Parenting Support

Families will require support when faced with problems they are unable to overcome on their own. Ideally support should come from existing networks, such as extended family, religious leaders, and neighbours. Where such support is not available or sufficient, additional family and community services are required. Such services are particularly important for kinship, foster and adoptive caretakers, and child headed households in order to prevent separation and address abuse and exploitation of children. It is also vital for children affected by HIV/AIDS and armed conflict, and those children living on the street.

Parenting support services are typically provided by social and community paraprofessionals. They focus on the individual needs of a child or family, in order to address and overcome issues which may lead to family separation or harm to the child. Such services should be provided within the context of case planning, beginning with an assessment of the child and family situation. By assessing the need first, an appropriate set of services can be offered, such as day care provision, parenting support, household economic strengthening, or psychosocial referral.

Day care services are particularly important for caretakers who are overwhelmed as a result of ill health, cannot provide adaquate care because they need to work, or who are isolated within the community. It provides an excellent opportunity for children to socialise with others, and can offer additional protection and education.

Parenting support provides caretakers with an opportunity to talk about their difficulties, and learn additional techniques for meeting their child’s developmental and relationship needs. It can enable caretakers to cope with behavioural problems, and address abusive parenting techniques, thereby reducing the need for family separation and improving the incidence of successful family reunification.

The literature in this section contains information on family support programmes for vulnerable children, including day care and parenting support.

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Working with Children and Families Vol. 2. Behavior Management

Louise Melville, British Council, Jordan, 2005

Guidance for caregivers and residential staff in Jordan on how to assess behavior problems in children and to manage them positively.

Children and Disability in Transition CEE/CIS and Baltic States

UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2005

Report presents and analyzes new research and data around children with disabilities in the region, the effects of institutional care, and the need for family support services.

The Lost Ones: Emergency Care and Family Tracing for Children from Birth to Five Years

Marie de la Soudière, Jan Williamson, and Jacqueline Botte, 2005

Guidelines for the care of young children separated from their families in emergencies. Includes detailed information on prevention of separation, child registration and documentation, and family reunification.

The Promise of a Future: Strengthening Family and Community Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kerry Olson, Ruth Messinger, Laura Sutherland, and Jennifer Astone , 2005

A brief document advocating for the strengthening and support of community based responses to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Romania: Minimum Standards for Child Day Care Centers

Romania National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption, 2005

Minimum standards for day care centers in Romania.

Children in Institutional Care: The Status of their Rights and Protection in Sri Lanka

Save the Children Sri Lanka and Save the Children Canada, 31 Dec 2004

A situation analysis of children in institutional care that includes policy implications and key recommendations.

Children in Institutions: Prevention and Alternative Care: Final Report

Bragi Gudbrandsson, Working Group on Children at Risk in Care, Council of Europe, 19 May 2004

A comparative analysis of protection and care systems across Europe, focusing on the use of institutions, alternative forms of care placements, family support services, and the role of social workers in the process of child placement.

The Future of Children: A Collaboration of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and The Brookings Institute

Princeton University and the Brookings Institute, 17 May 2004

In assessing the practice of foster care in the US and its current limitations, this series of articles advocates for the implementation of health assessments for all children in care, support to preserve permanency and assist birth families, comprehensive supports for foster families, specialized services for children in need, increased cultural competency in social work practice, coordinated services across sectors for families in need and comprehensive well being assessments for children in care.

Improving Protection for Children without Parental Care: A Call for International Standards

UNICEF and International Social Service, 2004

Outlines problems and issues in providing appropriate out-of-home care solutions. Advocates for development of more comprehensive international standards for out-of-home care.

Promising Practices in Reunification

Susan Dougherty, 2004

A list of US programs and program approaches that influence family reunification outcomes. Relevant for social workers, policy-makers, and others involved in foster care, after care, and family reunification.