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6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 2

Being a new parent can be the most rewarding experience, but it

can also be tough and may be a little daunting at first. Every

baby is different and at every age we are faced with new

challenges and situations to handle. There is no such thing as a

perfect parent and we all need a little help and support at times.

We aim to offer practical advice and positive ways to manage

some of the challenges you may encounter. You’ll find

information, warning signs, as well as ideas and tips that can be

used to tackle specific issues. There is also information on how to

get further support.

We hope you find this guide helpful.

John Christie

Director of Children and Families

Brent Council

Call Brent Children and Families Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

or visit www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

Welcome

to the Brent Parenting Handbook, a guide for mums, dads

and carers from pregnancy up to the age of five.

This guide is one of a set of three,

covering parenting issues from

pregnancy up to 19 years. Read

the right guide/s for your family.

Parents and carers

of 5-11 year olds

Parents and carers

of 11-19 year olds

CONTENTS PAGE

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Contents

About you as a parent/carer

All kinds of parents

Parenting roles and responsibilities

Being a good role model - drug and

alcohol misuse

Help to support you - children’s centres

Help to support you - parenting

programmes

New to Brent

I am pregnant

Looking after yourself

Keeping happy during your pregnancy

Young parents

Keeping your child safe

Babysitting and childminding

Child protection

Safer sleeping

Helping your child to be healthy

Breastfeeding and immunisations

Common childhood illnesses

Healthy lifestyles

Helping your child’s developments

Developing speech and language skills

Encouraging good behaviour

Managing behaviour

Starting school

Help to support you - types of services

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 4

All kinds of parents

My new partner also has a son. It’s taken

a while to get used to the new family set up,

but it’s great.

Your family is unique.

Dif

ferent people handle change in

different ways.

Children need stability and change can

make them feel especially vulnerable.

Family change takes time to get used to.

Whatever kind of family you have, you’re

not alone - if you need help, make contact.

There’s no such thing as an ‘average’

family - every family is different.

Going it alone

Growing up with one parent can be a

good thing, leading to a close

relationship. Encourage your child to

spend time with their other parent if

it’s safe and possible. Help them

understand how both of you will be

part of their lives and that it’s okay

to love you both.

Coping with a death in the family

Every child will act differently, some will

feel guilty about still living, others will

think about death and loss and who else

could ‘leave’ them. Patience and the

support of family and friends is key at

this time. Support agencies such as

Cruse have a helpline to help parents

cope and useful advice on their website.

Teenage parents

As a young parent, you’ll face extra

challenges. All new parents struggle at

times, so don’t be embarrassed to ask

for support and advice. Your education

may have to be cut short, but don’t

give up on plans for the future. Think

about your own needs and try to enjoy

some of the things that other young

people do.

Make sure that you have

good, reliable childcare if you leave your

child at home.

New families

In a new relationship, everyone will

need time to get used to things. If your

new partner has children there could

be extra challenges. Change can make

us all feel unsafe, so it’s important to

make sure everyone feels secure. Take

things slowly and carefully and try to

see things through each other’s eyes.

Grandparents

Can give a welcome extra pair of

helping hands and are an important link

to family histories and a sense of

belonging. Their experience can be

useful. They have lives of their own so

don’t ask them to do too much. In

family breakdowns they may lose touch

with much-loved grandchildren.

Private fostering

If you are caring for someone else’s

child and you are not a close family

member this is known as ‘private

fostering’. You must inform your local

social services of this arrangement,

which also provides you with the

opportunity to get support.

What is a family?

”

“

Changes in the way your child

acts may signal that they are

feeling insecure. Watch out for

feelings of blame or guilt if your

relationship with your partner is

not working.

Talk through changes early -

children are quick to pick up

‘vibes’ and may know if you’re

keeping something from them.

Keep talking about the new

things that are happening.

A stable family life is important

to children, however unusual the

make-up of your family. Remind

them that they are loved,

whatever is happening.

Counselling, mediation and

support agencies can help to

spot possible problems. Know

your rights. Find out about

parenting programmes.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

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Parenting roles

and responsibilities

I suddenly realised this new little life was

my responsibility. It was scary at first but I am

so proud.

Having a child can be one of the most

amazing things we can do in our lives.

Being a new par

ent and the responsibility

that comes with it can be daunting.

There is lots of help and support available.

As parents, you are both responsible for

your child in every way.

Your role and responsibilities will change

as your child grows.

All children have rights.

Having a child can be one of the most

amazing things we can do in our lives

and it can also be one of our biggest

challenges. Your baby or toddler will

rely on you in every way and you are

responsible for their safety, health, care

and actions. Sometimes it can come as

a bit of a shock to a new parent that

they suddenly have this little life they

are completely responsible for.

All children have human rights, some

groups of children have additional

rights (maybe they have a disability) to

make sure they are treated fairly and

their needs are met. Having a child

means a lifelong commitment to

someone who will need your care and

support. If you are a parent then you

are responsible in the eyes of the law

for the safety, wellbeing and

upbringing of your child.

Your children are a reflection of you

and your parenting. The most effective

parenting tool we have is the example

we set as good role models early on.

This will help your child grow into a

responsible, healthy and happy adult.

As your baby develops into a toddler

your roles and responsibilities will

change and grow. You are responsible

for their actions as well as for keeping

them safe and well.

You are not alone, there is lots of advice

you can get to help you along the way,

as well as children’s centres and local

support groups. In Brent we offer

local parents and carers parenting

programmes (Brent's parenting

programmes are for any parent who

wants to be supported in improving

their skills). It gives you the chance to

chat and exchange ideas with other

parents as well as meeting professionals,

who can offer help and advice.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, we all

need a bit of help from time to time.

As well as caring for your child, it's

also important to look after your own

wellbeing. Take a break. Parenting is

hard work and you need time for

yourself.

It’s your job

”

“

Having a child can be one of the

most amazing things we can do

in our lives and it can also be

one of our biggest challenges.

The most effective parenting

tool we have is the example we

set as good role models early on.

This will help your child grow

into a responsible, healthy and

happy adult.

Your child relies on you.

Find out more about Brent's

parenting programmes.

Don’t be too hard on yourself,

we all need a bit of help from

time to time.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

WARNING

SIGNS

CONTENTS PAGE

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Being a good

role model

I thought my drinking was just the same as

anybody else’s. I thought the kids didn’t notice

as they are only toddlers.

When parents use drink or drugs, it often

fects the emotional development and

wellbeing of their child.

