Putting Sibling Relationships on the Map
A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective
Edited by Martina Klett-Davies
More
News Family Focus - the Family and Parenting newsletter Archived newsletters August 07 newsletterWelcome to August's issue of the Family and Parenting Institute's newsletter.
To subscribe to this newsletter click here
1. News
2. Family Policy Digest
3. Horizon scan
4. Forward look
5. Notice board
6. Consultations
1. News
Balancing family and work?
With the summer holidays upon us, work life balance issues have been highlighted in the national press. From issues of childcare and flexible working to research about the effects that working parents may have on their children's health, it's been a busy month.
A report last month by the Children's Society raises concerns about whether parents in Britain are spending enough time with their children. Children saw a happy home life as one in which they spent time together as a family.
Children's Society 17 July 2007
The Daycare Trust has spoken to lone parents who say they can't go back to work because there is no-one to look after their children in the school holidaysDaycare Trust: School's out - but for lone parents holidays are not...
New media – its use and abuse
Some of the world's leading food manufacturers have been getting round the ban on advertising junk food to children on television by switching their effort to social networking websites and internet chat rooms frequented by children and young people.The Guardian
The BBC Panorama documentary, Children's Fight Club reported how online advertising – often from Blue chip companies - is bankrolling internet sites which feature violent amateur videos of young teenagers being bullied and assaulted.Panorama: Children's Fight Club
The dangers for children of watching too much television and spending too much time in front of the computer were highlighted in a new Consumer Council Report. Children who do so are more materialistic and have lower self-esteem.National Consumer Council
The government is investing up to £34m in a 'Parent Know How' Innovation Fund to try and use new media in a positive way to provide parenting information and support to disabled children, fathers and those from disadvantaged communities.Government News Network
Organisations interested in tendering for this work can find information onParent Know-How
Marriage and relationships
The new report from the Law Commission recommends giving cohabiting couples considerably more legal protection than they have had up until now, but still not as much as that enjoyed by married couples.Law Commission: Cohabitation
Conservative Party family policy
The Conservatives' new report from the Social Justice Policy Group, Breakthrough Britain, emphasises that marriage is one of the keys to improving family life in Britain. It suggests incentives for married couples such a transferable tax allowance and recommends setting up a new Marriage and Relationships Institute. For the full report click here:Poverty DebateMore: Press ReleasesMore: Forums
Lessons for Sure Start
The latest evaluation of Family and Parenting Support in Sure Start Local Programmes highlights many deficiencies in the parenting support offered to date. It recommends bolstering the skills of the workforce and spreading good practice with more evidence-based programmes being used in children's centres. The National Academy for Parenting Practitioners should help to address some of these challenges.Sure Start Local Programmes
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has also announced a £4 billion grant to ensure that there is a Sure Start children's centre in every community by 2010DCSF: Local AuthoritiesClick here for the full breakdown authority by authority
New name, new energy
The Department for Education has been split into two, with a new Department for Children, Schools and Families, headed by Secretary of State Ed Balls. The skills part of the old DfES will go into a new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Many new announcements regarding funding have been made:DCSF
Helping young people
The DCSF and the Treasury have launched their report Aiming High for Young People, a ten year strategy for positive activities for young people. It includes plans for new and improved youth facilities in every community with additional investment for teenagers living in the most disadvantaged communities.Aiming High for Young People
The 4Children report: Make Space Youth Review: Transforming the offer for young people in the UK highlights the lack of facilities for young peopleMore
Back to top
2. Digest
In the Family Policy Digest this month: a Government consultation on keeping children safe; policies on social exclusion from the Conservative Party's Social Justice Policy Group; and a Green Paper on welfare reform setting out plans to get more lone parents back to work.
This month's digest has a new format. This will enable information to be found more easily.
Back to top
3. Horizon scan
FPI publications in September 2007
Religion and Parenting Practices – a research review:
This new discussion paper addresses the role played by religion in family life, in particular on parent-child relationships
Cultural Competence in Family Support – A Toolkit for Black, Minority Ethnic and Faith Families
This popular Toolkit has been completely revised and updated. It now includes a discussion on recent equality legislation designed to provide a focus for promoting diversity and challenging discrimination.
Family Support
In-depth research of primary, secondary and special schools across England to look at how their staff were planning, commissioning and delivering family support.
Children's plan
A nationwide consultation will be launched by Ed Balls to draw up a children's plan over the next four months. Ministers will co-chair three working groups alongside a leading practitioner. The groups will consider the range of education and wider services affecting children and young people.
