Parents and Carers

Background

As part of our Next Practice Programme, The Innovation Unit has been working with both parents/carers and schools to identify the most significant actions that parents/carers can take to help raise their children's attainment.

The Programme follows research by Dr Charles Desforges of Exeter University, which showed that parental engagement with learning and their support for their child is the most significant factor in every child's development and levels of attainment.

It also draws on evidence from DCSF research, which shows that 70% of parents want to do more to help their children but do not know how to.

As a result of our learning we are currently developing two products specifically aimed at parents/carers:

1. Parent/Carer Coaching 'Product'
2. Family !mpact

Parent/Carer Coaching 'Product'

The Innovation Unit is working with Coach in a Box to develop a tailored coaching process specifically designed to provide parents and carers with the confidence to support their children emotionally, morally and to be a role model for good interpersonal skills.

We are still at the diagnostic stage but it is anticipated that the product will focus on communication and relationship-building skills, giving parents and carers the confidence and practical tools to help their children deal with issues which can range from bullying to completing homework and so on.

It is envisaged that the product will include:

• a Personal Coach to work with the parent/carer over a period of three months using short, but regular, telephone coaching sessions to help them apply their learning
• coaching sessions built into a modular programme, specifically designed for this need - this means each parent/carer will be working through structured material and challenges that lead up to and support coaching conversations
• linking coaching into current parental issues.

Further information will be made available once the diagnostic phase is completed.

If you would like to be kept informed of the development of the Parent/Carer Coaching Product please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Family !mpact

Further information can be found here.

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