Parental drug or alcohol use can put

children in danger.

When violence occurs in families, alcohol

is often a cause.

Pregnant women are often victims of

domestic violence.

Pregnant women who drink alcohol or

take drugs are seriously damaging their

unborn baby.

Drug and alcohol misuse

”

“

Your children, from a very young age

will be influenced by your behaviour. If

your answer to a problem is to have a

drink or take drugs, things can get to

the stage where you are not taking

proper care of your children or

protecting them.

Think about what your behaviour says

to your child - do you come in from a

difficult or stressful day and reach for a

drink? Children learn from what they

see and can begin to think that alcohol

or drugs are okay and the normal way

of sorting out problems. Often people

start using drugs in a similar way to

relieve stress or tension. No matter

how careful you think you are, children

are often very aware of their parents’

behaviour. Both alcohol and drugs can

affect your ability to look after your

children and have serious effects on

them as they grow up.

It is important that you talk to your

partner or some other relative who

could offer support to you and your

children. Children may be too young to

understand what is going on or think

they will get into trouble if they tell.

There is support available for children

who live in households where drugs

and alcohol are a problem.

If you think you or another adult at

home has a problem seek advice and

support. Things are beginning to

become a problem if your use of alcohol

or other drugs is affecting the following:

• relationships - has someone spoken

to you about their concerns for you?

• your work - have you been late,

missed work or performed poorly as

a result of substance use?

• your health - are you having difficulty

sleeping, feeling unwell or needing

to use something to make you feel

better?

• you have come into conflict with the

law - have you been drinking and

driving or arrested for possessing

drugs?

These are all signs that you should seek

help. All of these things will affect your

ability to look after your child.

Your use of alcohol or drugs

might result in changes to your

child’s behaviour. They may act

out or have changes to their

appearance or stop seeing

friends.

Think about your actions - what

does your use of alcohol or

drugs teach your children? Are

you sure that your children are

not aware of what you do?

Encourage them to talk to

someone who can help them.

Help them to do normal things

like playing with friends.

Be conscious about your use of

alcohol or drugs. If you think

they may be causing problems

for you or your family get more

information and seek help and

advice.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

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Help to support you

Our local children’s centre has really helped all

the family. I have made some new friends too.

A network of children’s centres are now

operational across Brent of

fering support

and advice to families.

Not all centres provide the same service.

The centres are a good place to meet

and talk.

Children of all ages learn through play -

play is a vital part of your child’s

development.

Early childhood experiences affect

children’s attitude to learning.

Young families have a range of needs

and the demands on you as parents

never really stops. Children’s centres

are about making sure that it is as easy

as possible for you to get the help and

advice you need from services, close to

home, and when you need them.

There will be a range of services

available, from meeting with a

midwife, advice on breastfeeding,

support and advice on parenting, baby

massage classes and support for

developing healthy lifestyles. There are

special sessions for dads too.

You can get help and advice during

and after your pregnancy right through

to when your child is preparing to start

school, as well as meeting and talking

to other mums and dads. Children’s

centres may offer childcare, early

education services, advice on what

is available in your area, child and

family health services or family support

and outreach to parents away from

the centre.

If you are looking to return to training

or work there will be links with

Jobcentre Plus and local colleges and

training providers. There will be

activities and training available for

parents who want to learn new skills

and meet other parents.

Children’s centres can help both you

and your child prepare for school and

education. They will be able to support

you in accessing early education places

in schools, day nurseries or local

playgroups. The centre will be able to

offer you a variety of play and learning

opportunities, as well as telling you

what else is available in the local area.

Children learn through play and having

fun, as well as being praised for their

efforts. Your child will have access to

toys, games and books which you

might not have at home.

Children’s centres are also great places

for family learning where you can learn

a new skill safe in the knowledge that

your child is being cared for.

Children’s centres

”

“

If your child isn’t receiving

enough stimulation from you or

from other carers, they may not

be getting the opportunity they

need to learn. It could affect

their development and future

attitude to learning.

Make time to have fun playing

with your child. Make sure other

carers have a positive attitude to

play and learning. Find out

what’s available.

Just go with the flow. Introduce

as many different experiences as

you can. Try to discover what

sort of play interests your child

and play along with them.

Avoid letting your child get

bored. Spend time with young

children - keep them stimulated.

Try to think up new activities for

your child, especially ones for

rainy days.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 11

Help to support you

Attending the parenting course has really

helped me. My confidence has grown and I feel like

I understand a bit more about what he needs.

Parenting programmes give parents the

opportunity to shar

e experiences, learn new

skills and help build positive relationships.

If you are finding things difficult help is

at hand.

If you feel you or your child needs extra

help, support can be offered to you both.

Seeking additional advice or support is not

a sign you are unable to cope.

Parenting programmes help parents

understand their children and how to

deal with different situations. There are

a wide range of parenting programmes

available within Brent depending on

your needs.

For children under five years the

parenting programmes we offer are:

Positive Parenting Programme

(Triple P)

This is a parenting programme for

parents of children aged up to 11.

There are a number of different Triple P

courses which aim to help parents

improve their relationships with their

children, set boundaries and help with

how to deal with problem behaviour.

Incredible Years

This is a programme for parents of

children aged up to 12 which helps

parents deal with aggression,

behaviour problems and social skills.

Families and Schools Together (FAST)

Aims to help parents to get more

involved with their child and other

parents. The FAST programme works

well with children aged 0-15 years old.

Strengthening Families,

Strengthening Communities

This is a programme for any parent of

children aged 3-18 years old. The

programme aims to increase parental

self-esteem, confidence and achieve

positive change in family relationships.

The programme aims to reduce

behaviourial difficulties and help

parents build their child’s confidence.

Seeking additional advice or support is

not a sign you are unable to cope.

Every parent needs a little extra help at

some point so don’t feel that you

cannot ask for help. Brent parenting

programmes offer lots of different

kinds of support and information.

Parenting programmes

”

“

You feel that you cannot cope,

your self-confidence as a parent

is low and you are unsure where

to go next.

Discuss the parenting programme

options we have available here in

Brent for parents of children

under five years.

Talk to your partner about

getting involved too.

By doing something at this stage

you are helping yourself and

helping your child in developing

a great relationship.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 13

New to Brent

I was really nervous when we first arrived here

but my whole family has settled in really quickly and

the kids have already made some new friends.

There is lots of support and information if

you ar

e new to our area.

