Support for parents

We know that being a parent or carer can be one of the hardest jobs. Sometimes we could all do with some extra help and support.

• Free local support
• In Our Place - Solihull Approach
• Paid for courses
• Peer support groups for parents and carers
• Search for support and courses for parents and carers
• Other support for families
• Benefits of accessing courses and support
• Common myths about support for parents

Free local support

In York there are many free local opportunities for support delivered by a range of services, offering courses for families both in person and online to help parents and carers deal with challenges and help their children, including:

• Bright Sparks
• Family Learning
• Family Matters York
• Healthy Child Service
• Home-Start (referral)
• York Inspirational Kids

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In Our Place - Solihull Approach

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Paid for courses

Although there are many free courses and support for families, there are also some paid for courses. Families can make their own decision if they wish to choose a service where there is a cost.

Search for support and courses for parents and carers to find paid for courses.

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Peer support groups for parents and carers

There are also a number of peer support groups for parents and carers in York, where parents and carers come together to share their experiences and help each other.

These groups offer:

• a safe place to talk about challenges and celebrate successes
• an opportunity to learn new tips
• a chance to meet other people who understand what you’re going through

Search for support and courses for parents and carers to find peer support groups.

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Search for support and courses for parents and carers

For a list of free online and face to face courses for parents and carers visit the Family Services Directory.

In addition you can find:

• courses by theme
• courses by age of child
• courses by level of need
• paid for courses by theme
• online courses for parents and carers
• peer support groups for parents and carers

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Other support for families

Early Help for families

Early Help is a way of describing the extra support a family can receive if they need it.

Early Help is all about providing the right support to children and families at the earliest possible time; it brings together workers who can support the whole family to try and improve things for everyone.

Bullying

It's not nice to think that your child is being bullied. Bullying is all too common and can happen to anyone at any age. Being bullied at school, home, or online might involve:

• verbal bullying, for example calling you names
• emotional bullying, for example teasing you, talking about you or leaving you out
• physical bullying, for example pushing you or hitting you
• cyber-bullying, for example text message, Facebook or email

Tackling bullying is taken seriously in York.

If you feel or know you child is being bullied the first step is to talk to their school. Each school will have their own policy on behaviour and bullying. Please refer to your child's school website.

As well as talking to an adult at school, children and young people can ring Childline on telephone: 0800 11 11 and talk to them about anything that has upset them or makes them worry.

Search the Family Service Directory for services who can support you and your child on matters related to bullying.

Safeguarding concerns

Parents and carers, friends or any member of the public can contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to discuss your concerns, contact MASH by:

• telephone: 01904 551900
• email: mash@york.gov.uk

Or by post:

Outside office hours, at weekends and on public holidays, contact the emergency duty team on telephone: 0300 131 2131.

Visit the Safer Children York website.

PREVENT - Hate Crime

You should report hate crime if you have been a victim of it or witnessed it.

Online safety guide

The internet is part of many people's day-to day-life and as parents it's important to understand what children and young people are doing online.

Safer Children York has lots of information to help keep children and young people safe online.

Parents and carers health and wellbeing

As a parent we can often forget about ourselves and what makes us tick.

Live Well York provides information on activities, groups and services aimed at York residents aged 18 and over, including support we may need when looking after older members of our families.

Support for separated families

There are lots of local and national services to support separated families, including child contact, adoption and fostering.

Search the Family Services Directory for helpful websites, helplines and support services.

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Benefits of accessing courses and support

Courses for parents can help you to:

• improve your wellbeing
• learn more about your child’s development
• know what to expect as a new parent
• learn different ways to deal with problems
• help your child grow and develop
• manage common problems with your child’s behaviour
• support your child’s mental health and wellbeing
• help parents and carers gain confidence, skills, and knowledge to help build a strong and positive family life. This can help to keep families safe, happy and healthy
• provide an opportunity to meet other families, share stories and build a support network

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Common myths about support for parents

Myth 1:

Asking for help means you're a bad parent.

Getting support shows you want to be the best parent you can be. All parents and carers ask for advice and share experiences.

Myth 2:

Only new parents need support.

Parents of children at any age can benefit from support groups. Whether you have a newborn, a teenager, or an adult child, sharing and learning from others is always helpful.

Myth 3:

Support for parents is just for mums.

Support groups for parents and carers are for everyone. Dads, grandparents, and guardians are all welcome and can gain valuable insights and support.

Myth 4:

They will try and tell me what to do or what I’m doing wrong.

Support for parents is designed to be welcoming and friendly with no judgement. They are there to help people work out for themselves what is going well and offer tools to support if they want to change anything.

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