Working with Parents

We are currently only able to offer this course under a Hertfordshire funded scheme and through a CWDC scheme for Childrens Centre Outreach Workers. However we are planning to offer it more widely in future, so contact us for details.

An accredited national training programme for work with parents

This City and Guilds accredited course is designed to enable practitioners to work effectively with parents both individually and in groups. It is based on Parenting UK’ s Core Curriculum and National Occupational Standard for Work with Parents and is endorsed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Course Aims

The overall aims of the course are to:

Provide essential skills and knowledge for those who work with parents/families in a paid or voluntary capacity
Raise awareness about the development needs of both parents and children
Develop understanding about the relationships between parents and children

Who is the Course for?

Learners on the programme will already be working in either a formal or informal capacity with parents. They could be working in a variety of multi-agency professions or within the community.

What does the Course cover?

The programme covers both knowledge and skills, and will enable learners to meet the knowledge and understanding required to meet the National Occupational Standards for Work with Parents, developed by the Lifelong Learning Sector Skills Council with leadership from Parenting UK.

The knowledge and understanding element covers the role of parents/carers, role of the practitioner, life-span development, the developing parent and the developing child/young person. The practical skills content covers working with parents, supporting parents and group work skills.

In the study of all units, the learners will be expected to refer to the following issues:

The variety of family structures that exist in our society, including the recognition that patterns may be different in particular contexts and in other parts of the world.
The social, cultural and economic factors which affect the way in which parents carry out their roles.
The effect of gender expectations on parenting, both fathering and mothering.

The impact of diversity in all its forms should be explored and the importance of respect for equal opportunities and anti bias practice is to be emphasised.

Issues of safeguarding children and work with vulnerable and families who find services ‘hard to reach’ will also be addressed throughout the course.

Availability

Read the FMI Learner's Charter