Make sure you know where to get the

services you need for your family.

Children from abroad help to enrich the

vibrant cultural life of Brent.

Make sure you register with a local doctor.

Find out more about the support services

available from our children’s centres.

If your child is four you will need to think

about school and ask about admissions.

Large numbers of people arrive in

Brent from overseas or move into the

area from another part of the UK.

Brent will help support you. Things will

of course seem a bit strange at first but

with our help we can work together.

Teams of social workers, health

workers, teachers and carers are all

ready to offer a whole host of services

to welcome you to our borough.

To get the best start, make sure you

the best type of childcare or school for

your children. Your local children’s

centre will be able to help you. Going

to clubs or sessions will help you all

make new friends and begin a new

enjoyable learning experience. There

are lots of parenting courses and

training options you could think about,

childcare is often available on site.

Try to make new friends yourself, it’s

not always easy, but once you’ve made

the effort you will be pleased you did.

Join local clubs or learn a new skill -

this way you will immediately have

something in common with everyone

else. You may even wish to become a

volunteer, which is a great way to get

to know people and add to your work

experience. Don’t be afraid to ask for

help if there’s anything you don’t

understand.

If English is a second language to you

do try to use it. There are a number

of English courses available which

will help you settle into the local

community. This will not only help

you make friends but will help you in

finding a job. It is important that your

children are able to understand English

when they start school.

Caring professionals will aim to

understand your cultural preferences

and overcome any language barriers,

to help make you feel confident and

settled as soon as possible. Remember

you are not alone - there is an entire

network of support for you out there.

A whole new start

”

“

You are new to the area and feel

alone. You do not know anyone.

Make sure you mix with your

new community. Do not shut

others out - enjoy meeting new

people and seeing new places.

Try to chat to a least one new

person everyday. Go to your local

children’s centre and see what’s

going on.

Make sure you use the help that

is on offer to give you and your

family the best new start.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

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Looking after

yourself

Being pregnant is wonderful and scary

all at the same time. I soon realised how

important it was to make sure I go to my

antenatal check-ups.

It is r

eally important that you go to your

antenatal check-ups regularly.

Antenatal check-ups give you the chance to

ask questions and talk about your concerns.

Midwives and doctors will meet you early in

your pregnancy to start planning your care.

You need to make sure you eat well and

take enough gentle exercise.

Avoid alcohol and do not smoke (or passive

smoke).

As soon as you think you're pregnant,

see a midwife or doctor. The sooner

you do this, the sooner you can start

your pregnancy care. They'll calculate

how many weeks you've been

pregnant, based on the first day of

your last period. From this, they can

work out roughly when your baby is

due. Antenatal care covers the care

you will receive throughout your entire

pregnancy. During this time, it is very

important that you take good care of

your health and that of your baby.

All women intending to become

pregnant, and those who are, are

also advised to take folic acid to

help prevent birth defects.

Antenatal appointments

It is really important that you go

to these check-ups regularly.

The development of your baby and

your own health will be checked. You

will be offered a series of tests that

can help to show up any illnesses

or conditions that may cause

complications for you or your baby.

A record of your antenatal care and

appointments will be made, these are

known as your antenatal notes. You

should bring them with you to each

of your appointments.

Your first antenatal appointment is

often known as your booking

appointment. Your midwife will also

give you advice on pregnancy. Pregnant

women are advised to eat a balanced

diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and

calcium. You should not use drugs,

drink alcohol, smoke and avoid

medication if possible. Limit caffeine to

two and three cups per day (in coffee).

You will also be given the choice to

attend

antenatal

classes. These classes

may help to prepare you for the birth

of your baby, as well as giving you the

chance to meet other parents.

In the later stages of your pregnancy

you should also be prepared for your

baby. Pack a hospital bag in advance,

chat to your midwife about what you

will need. Think about making your

home a safe, warm ‘baby-friendly’

place.

Preparation for birth

”

“

If you think you may be

pregnant see a midwife or

doctor as soon as you can.

Make sure you keep

appointments throughout your

pregnancy to check on your

babies development and your

health too.

Do not be afraid of asking for

help and advice. Try speaking to

other mums, as they can share

their experiences with you.

Do not smoke or drink alcohol

while you are pregnant. Ask your

doctor about folic acid, which

can help prevent birth defects.

Try to steer clear of stress if

possible.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

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Keeping happy

during your

pregnancy

I had everything - a home, a loving husband

and a darling baby girl. I felt like I should feel happy,

but I felt guilty because I wasn’t.

Some women have forms of ‘baby blues’

during pr

egnancy.

Not every mum copes straight away with

motherhood.

Most women suffer ‘baby blues’ in the first

ten days.

The sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll

feel better.

Talk to your doctor about your worries.

Having a baby is a wonderful experience,

but hormonal changes can make you

feel more anxious than usual during

pregnancy. Changes in the way you feel

and in your body as well as the natural

concerns you will have during pregnancy

can sometimes trigger depression. Talk to

your midwife about this.

At some time in the first few days,

weeks or months, a new mum can feel

depressed, tired and tense. This is

normal, but no easier to deal with.

Baby blues

Some new mums get the ‘baby blues’

when they feel, not surprisingly, very

tired, worried and weepy. This usually

goes away without the need for

treatment about ten days after the

birth. A small number of women will

have deeper depression, sometimes

weeks or months after the birth of

their baby. Signs such as constant

weepiness, worry, tension, difficulty in

bonding with their baby, loss of interest

in sex, trouble sleeping, feeling

completely alone or living in a ‘bubble’,

feelings of guilt and resentment can be

those of more serious depression.

Many women do not see that they

have postnatal depression and carry on

without getting the help they need. It

is often women who expect a lot of

themselves and of motherhood who

find caring for a new baby hard to

cope with.

Getting support

Being at home with a new baby who

seems to always need feeding and

changing, who takes all your attention

and leaves you feeling really tired, can

be a lonely experience. If you feel

depressed, it is very important to let

family and friends know how you feel

so that you can get help. Your Doctor

can talk about treatment options with

you, such as counselling and anti-

depressants. You can also get to know

about local mothers’ groups that can

be an enormous support to new mums

from your doctor, midwife, health

visitor or children’s centres.

Coping with change

”

“

It’s normal to feel emotional and

very tired after having a baby,

but look out for symptoms of

postnatal illness.

If you feel low or depressed,

don’t try to cope on your own

and don’t be afraid to ask for

help - all new mums need help

from family and friends.

