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CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:44 Page 2

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

also be tough and may be a little daunting at first. Every child 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 of 11-19 year olds.

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

from pregnancy

up to the age of

five

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:44 Page 3

Contents

About you as a parent/carer

All kinds of parents

Parenting roles and responsibilities

Being a good role model - domestic violence

Being a good role model - drug and

alcohol misuse

Help to support you - parenting

programmes

New to Brent

Keeping your child safe

Bullying and peer pressure

Child protection and childminding

E-safety

Keeping safe

Helping your child do the best they can

Achieving at school and work

Encouraging good behaviour

Healthy lifestyles

Young carers

Helping your child cope with changes

in their lives

Growing up

Moving out

Sexual health and teenage pregnancy

Separation and divorce

Stress and anxiety

Help to support you - types of services

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 4

All kinds of parents

I am lucky, I have my family around me. There

is always somebody to talk to and help out.

Your family is unique. Who is in your

family? How does it work?

Dif

ferent people handle change in

different ways.

Young people 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.

If you have a new partner it could be easy

for a child to feel ‘pushed out’.

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

Everyone acts 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

and young people cope and useful

advice on their website.

Teenage parents

If your child is a young parent, you’ll

also face extra challenges. All new

parents struggle at times, so try to give

the support and advice they need.

Their education may have to be cut

short, but help them with plans for the

future. Support them where you can in

enjoying some of the things that other

young people do.

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

access to 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 -

young people 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,

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. Talk to the school.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 5

Parenting roles and

responsibilities

I suddenly realised he wasn’t a kid anymore

but he wasn’t a grown up either. I try to be around

for support when he needs it.

Watching your child develop into a young,

confident adult can bring out mixed

feelings.

Even though they ar

e growing in

independence they still need your support.

The support you offer your teenager will be

different from the type of support they

needed as a child.

It can be difficult to let go.

The journey into adulthood can be

challenging and they may need your

support more than ever.

Watching your child develop into a

young, confident adult is amazing but

it can also be one of our biggest

challenges. They will still rely on you in

many ways and you are responsible for

their safety, health, education and

actions. Sometimes it can come as a bit

of a shock when your child starts to

develop and change into a young adult

and it can be difficult to ‘let go’. Of

course, you are still their parent and

they still need you.

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 until they

reach adulthood. 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. This will help them grow into

responsible, healthy and happy adults.

As your child develops into an adult your

roles and responsibilities will change.

You will be their role model, their friend

and their teacher. You are responsible

for their actions as well as for keeping

them safe and well. It can be

challenging to keep an eye on them at

all times but try to make sure you know

where they are and how you can contact

them. If they are out with friends make

sure they know how they will be getting

home, maybe you could take turns with

other parents to collect them.

As a young person they will be

exposed to different experiences. They

may be thinking about having sex,

drinking alcohol and they may have

been offered drugs or been tempted to

get involved in crime. Try to chat with

them and let them know you are there

for support and not to judge them.

Extra pressure around their studies and

exams can be a testing time for all.

You are responsible for making sure

they go to school every day.

Your job as a parent

”

“

Your child is developing into a

young adult and you feel you

have lost contact with them. You

are concerned about where they

go and what they do.

The most effective parenting

tool we have is the example we

set as good role models. Be there

to support and give advice when

they ask. Try not to judge them.

Your child still relies on you.

Find out more about Brent's

parenting programmes.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, it

can be a challenge for parents to

accept their child is growing into

an adult and becoming more

independent.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 7

Being a good

role model

My son has started showing aggressive

behaviour towards me. He has agreed it has to stop

and we are getting help.

Violence can affect families in serious and

long-lasting ways.

Domestic violence may teach them to use

violence.

Childr

en will often blame themselves for

domestic violence.

When violence occurs in families, alcohol

or drug misuse is often a cause.

Domestic violence towards parents is often

kept quiet. It is just as wrong.

