Parents Information Points (PIP)

• What is PIP?
• Parents Information Points (PIP) in the Holme Valley
• PIP toolkit and contacts

• Provides universal support with no stigma attached
• Information about what is within the range of normal child and adolescent development and behaviour
• Ways to encourage self reliance in children and positive parenting tips
• A market place with information about where to go for information, advice and support about the many things that parents want to find out more about
• Information and discussion about issues relating to parenting children at this age/stage

1. Hospitality: the experience of being invited, welcomed, introduced and cared for by the host organisation, designed to be an enjoyable social occasion.
2. Market place: the presence of staff from different agencies, able to provide information, advice and referrals to specific services.
3. Who Can Help game: meeting other parents in a structured way in small groups, which breaks the ice, helps to show people that they are not alone, makes it easier to raise difficult topics, and encourages information sharing.
4. Informal needs assessment: through the Who Can Help Game, parents are encouraged to identify topics about which they would like to know where they can get help.
5. Information: general or about specific needs through the 10 top tips, leaflets, resources, agency staff, role play, facilitators or other parents.
6. Referral: the ability to refer parents to specific services and sources of support.
7. Reflection: Participants reflect on and reinforce what they have learnt and provide feedback to the organisers. Organisers reflect on and evaluate to improve or fine tune it for next time.

• reach all parents, non-stigmatising, signposting to services
• enable parents to meet each other
• blur boundaries between school and community
• break down barriers and build relationships between agencies
• enable parents to influence services
• help parents and children become more confident
• give more security for the child if they experience the school and their parents working together
• foster change of focus in schools from talking to parents to listening to them
• support parents to support children's learning
• avoid dips in children's achievement at transition points such as into secondary school
• provide a 'hook' to get parents to think about their child
• ensure smooth transition for the child

• show parents that the school is interested in the whole child
• create opportunities for staff to meet informally with parents
• improve relationships between parents and schools
• enable school staff to meet a wider range of local agencies and voluntary organisations
• help to create a culture in schools of working with parents and agencies
• get agencies to work with schools, not just hold events in schools
• encourage schools to maintain continuity of relationships with both parents and agencies

Evidence shows that timely information, advice and support can be the first step to preventing difficulties becoming major problems. Parents are the greatest influence on their children's wellbeing, educational attainment and life chances. How parents treat their children has more influence than family income, social background, ethnic origin or school. Studies show that low attainment at school, mental illness, substance abuse, crime and violent behaviour often have origins in early childhood experiences within the family. All parents want the best for their children, but the evidence of conflict, stress and the break up of families shows that many parents may not know what to do or where to get help when they experience difficulties.

Studies of parents' needs show that word of mouth is most effective when backed up by printed material, personal advice with opportunities to meet other parents and share experiences.

The special feature of PIP events is that they address parents as people and offer a wide range of information and support from which they choose what they need. Each of the 7 elements contributes to this in different ways. PIP's central feature is the attention given to parents, their needs and potential. Systematic quality control and evaluation are essential to ensure that it remains relevant and responsive to parents.

Parenting is arguably the most difficult and important job in the world, but one for which people are least prepared and supported.

Two valley schools, Holmfirth Junior Infant & Nursery (March 2005) and Netherthong Primary (April 2005) hosted a Parents Information Point for the parents and carers whose children attend their schools.

Both sessions were designed to provide parents and carers with information about child development, to introduce them to other family support services and to link up parents of children in the same age-group to share experiences and for mutual support.

• Family Tax Credit
• Further education
• Back into work
• Bullying
• Behaviour
• Healthy eating

Parents and staff joined together to play a board game designed to explore who can help with what.

A musical power point showing Top Tips added to the relaxed atmosphere at both sessions.

Each parent took home a colourful magnetic Fridge Reward Chart. These were also in great demand for other children in the family.

I believe the following Job Description says it all!

The National Family & Parenting Institute have developed a PIP Toolkit which is available from them and enables people who are working with parents to put on these superb events!

The Toolkit is available to borrow free of charge from:
The Parenting Resources, Northorpe Hall, Mirfield. Tel: 01924 498242

For further details about PIP:
Email: info@nfpi.org
Website: www.nfpi.org

or:
Email: info.parentingsupport@kirklees.gov.uk