If you feel you are not coping,

talk to your health visitor,

midwife, or doctor. Don’t feel

embarrassed that you’re not

handling motherhood as well as

other mums seem to be.

Although more people now

know about postnatal illness,

only about half of mothers who

need help are getting it. So don’t

keep your feelings to yourself -

the sooner you talk about it, the

quicker you can get help.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

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Young parents

It has taken a while but I’m trying to be the

best mum I can. It’s really great spending time

with her.

Just because you are young doesn’t mean

you won’

t be just as good a parent as

anyone else.

You need to be prepared for changes in

your life.

Keep in touch with your best friends

and family.

Being a parent means some big changes to

your life no matter what age you are.

Just because you are young doesn’t

mean you won’t be just as good a

parent as anyone else, but there are

things that can make being a young

parent a bit daunting. The demands of

a child as well as sorting out your own

future may be difficult.

There is lots of support for young

parents. Coming to terms with what’s

happening, finding out about help,

understanding your rights about

education and employment and

finding support can all help you cope.

It’s different for everyone, but it might

put a strain on your relationship with

your partner, your family and even

your friends. There may be money

worries. Find out what benefits you

may be entitled to. You might want to

go back into education, training or

work. Revisit some of the plans and

dreams you had before you had your

baby. Your plans could still happen.

Looking after yourself

Having a baby can be exhausting and

stressful. Boost your energy levels by

eating a healthy diet - you need to stay

on top of things. Ask friends and family

for help and involve your baby’s father,

even if you do not live with him.

What about losing baby weight?

Start by taking some gentle exercise and

aim to give yourself a year to get back

into shape. The best way to lose weight

after having a baby is to follow a

balanced diet and take regular exercise.

Substance misuse

Smoking during pregnancy is

dangerous and is linked to low birth

weight babies. If you are breastfeeding

and you take drugs, drink alcohol or

smoke you are directly passing some of

these substances on to your baby.

Don’t let your baby inhale secondhand

smoke (passive smoking). Never smoke

when you are around them and ask

others not to smoke at home.

If you take drugs or alcohol you are

not in full control and could put your

baby at risk. You or someone else

could harm them without meaning to.

Getting the support

you need

”

“

You may be finding it hard to

cope and feel tearful, find it

difficult looking after your baby

and notice you have little

interest, or you may not be

eating or sleeping well.

You need to learn to look after

your baby. Ensure you are eating

well and sleep while the baby

sleeps.

Offer support, encourage your

partner to get involved. Find out

more together about your

options and support services

available to you.

The more support you have

during pregnancy, the more

likely you will be able to cope

once the baby is born. Ask about

local support groups and try to

meet other young parents.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Babysitting and

childminding

I’m so lucky as my mum and dad live close by

and help out if I get stuck.

Children rely on their parents for their safety.

our child has the right to care which is

free from harm.

Make sure your child gets the best

quality care.

Select your babysitter carefully.

Avoid leaving your child with someone

under 16.

Make sure your babysitter knows how

to contact you in an emergency.

As parents you are responsible for the

safety and wellbeing of your children.

As a result it is important that you

think very carefully about the person

you are going to leave them with,

whether this is a babysitter,

childminder, close relative or a friend.

When you leave your child in the care

of someone else you want them to be

as well cared for and safe as they are

with you. When choosing a temporary

carer for your child it is important that

you choose someone with the abilities

and high standards that you would

expect of yourself. This includes

someone who will make sure they are

well fed, changed, kept safe, given

room to play, feel secure and can deal

with difficulties which may occur.

Generally a babysitter will come to

your home to take care of your child.

Make sure you talk to your babysitter

before you leave. Let them know when

to expect you back and that they have

contact details in case of emergencies.

Babysitters do not need qualifications

or certificates to look after children so

anyone can advertise their services as a

babysitter. The National Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Children

(NSPCC) recommends that the

minimum age of a babysitter should be

16. This age limit is linked with the

possible action, which could be taken

by the police if anything were to go

wrong and an injury resulted.

It is most likely that you as a parent

would be held responsible if anything

goes wrong if your babysitter is under

16. A good babysitter will have a

good reputation locally and can be

recommended.

When choosing a childminder take

your time and meet a number of

different childminders if you need to.

Do not be afraid of asking to see

qualifications and certificates. Call in

during the day when other children are

in their care to see the way they work

and make sure you feel comfortable.

Even with family and trusted friends

you should establish rules and let them

know your childcare routines, like

bedtimes and foods they like.

Who can I leave my

child with?

”

“

Children will not always be able

to tell you if something is wrong,

so note changes in their mood

and physical appearance. Agree

with the babysitter to discuss,

from the beginning, all accidents

and incidents.

Use people you trust to care for

your child or ask them to

recommend someone. Speak to

other families who have used the

babysitter you are considering.

Tell the babysitter all about your

child’s routines and their likes and

dislikes. Tell the babysitter about

your rules. Always leave a contact

number in case of emergencies.

Make sure you feel completely

comfortable about your

babysitter before you leave your

child in their care.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Child protection

Social work has changed a lot. We work more

in partnership with families where there are

concerns to make sure they get support before

things reach a crisis.

Parents are responsible for their children’s

safety

Family services become involved once

concern is shared.

Children are best cared for by their own

families.

Professionals want to work in partnership

with families.

Professionals want to work with families to

reduce the risk of harm to children.

When harm happens to children

families need support. Social workers

and other professionals get involved

when parents may be unable to

protect their child from harm and need

some help. In some cases the police

child protection unit will investigate

with social workers to help protect

children and decide whether an

offence has been committed.

There have been negative reports in

the media about social workers and

what happens when concerns about

child abuse are reported.

Many myths exist, so for the record:

Child abuse is not easy to

recognise, prevent or stop

It is rarely possible to definitely say that

a child has been abused or by whom.

A careful assessment is needed to find

out what has happened and what

support and protection will best help

the family. A social worker will ask

questions about the family

circumstances, consider the frequency

and the seriousness of the incident and

the effect on the child. All of these

factors will help to decide what should

happen next to support and protect

the child and family.

Social workers and the police have

a duty to investigate concerns of

child abuse.

Professionals are not solely

responsible for protecting children

Traditionally, social workers have been

expected to make sure that children are

safe. In order to do this well, they rely

on information from parents, family,

other professionals and the local

community who all play an important

part in identifying concerns. This helps

to ensure support is offered before the

situation becomes far worse.

