Puzzle

Want more from family life? Kids arguing and driving you mad? Learn new skills, boost your confidence, manage difficult behaviours so you get on better, and meet other parents with 2-10 year olds

Every Wednesday from 19th January 2011 Evenings 7-9 pm with refreshments
At Sopwell & Verulam Children's Centre Mandeville Drive, St Albans AL1 2LE
(runs for 10 weeks including half term, but not on 2nd March 2011)

Download Flyer

Bullying

Free Anti-Bullying Pack For Parents

Parentline Plus, part of the Family Lives Group, is offering parents a series of free family friendly leaflets that help address and tackle the problem of bullying.

Titles include:

• ‘Bullying – Prejudice and Difference’,
• ‘Bullying – Via Internet and Mobile Phones’
• ‘What can I do if my child is being bullied’.

The information contained within Parentline Plus’s anti- bullying packs are designed to strengthen families, improve family communication, increase parental coping skills and build on parental confidence whilst equipping adults with a clearer understanding of bullying and the reasons for it whilst promoting self-confidence and self-esteem.

Jeremy Todd, Parentline Plus Chief Executive said:

“Bullying is a real concern to families and parents of bullied children often find the situation traumatic and difficult to manage. Now that the school year is a few weeks old, the signs of bullying may be beginning to show. Some families may find it difficult to help a child who is being bullied and we believe our anti-bullying pack will empower and equip parents to find individual solutions to their own particular problem. Concerned parents should contact Parentline Plus or visit our “Be Someone to Tell” website if they need support.”

Parents who wish to receive the free pack can email parentsupport@parentlineplus.org.uk or telephone our 24 hour helpline 0808 800 2222 with your postal address.

Additional bullying tips, including: ‘If your child is being bullied’, is a bully, cyber bullying and bullying’, can all be found on the Parentline Plus website www.parentlineplus.org.uk with further support available at www.besomeonetotell.org.uk 

Money Matters

Read more about the St Albans District Credit Union on our Community page.

Special Needs

Coffee Morning

For parents of children with additional needs Please drop in for a coffee and informal chat at St Luke’s School, Crouch Hall Lane, Redbourn AL3 7ET

09.30-11.30 on: Monday 07 March, Monday 09 May, Monday 06 June, Monday 04 July

Download Flyer

Do you have a child with special educational needs or a disability?

A project is underway to develop our special educational provision. The focus is on creating high quality, cost effective services in special and mainstream schools that enable children to have their needs met as locally as possible.

We are carrying out a pre-consultation, to give parents the opportunity to be involved in this project now. If your child has special educational needs or a disability of any level, we would like you to give us your views and tell us what you think should be included in the formal consultation next year.

What would make a difference to you?

You can give us your views by completing an online questionnaire at
www.hertsdirect.org/specialneeds or registering for one of the workshops (see dates on flyer).

Download Flyer

Domestic Abuse Support

A brand new online service has been launched in Hertfordshire to offer information, support and advice in dealing with domestic abuse. Featuring tailored information for victims, concerned family, friends and colleagues, young people, perpetrators and professionals, the site aims to be a ‘one‐stop‐shop’. Check out the site at www.hertssunflower.org

Vulnerable People Bulletin

Parenting Teenagers: i-parent

Parentline Plus in Herts is urging parents with teenagers to develop their parenting skills online with i-parent which is being launched this week.

The online support service for parents with teenagers is available at www.gotateenager.org.uk.

i-parent includes videos, animated comic books and i-parent modules covering topics such as risky behaviour, setting boundaries and improving communication with your teenager.

The online videos available at www.gotateenager.org.uk feature interviews with parenting experts as well as interviews with teenagers themselves and cover topics such as sex, coping with aggressive teenagers and under-age pregnancies.

i-parent will also be introducing a new i-parent module - Teenager in the Family to help parents reduce conflict and tension amongst family members. There are currently five i-parent modules live on the www.gotateenager.org.uk website.

If you are the parent of a teenager and need advice on teenager issues, please visit: www.gotateenager.org.uk, or phone Parentline free, 24 hours a day on 0808 800 2222.

Hertfordshire Schools’ Bullying/Mediation Project - Herts CSF

Parentline Plus and Mediation Herts are working in partnership with Herts CSF in offering a range of services for parents/carers who need additional support/advice where resolution of a bullying case has not been achieved through their direct dealings with their Hertfordshire educational setting.

This innovative project stems from a year-long pilot and is aimed at empowering parents to raise their concerns in a context where the advice and support provided to all parties is independent, aimed at resolving concerns and building more positive relationships between family & school.

A county-wide service, parents can access this support through CSF or by calling Kath Collins on 01707 630107 or Louise Voyceon 01707 630105.

Disabled Parents Network

www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk  DPN aim to support disabled parents whether their disability be physical or sensory impairment, learning difficulties, mental health issues, long term illness, drug or alcohol dependance. There is a helpline and advocacy service and regular newsletter.

Parent Support Workers

The Government wants to make this country the best in the world for children and young people to grow up in. The Department of Children Schools and Families is going to achieve this by putting the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything it does. One of the initiatives recommended is the engagement of Parent Support Workers (PSW’s) to improve contact with parents and children through extended schools.

The emphasis for PSW’s is on helping parents to engage with their children’s learning by offering support and access to information where needed. This will include information sessions around school transition, signposting to services, parenting groups and family learning.

Download Leaflet

Sheila Thorpe, Child & Parent Support Worker (Primary)

• Sheila.thorpe@camp.herts.sch.uk
• 07827 977484

Sheila hopes to become a familiar face having already met lots of children, parents and staff across the consortium. Sheila says:
"since having my own children, and with with middle one being Autistic, I often found myself looking for solutions for a variety of issues. This in turn led me to help others in similar circumstances. This role is an exciting opportunity for extending support and providing information to children, parents and staff. So whether you are interested in exploring parenting issues or gaining a new skill, have a problem or something to celebrate, I am here to help."

Jenni Murray - Young People & Parent Support Worker (Secondary)

• Jenni.murray@camp.herts.sch.uk
• 07827 977485

Jenni provides a support role at the two secondary schools as the Young People and Parent Worker. Jenni is a volunteer mentor for Connexions and previously worked with Nicholas Breakspear in a learning support role. She lives within the Consortium, has children attending local schools and sees this role as an excellent opportunity to work locally and introduce some of the courses and activities we have available for both young people and parents.

The Alban Way Children's Centre

Download contact details for the new Alban Way Children's Centre.

Are you the Parent/Carer of a child with Special Educational Needs?

Do you want help and information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) but don't know who to ask?

The Parent Partnership Team offers local, confidential helplines if you would like to talk about your child's needs. They give impartial information and guidance to Parents, Carers and Professionals. They will do their best to find other relevant statutory and voluntary sevices if you need further support.

Call Helena Marks 1442 217143. Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Term Time only.

Or for more information go to www.hertsdirect.org/parentpartnership.