Get help early to stop things getting worse.

Domestic violence is a crime and a

major social problem affecting many

families. Those who see, get involved

or hear violence are affected in many

ways. What is certain is that family

members do hear, they do see and they

are aware of violence at home. As they

get older your child may feel they have

to protect their parent and may become

physically involved.

Short-term effects

Children are affected in many ways

by violence, even after a short time.

These can include feeling frightened,

becoming shy and quiet, running

away, violence, behaving badly,

problems with school, poor

concentration and emotional upset.

Long-term effects

The longer they are around violence,

the worse the effects are on them.

These can include a lack of respect

for the non-violent parent, loss of

confidence, which will affect how they

form relationships in the future, being

over-protective of a parent, problems

with their education and running away.

If you are worried about domestic

violence, discuss it with someone else

you trust or contact the Domestic

Violence Helpline. If you are violent

and have children, you can seek help

to stop what is happening.

Domestic violence against parents

Children will learn how to act from

what they see their parents do. They

may feel they can do this because they

have seen a parent act in this way and

get away with it because nothing has

been done to stop such behaviour in

the past. They may not feel that there

are ways of dealing with problems

other than through violence. The

influence of friends (peer pressure),

alcohol and drugs can all play a part in

the way they react to situations. Stress

in other areas of their lives - their

education, or with friends may be

affecting them and leading them to hit

out at you. Try to work out what may

be causing the violence and learn to

recognise the warning signs. It is just

as unacceptable and must stop now.

Domestic violence

”

“

Any violence between adults will

affect children badly. Get

support and help as soon as

possible. The longer it lasts the

more damaging violence is.

Report your concerns about

yourself or someone else to the

police. If you are worried that your

child might be affected, talk to

them about what is happening.

Spend time together talking

through worries they have.

Children need time to talk about

the feelings they have about

violence. Children need to know

that it is not their fault and that

this is not the way it should be.

A violent partner must seek help

to stop their actions. Make sure

that you offer a good role model

for children so that they learn

better ways of acting.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 9

Being a good

role model

He comes home in the small hours. I can

hear him staggering around the house. I am quite

worried about him but he knows I am here if he

needs to talk.

Make sure you know about drugs and alcohol

misuse and their possible ef

fects.

Prevention is better than cure.

Parents who take drugs can seriously increase

the chances of their children taking drugs.

Peer pressure from their friends can make

them feel they should drink alcohol or

try drugs.

If you find out that your child has or

may have taken drugs, it can be

worrying. This can be due to your lack

of knowledge about drugs and not

feeling confident about talking about

them. It is vitally important that you

and your children are aware of the

potential risks of using drugs, alcohol

and volatile substances (e.g. solvents).

Some parents worry that talking about

drugs and alcohol can encourage their

use. Avoiding talking about drugs will

not protect them.

Make sure you discuss the risks.

Accurate information and support will

help them decide what to do. It does

not guarantee non-use but will increase

the chance of an informed choice.

How would I know?

There are many tell-tale signs, like

panic, being tense or drowsy, low

concentration, lack of energy,

depression, skin problems or

aggression. There may be a change in

relationships with family and friends,

a change in behaviour, a change in

performance at school or college,

changes in a financial situation and

personal possessions ‘disappearing’.

Why do young people use drugs

and alcohol?

Because they are curious about them,

they want to break the rules, if they

are feeling stressed, to cope with

difficult situations or feelings and

because their friends do it.

At this time in their lives there are so

many changes going on physically and

emotionally as well as added pressure

through study, homework and exams.

Young people can also turn to drugs

and alcohol if they are unhappy, being

abused or bullied. If drugs are around

at home or they see their parents using

them they are more likely to want to

try it themselves.

Drug and alcohol misuse

”

“

If their appearance, behaviour or

financial situation changes

dramatically you should include

drug and alcohol use in your list

of “I wonder if…” questions.