Removing a child from home is not

the main aim of social work

enquiries and rarely happens

Social workers can only remove children

from home with a court order, having

demonstrated that there is serious and

immediate risk. In emergency situations

the police have the power to remove a

child for 72 hours.

Myths and realities

”

“

Social workers will get involved

when they believe that physical

injury, neglect, sexual or

emotional abuse has occurred or

is likely to occur.

Make sure you know what child

abuse is and contact the police or

social services if you think this is

happening. A social worker will

meet you if abuse is reported.

If you are worried about your

own or someone else’s child, seek

advice about what practical and

emotional support is available.

It is important that children

know what to do when they

feel unsafe. Do they know who

to talk to and how to get a safe

place or person? If you are

worried about your child, seek

help early.

• Brent Children and Families

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020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Safer sleeping

It has to be every new parent’s nightmare. But

thanks to a few simple guidelines we’re all sleeping

much better now.

Always put your baby to sleep in the ‘back to

sleep’ and ‘feet to foot’ position.

Babies ar

en’t good at keeping their

temperature constant, so make sure they

don’t get too hot or too cold.

Keep your baby away from smokers.

If you must sleep with your baby do not take

any medicine, drugs or alcohol that may

make you sleep more heavily than usual.

‘Back to sleep’

Unless told otherwise by health

professionals your baby should always

be put to sleep on its back. This has

been shown to be highly significant in

ensuring babies safety during sleep.

Never let your baby fall asleep propped

up on a cushion, on a sofa or chair and

don’t let anyone fall asleep whilst

nursing your baby.

The safest place

A well-designed and stable cot in your

own room is by far the safest place for

your baby to sleep in their first six

months. Keep it simple and tidy, do not

use plastic sheets, bumpers, baby nests,

wedges, bedding rolls or any ribbons or

mobiles that your baby could get

caught up in. The mattress should be

firm, flat, clean and have a secure

waterproof covering. Cover the

mattress with a clean sheet and make

sure there are no gaps between the

mattress and the sides of the cot as

your baby could slip or become caught.

Temperature

Babies can overheat, which is known

to play a part in cot death. Try to keep

the room between 16 and 20 degrees

centigrade. Do not use duvets, quilts or

pillows until your baby is one year old,

instead give your baby one light layer

of clothing or bedding. Never use hot

water bottles or electric blankets and

always position your baby in the ‘feet

to foot’ position.

Sleeping with your baby

If you take a baby who cannot sleep

into your bed, do not take any

medicine, drugs or alcohol that may

make you sleep more heavily than

usual. Remember that when sleeping

next to you your baby will be warmer

anyway, so if they fall asleep under

your duvet they may get too hot. Be

aware that they face a bigger health

risk if you or your partner is a smoker.

Clean air

Never let anyone smoke near your

baby and if you or your partner is a

smoker you should give up now.

Tobacco smoke is known to be in the

breath of a smoker for a considerable

time after they have been smoking.

Reducing the risks

of cot death

”

“

Cot death or Sudden Infant

Death Syndrome (SIDS) is

becoming more and more rare.

Most deaths occur in babies

under six months old. There are

no clear warning signs so

preventing this is crucial.

Look at the prevention advice

given on this page and take any

steps needed to create a safe

place for your baby.

Make sure that all people who

take a role in caring for your

baby know of the risks from cot

death, especially if they smoke. If

you are unsure about what to do

get medical advice at once.

Follow the prevention steps

outlined on this page. Keep your

baby’s cot in your room for the

first six months, this way it will

be easier to keep an eye on

their sleeping position and

surroundings.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Breastfeeding and

immunisations

When Fiona was born I had a few problems

breastfeeding at first, but I’m glad I stuck with it - it

is good for her and makes me feel so close to her.

Make sure your baby has a healthy diet

from the start.

Until your baby is six months old, breast

milk has got everything they need.

Breastfeeding is the best way to protect

your baby against infections.

You may be entitled to free milk, fresh fruit

and vegetables and vitamins.

Giving your baby a healthy diet from

the start is one of the most important

things you can do for them, not just

now but for their future years too.

Breastfeeding isn’t just good for your

baby - it can be really rewarding for

you as well and it is a chance to bond

with your child and feel close to them.

Most mothers breastfeed their babies,

some bottle feed with formula milk

and some mothers do a mixture of

both. Breastfeeding is good for babies

because breast milk contains

antibodies that help protect against

illnesses.

There are other advantages for

you too

• it is free, you don’t need to prepare

east milk and you can do it in

most places

•

breastfeeding can sometimes take a

little while for you and your baby to

get used to, but once you do, it is easy

• if you can’t breastfeed your baby for

any reason but want them to have

breast milk, for example if you are

going to be away from your baby for

some time while you are working,

you can express your breast milk by

hand or by pump.

When your baby is six months old, they

will still need to breastfeed but now is

the time to offer your baby some

solids. This period is called ‘weaning’,

which means ‘trying’ - your baby will

be trying lots of different foods to see

what they like. Remember that babies

can’t drink cow’s milk until they’re a

year old.

Immunisations, also known as

vaccinations are usually given by

injection. The immunisation

programme mainly takes place during

the first five years. It’s important for

your baby to have their vaccinations at

the right age to keep the risk of

disease and any side-effects as low as

possible. Childhood immunisations are

free and most are given within the first

12 months. Advice on the vaccinations

should be sought from your family

doctor or health visitor.

A great start

”

“

Once established, breastfeeding

is easy for most mothers and

babies. It is important your baby

learns to attach properly to your

breast as this will help you both

to breastfeed well.

It is important to feed your baby

whenever they seem hungry.

This will make sure you produce

plenty of milk to meet their needs.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your

midwife, health visitor or

volunteer breastfeeding

counsellor if you have any

concerns.

Breast milk contains all the food

and water your baby needs.

Giving other food or drink may

also make them less interested in

breastfeeding. If they do not

breastfeed often enough, you

may not make enough milk to

meet their future needs.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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I want to know what I should do if

I am worried that my child is ill, who should

I go to for help?

Children are very susceptible to illnesses,

especially to typical childhood illnesses.

eastfeeding provides some immunity to

common illnesses.

Children explore the world around them

with their mouths and their hands. Things

that come into contact with their mouth

and hands can potentially cause an illness.

The more your child is exposed the stronger

their immune systems will become, and

their ability to fight off infection.