House of Commons Hansard Debates for 10 July 2007
Statutory Guidance on the Early Years Outcomes Duty
The new duty will commence on 1 April 2008 and in preparation for this the Government will publish the final statutory guidance during autumn 2007.
Back to top
4. Events calendar - Forward look
Check here for upcoming events in the family and parenting world. Please let us know of your forthcoming events so we can include them.More
Back to top
5. Notice board
Parents' Week 2007 - free handy guide to working with vulnerable families by Honor Rhodes
Monday 15th – Sunday 21st October
Don't forget to register for your free copy of our practitioner's guide to working with vulnerable families. Simply enter your details here. Our online forum has threads on a range of subjects including working with fathers, engaging hard to reach parents and children and domestic violence. You can register and post on the forum here. You can also find everything you need to plan your Parents' Week event here
Turning Lives Around Conference 2007
What works for vulnerable families
Monday 15 October 2007, 9.30-5.30pm
Church House, Deans Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ
Professionals working with vulnerable and hard-to-reach families can make a difference and families can turn their lives around.
Book a place at our conference
New Forum
Involving parents in strategic work, Engaging 'hard to reach' parents, Parenting strategies, Health visitors.
These are just a few of the threads on our new forum. Please do help others in the community to find answers to their questions and log on to ask your own or read the current threads.
Starting School Information Sessions for Parents
The 20 demonstration projects have been running sessions for parents this summer in schools in:
Blackburn, Bolton, Brighton & Hove, Calderdale, Cambridgeshire, Croydon, Essex, Gateshead, Hampshire, Leeds, Lewisham, Luton, Northamptonshire, N Lincs, N Somerset, Redbridge, Sheffield, Telford, Trafford, Worcestershire
If you would like to know more about how schools in each area are running the sessions, go to the link below to post your query.
ELPP
The early learning partnership project is launcing their newsletter next month.
You will be able to view this newsletter online at http://www.familyandparenting.org on a new dedicated section of our website.
Staying safe
The DCSF would like to hear about any events or groups you are organising during the consultation period, where they could discuss the issues outlined in Staying Safe. They are working with the Central Office of Information (COI) to organise a series of regional events with practitioners and focus groups with parents.
Parental complaints
Ofsted received new powers in April 2007 to consider complaints by registered parents and carers about their child's school as a whole. Ofsted is keen to engage with parents about their children's education and will clearly explain what can be done in response to complaints. Ofsted will exercise discretion in using these powers. While seeking to improve the service provided for parents.
Back to top
6. Consultations
Administration of Additional Paternity Leave and Pay
Additional Paternity Leave and Pay will enable employed fathers to take up to 26 weeks Additional Paternity Leave, some of which can be paid if the mother of the child has returned to work. It will be available during the second six months of the child's life.
Deadline: 03/08/2007Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Section 58 of Children Act 2004 Review
This review seeks the views of parents on physical punishment as well as evidence from those working with children and families on the practical consequences of the changes in the law brought about by section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
Deadline: 10/08/2007DCSF
Raising Standards, Improving Outcomes: Draft Statutory Guidance on the Early Years Outcomes Duty
This consultation seeks views on the draft statutory guidance on the Early Years outcomes duty. This new duty requires local authorities to improve outcomes for all young children in their area and reduce inequalities, through the provision of accessible and integrated early childhood services.
Deadline: 03/09/2007DCSF
Discrimination Law Review: A Framework for Fairness: Proposals for a Single Equality Bill for Great Britain
This consultation paper sets out the Government's proposals for a Single Equality Bill for Great Britain. The proposals have been developed as a result of the Discrimination Law Review, launched in February 2005. The Single Equality Act, if passed, would replace nine current major pieces of legislation. The Green Paper includes plans to strengthen protection from discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity.
Deadline: 04/09/2007Department for Communities and Local Government
Consultation on joint birth registration
A Green Paper from the Department of Work and Pensions, 'Joint Birth Registration: promoting parental responsibility', proposes that the naming of the father on birth certificates should be compulsory.
Deadline: 25/09/2007DWP
Effective consultation
The Cabinet Office is conducting a review of Consultation Policy to see how Government consultations can be improved and is keen to hear the public's views. The consultation is aimed at anyone with an interest in responding to government consultation exercises, from those who regularly respond to the Government's consultations to those who might be interested in doing so.
Deadline: 28/09/2007Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Design:This Way Up
Powered by:ThinkAdmin
Family and Parenting Institute is the operating name of the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI). NFPI is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Registered company number: 3753345. Registered Charity No: 1077444. VAT Registration No. 833 0243 65. Registered Address: 430 Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London, NW5 1TL