Parents are usually good at noticing when something is

wrong with their baby from quite early on. It is normal to

worry that you won’t recognise the signs that your baby is

unwell. Trust your instincts, you know your baby best. Learn

how to spot the signs of serious illness and how to cope if

an accident happens. If you know the basics and you are

well prepared, you will find it easier to cope - and less scary.

Keep a small supply of useful medicines such as a

thermometer, plasters, liquid paracetamol e.g. baby

paracetamol and barrier cream. Keep it somewhere high

where a child cannot reach it. Make sure you’ve got the

right strength of medicine for the age of your child, always

follow instructions carefully and check expiry dates.

I want to know more

If you want to find out more about what to expect and

what to do if you are worried about your baby or your child

then there are two handbooks, which are very helpful. These

are available free of charge for all expectant mothers and

parents. These are the Pregnancy Book and Birth Five book,

which are published by the Department of Health. Contact

your local maternity team or GP for a copy.

The Pregnancy Book is a complete guide to:

• a healthy pregnancy

• labour and childbirth

• the first weeks with a new baby.

The Pr

egnancy Book aims to:

• support the mother, her partner and baby throughout the

whole process

• explain the different aspects of pregnancy, ensuring

optimal health and wellbeing of all involved.

Birth to Five gives par

ents information on:

• becoming a parent

• taking care of yourself and your child

• finding practical help and support.

Birth to Five aims to:

• introduce parents to the healthy child programme for the

first years of life, explaining issues like immunisation as

part of the universal service pr

ovided for all children

• provide a guide to the early years of life, ensuring mother,

her partner and baby have support throughout this time

• explain, the different aspects of the first five years of life,

ensuring optimal health and wellbeing of all involved.

Being prepared and

knowing the signs

”

“

Common

childhood illnesses

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Healthy lifestyles

I have tried to start him on healthy foods

early on. He loves fruit and does not seem to

notice sweets.

Start as you mean to go on, a healthy baby

ows into a healthy child.

Many children in Brent are becoming obese

(very overweight) due to lack of exercise

and eating all the wrong foods.

If you eat more calories than your body

burns, you will put on weight.

Act now and protect your children from

secondhand smoke.

Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep

and exercise.

What they eat

Make sure your child eats a good

variety of foods in sensible amounts -

balance is the key. Make meal times

fun and try to make time to sit down

to eat and to enjoy food together as a

family. To get the best possible start to

the day, it is important that children

have a good healthy breakfast. Setting

a good example is one of the best

ways of encouraging healthy eating

habits early in life.

You do not need to give your toddler

low fat or diet foods. They do not need

to ‘diet’, they just need good, plain,

healthy foods. Avoid fast food or too

many pre-prepared meals.

Exercise

Food is used in our bodies to create

energy. If we don’t use it we get fat.

Encourage your children to be as active

as possible. You can get plenty of

exercise just by walking to the shops or

to school. Playing sports with your

child is another great way to keep fit.

Sleep

You know that lack of sleep can affect

your mood. The same is true of

children. Not enough sleep can affect

your child’s behaviour and how they

learn. Establish a good bedtime routine

and agree a set time for bed. Children

are growing and use lots of energy so

can need up to 12 hours sleep a night.

Smoking

If you smoke you should protect your

child from secondhand smoke. This will

reduce the risk of them becoming ill.

Contact your doctor or local free stop

smoking service who can help you kick

this damaging habit for good.

Teeth

Look after your child’s teeth and take

them to visit the dentist regularly.

Make sure your child brushes their

teeth twice a day with children’s

toothpaste. Children are especially at

risk from tooth decay if they eat sugary

things. Avoid sugary snacks and fizzy

drinks. If they like sweet things try

fruit instead.

”

“

A healthy person should eat a

balanced diet, be active, sleep

well, have sufficient energy and

generally feel that they enjoy life.

If this isn’t you and your family,

perhaps some basic improvements

could make a difference.

Ask your health visitor school

nurse or doctor for diet, exercise

and general advice on a healthy

lifestyle. Make sure your child

eats a healthy balanced diet.

Take your child to the dentist

regularly. Give up smoking.

Remind yourself that you can

change your general state of

health. Ask your family and

friends for support in your

decisions to change.

Too much saturated fat, salt and

sugar are bad for the body.

Prevent ill health by balancing

your lifestyle. Stop smoking.

• Brent Children and Families

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www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Developing speech

and language skills

Sitting down before bed and reading together

is a real treat. Spending this special time has really

helped us communicate with each other.

Before they can speak, they communicate

with you thr

ough eye contact, smiling

and gurgling.

Crying is another important way for them to

get their point across.

Communication isn’t just about words,

but your tone of voice and your facial

expressions too.

Reading to your child, story telling and

rhymes are all great forms of communication.

Communicating with your child helps

you form a strong bond. Before your

child can talk, they interact with you

through eye contact, smiling, gurgling

and even crying. Their brain develops

the most between birth and two years

so their early days are really important.

Your baby learns by hearing and doing,

so if you say words and make sounds

they will copy them.

If you talk and interact with your baby

it’ll be easier for them to learn to talk

later on, even if you don’t think they

understand now. It’ll also increase their

self-confidence.

It’s not just about words. Your child will

notice your tone of voice, how you

stand and how you use your hands -

even your facial expressions. Children

develop at different rates, so don’t

worry if other children their age seem

to be talking more.

In the first six months, most children

learn to make eye contact, smile when

an adult sees them and use different

cries for different needs. Give your

baby lots of eye contact.

From six months to a year, your baby

will try out sounds for themselves, like

‘ma-ma’ and ‘da-da’. Give big smiles,

copy them and encourage them to

repeat and describe everything you do.

From 12-18 months, your child will

probably try out their first words, or

point and make a noise to say what

they want.

From 18 months to two years, they’ll

be able to refer to themselves by name

and understand the names of familiar

things. Try not to correct words that

they get wrong - just repeat back to

them correctly.

From two to three years, your child will

often be asking ‘why’. Be patient and

give simple answers to their questions.

From three to four years, your child

should be talking more freely and

clearly. Take it in turns to listen and

speak so they’ll learn conversation.

Chatter matters

”

“

Children develop at different

rates but if you’re worried about

your child’s speech and language,

ask your health visitor, staff at

your child’s nursery or your local

children’s centre.

Give lots of smiles and praise.

Looking at picture books will

improve your baby’s language

and listening skills too. Nursery

rhymes or making up songs is

another fun way to learn.

Remember that babies absorb

lots of things, so try to use a

calm, gentle voice whenever

you’re around them. Use actions

and gestures with words, for

example waving ‘bye bye’.

When your baby cries, try to find

out what’s wrong, comfort and

talk to them. Use happy facial

expressions.

• Brent Children and Families

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Encouraging good

behaviour

I tell him off if he’s really naughty but I don’t

like to moan all the time. Hurtful comments could

damage his confidence. I think it’s better to tell him

when he’s done well - that way he wants to behave

well for me.

Children want approval so childhood is

a good time to teach them positive behaviour

Use positive feedback to build up self-esteem.

Praise your child when they do well and

explain why you’re pleased with them.

Children are happier if they have rules

to follow.

Use play to teach your child good behaviour.

Positive feedback

”

“

Every day, your child learns new things.

It’s what makes childhood such an

exciting time. Your child will learn from

you and your example.

As a parent, you have an important job

in teaching them about your values and

beliefs. Start this now and you’ll see all

your hard work pay off in the future.

Childhood is a good time to teach

them good behaviour because they

respect and want to be close to you.

Using positive feedback is a great idea.

Give lots of praise to build up your

child’s self-esteem by talking about

their strengths and not their

weaknesses. Your opinion of your child

has a huge impact on what they think

of themselves, so being too critical can

damage confidence.

When your child does something

good, praise them and explain why.

Rather than saying ‘Good girl’ when

they put their toys away, say ‘You’re a

good girl for putting your toys away

and helping me.’ Your child will see

the value of good behaviour.

You can use positive feedback when

your child is misbehaving too. Make it

clear that you’re upset about their

behaviour, not them. For example,

instead of saying ‘You’re a very

naughty child’ if they do something

wrong, try saying ‘That was a very

naughty thing to do’. That way, your

child won’t see themselves as a bad

person and will know they have the

power to change their behaviour.

It’s up to you to set boundaries and

rules in your child’s life - most children

are happier living with rules. Be

consistent, don’t tell your child off for

jumping on the table one minute and

then let them do it the next. Rules

work better if your child knows why

they exist.

Life is often so busy that many parents

don’t have time to sit down and spend

time playing with their child. Play is

important because it helps your child

feel good about themselves. Having

fun with your child and using play as a

way of teaching good behaviour can

be fun for both of you.

ls your child’s self-esteem low?

Do they say things like ‘I’ll never

be able to do this right’? If so,

their confidence has somehow

been damaged.

What you say and how you act

can affect their behaviour as

they grow up. Don’t lose your

temper. Develop a good

relationship with them before

they reach their teens.

Praise your child when they’re

good and when they have done

something difficult. Tell them

you’re unhappy with their

behaviour, not them personally.

You can help stop unacceptable

behaviour when your child gets

older by putting in the hard

work now - it really is worth it.

• Brent Children and Families

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020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Managing behaviour

She knows if she goes off in a strop and sits on

her own she will not get my attention. I am trying

to give her all the attention I can when she is

behaving well.

The ‘terrible twos’ are a normal part of

your child’

s development and can last for

a year or so.

Getting angry is a natural reaction but it

just makes the situation worse.

Be firm but find a positive way to deal with

the problem.

Plan to avoid the causes of tantrums.

Remember, they won’t last forever.

Some children hide away to get attention.

This can be dangerous and is their way of

getting you to notice them.

Why temper tantrums happen

Tantrums are especially likely to

happen if a child is tired, hungry or

uncomfortable. Tantrums also often

happen in busy, public places, which

can be highly embarrassing and add to

the parents’ stress.

Dealing with temper tantrums

• keep calm. Getting angry and

shouting at your child will only make

things worse

• try to find a distraction. Finding

something else inter

esting to do or

look at can help

• if none of the above works, try to see

things from your child’s point of

view. Try offering them a choice, as

this gives your child a sense of

control and can be more effective

than simply saying “no”. Always try

to offer a positive way out

• if you do say “no” don’t be tempted

to give in later to calm them down.

If you give in your child will learn

that tantrums work

• if you’re at home you can try

ignoring the tantrum. Encourage

your child to cool down on their own

and talk more calmly about what

they want

• after the tantrum, praise your child

for settling down. Give them a

cuddle and make it clear that you still

love them no matter what.

Avoiding temper tantrums

You can reduce the likelihood of a

tantrum by planning ahead:

• try to avoid your child becoming

hungry or overtired

• make sure your child is getting

enough personal attention and

affection

• make sure your time together is

quality time together, especially if

you work for most of the day

• keep shopping trips and outings as

short as possible

• try to plan a regular method that

you’ll use to deal with tantrums

when they do happen.

Remember, temper tantrums are normal

and do not usually lead to serious

problems. As your child gets older they

will learn to deal more calmly with the

stresses of everyday life.

Positive parenting

”

“

It could happen anywhere, but

watch out for a tired or hungry

child in any situation when they

want something that you have

said “no” to.

Stay calm, consider whether your

child needs food or rest. Give

your child attention and if

possible, find a quiet place or

some way of distracting their

attention.

Try to offer your child a choice or

a positive way out. Be calm and

understanding. Keep it simple

and clear. Praise your child for

calming down afterwards.

Try to foresee possible causes for

tantrums in the day ahead and

find ways to avoid them.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 39

Starting school

When Joe started school it was an exciting

time for him - and us, too. He wasn’t the only one

who had to get used to a whole new routine - there

were big changes for the whole family.

Starting school can be a huge change for

your child.

Start thinking about your child’

s early

learning place well in advance.

Find out as much as you can about their

new school.

It can sometimes be a difficult time for

parents too.

Home to nursery

For some children, being in a large

group of children can be a scary

experience. You can help them by

going to a parent and toddler group,

by attending other activities where

other small children are around, by

inviting children from nursery to play,

by helping in playgroup or nursery so

that you get to know their friends and

your child gets used to being with

other children.

Nursery to starting school

Some nurseries are on the same site as

infant schools which can help as your

child will be used to the building, see

familiar faces and be used to the

journey. Prepare your child for what

will happen in school, encourage their

independence. Talk to their teacher,

share information about your child that

may help. If your child has a problem,

talk to their school, they will be able

to help.

Find out as much as you can about the

schools near you. Go to open days if

you can. When you’ve decided which

schools you’re interested in, fill out the

common application form. You can do

this online or on paper. This needs to

happen in the autumn term a year

before your child would start there. Do

this by the closing date or you might

not get the school you want. You’ll

find out if your child has been

accepted by 31st March. If they

haven’t been given a place, you can

appeal against the school’s decision.

A choice advisor can offer you

independent support and guidance to

help you decide on the right school for

your child.

Give your child lots of support so it’s

easier for them. Make sure they know

what to expect. You might worry how

your child is going to cope with being

in a new environment. While you

probably feel excited for them, maybe

you also feel a little sad that your child

is growing up and doesn’t need you so

much any more. It’s natural to feel like

this sometimes.

Helping children and

parents cope

”

“

Your child may feel nervous and

insecure about the big changes.

They may say they feel too ill to

go to school, they might be angry

towards you or cry, too. These

feelings are all quite normal.

Start thinking about which

school you want your child to

go to well in advance. Contact

your preferred school and

arrange a visit.

If your child feels nervous, talk

about how you felt when you

started/changed schools. Explain

that it’s natural to feel like this

but that everyone’s in the same

situation.

If you’re feeling anxious about

your child starting school, try not

to let them see this. Be positive

about the exciting change. Talk

to your child and reassure them

about what’s going to happen.

This will help them feel prepared

about the next stage in their life.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 41

Help to support you

Types of services

that children and families need to receive if they are to

achieve their optimum health and wellbeing.

The Healthy Child Programme, led by health visitors, is

increasingly being delivered through services that bring

together children’s centre staff, GP’s, midwives, community

nurses and others. Children’s centres are a way of delivering

community based services and will help:

• support mothers and fathers to provide sensitive and

attuned parenting, in particular during the first months

and years of life

• ensure that contact with the family routinely involves and

supports fathers, including non-resident fathers

• support the transition to parenthood, especially for first -

time mothers and fathers

• support parenting using programmes and practitioners

who are trained

• supporting par

ents through providing timely and accurate

parenting information.

Early learning and childcare

Early years and childcare providers have a critical role in

supporting parents and families through the delivery of

high quality early learning and childcare in supporting

parents to understand the benefits of the early home

learning environment. They can often help parents to

access other help that they might need if they have

additional needs.

Children’s centres

These are at the hub of communities linking children and

parents to a range of services and activities provided by the

council with other partners. One of the key principles of the

centres is that family support services offered through them

are available to everyone in the community and are

sensitive to the needs of the most vulnerable and

disadvantaged groups. Parenting support is part of their

core offer to families and includes a range of universal and

targeted services. These include universal information,

advice and guidance, drop-in facilities, structured evidence

based parenting programmes, outreach services and home

visiting - giving special attention to those who need extra

help with their children. Crucially it provides that all

important informal opportunity for parents to meet and

chat with other parents and young children.

Schools

Every parent should know that they will be supported and

encouraged to play their essential role in their child’s

education. Schools play a crucial role in identifying needs of

families and ensuring these are addressed as well as

providing or facilitating service delivery directly such as

extended services. Extended services promotes the aim of

every school providing access to a full core offer of before

and after-school activities; for primary schools, childcare

from 8am to 6pm, 48 weeks a year, delivered on the

schools site or through other local providers; swift and easy

There are many services that are available for parents

provided by a number of people such as the council,

health services and the voluntary and community

sectors. This section should help give you an idea on

what is available. All this information is available on the

council’s website. Visit www.brent.gov.uk/childcare

Families Information Service

Local authorities are under a duty to provide mothers,

fathers and other carers with accessible information

about the services, support and advice available to help

them support their children up to their 20th birthday.

This is being delivered through the Families Information

Service, which acts as a central information point with

links to NHS provision, children’s centres, Jobcentre Plus,

schools, youth clubs, libraries and other facilities.

Health services

The Healthy Child Programme offers every family a

programme of screening tests, immunisations,

developmental reviews, and information and guidance

to support parenting and healthy choices - all services

access to specialist services; community use of facilities;

and parenting and family support. To meet the parenting

support as part of the extended services offer, schools

should provide:

• information sessions for parents of pupils joining

reception and on transfer to secondary school

• information about nationally and locally available

services and sources of advice and support

• access to par

enting groups using structured evidence

based parenting programmes, as well as more

information opportunities for parents to be involved

with the school and each other

• family learning sessions to allow children to learn with

their pare

nts.

Parent Support Advisers (PSAs) work with families in and

around schools, and with a broad range of organisations

that provide support to parents and families and can help

to deliver the extended services full core offer. The PSAs

role is to work with parents in a school context to support

their children’s learning; help improve behaviour and

attendance and overcome barriers to learning; provide

targeted preventative support and early intervention; and

increase the numbers of parents involved in their child’s

education.

CONTENTS PAGE

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 22/6/10 12:54 Page 43

Contacts

Useful national

Barnardo’s

www.barnardos.org.uk

Beating Eating Disorders

0845 634 1414

www.b-eat.co.uk

Child Accident Prevention Trust

(CAPT)

020 7608 3828

www.capt.org.uk

ChildLine

0800 1111

www.childline.org.uk

Contact a Family

0808 808 3555

www.cafamily.org.uk

Cry-sis Helpline

08451 228 669

www.cry-sis.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care

0844 477 9400

www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Dad Talk

www.dadtalk.co.uk

DrugScope

020 7520 7550

www.drugscope.org.uk

Families Anonymous

0845 1200 660

www.famanon.org.uk

Family Information Direct

www.dcsf.gov.uk/familyinformationdirect

Family Planning Association

0845 122 8690

www.fpa.org.uk

Family Rights Group

0808 801 0366

www.frg.org.uk

Kidscape

08451 205 204

www.kidscape.org.uk

Meet A Mum Association (MAMA)

0845 120 3746

www.mama.co.uk

National Domestic Violence

Helpline

0808 2000 247

www.womensaid.org.uk

http://refuge.org.uk

National Childminding Association

(NCMA)

0845 880 0044

www.ncma.org.uk

NHS Direct

0845 4647

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NSPCC

0808 800 5000

www.nspcc.org.uk

Parentline Plus

0808 800 2222

www.parentlineplus.org.uk

YoungMinds

0808 802 5544

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.immunisation.nhs.uk

www.nhs.uk/change4life

www.nhs.uk/start4life

CONTENTS PAGE

6552-Brent A5 0-5 BMPDF:Layout 1 21/6/10 15:31 Page 46

For local and national contact details call Brent Children and Families Information Service

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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