Observe and talk to them if you

are worried. If they are not in

immediate danger talk with

them about their drug or alcohol

use at another time when they

are not using.

Discuss alcohol and drug misuse.

Make sure you can give accurate

information regarding the risks.

Ensure that you are informed

about drug use and the effects

of different types of drugs.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 11

Help to

support you

I never realised there was such a wide range of

parenting programmes available.

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.

Parenting programmes we offer are:

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 childs 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.

Strengthening Families

This is a alcohol and drug misuse

prevention programme for young

people aged 10-14 years old. The aim

is to help reduced children’s behaviour

and conduct problems and prevent

substance misuse. This should help to

prevent any anti-social behaviour

problems later in life by increasing

both parents’ and children’s self-

confidence and self-esteem. Improving

parent-child interactions through

better communication by having clear

boundaries is very important.

”

“

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.

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

Parenting programmes

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 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.

It can be difficult for a young person to

move away from things they are used to.

Children from abroad help to enrich the

vibrant cultural life of Brent.

Make sure you register with a local doctor.

Find out more about local clubs and leisure

activities.

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

out about schools and higher

education. Brent School Admissions

Service and Connexions will be able to

help you. Going to clubs or sessions

will help them make new friends and

begin a new enjoyable learning

experience. Young people find it easier

to make friends if they have something

in common.

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 all

the family are able to understand

English to help them settle into

the community.

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 find out about

local schools and higher

education. Do not shut others

out - enjoy meeting new people

and seeing new places.

Try to chat to a least one new

person everyday.

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

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 15

Bullying and peer

pressure

She used to get horrible text messages from

her so called friends. I am glad she talked to me -

together we were able to put a stop to this.

Bullying behaviour is never

acceptable.

Bullying can take many forms.

Talk to them if you think they are being bullied.

Young people need ways to protect

themselves and seek help.

Encourage them to speak up.

Peer pressure is a form of bullying and can

bully a person into doing something they do

not want to.

If your child is the bully let them know this is

wrong and help them to stop.

What is bullying?

Bullying is deliberate, is intended to

cause hurt or harm, is repeated and

involves an imbalance of power. It can

be carried out physically, verbally or in

cyberspace - that means by text or

email. Bullying is a frightening

experience and it can isolate and

damage self-confidence.

What you can do if they are at

school:

• listen to them and discuss ideas on

how to sort the problem out

• plan what to do next together

•

refer to the school anti-bullying policy

• get them to write a bullying report or

keep a bullying diary listing all the

incidents and take it to the school

• meet with school to work out a plan

• if you are unhappy with the meeting

or the action taken by the school to

support your child follow the school

complaints procedure.

Cyberbullying is a method of bullying

and can be through text, instant

messaging or email messages. It can be

making insulting comments about

someone on the internet through a

website or through social networking

sites. It can also be through uploading

embarrassing videos or photographs of

them by people they trusted on the

internet or distributing them by mobile

phones. This is called ‘sexting’.

Advise them not to respond to the

message but save them or take a screen

print as evidence. There are ‘report

abuse’ facilities on

many websites.

Putting on the pressure

Many young people feel under

pressure to do things they are not

happy about because they don’t want

to stand out from the crowd. On a

more serious level, this might mean

staying away from school, trying

alcohol or drugs, becoming involved in

crime or going further with a boyfriend

or girlfriend than they feel ready to.

They may even feel pressurised into

joining a gang which can lead to

violence and crime. There is a hierarchy

within a gang which can replace

looking up to a parent.

The real story

”

“

Running away, staying away

from school, unusual changes in

behaviour. Injuries with no

feasible explanation. Loss or

damage of possessions.

If they say they are being bullied

- listen carefully and take this

seriously. If bullying takes the

form of texting or email save the

messages as evidence.

Tell them to refuse to put up

with bullying, walk away, tell

someone and avoid fighting.

Listen and be there for them.

Make sure they know something

will be done.

Talk to them about their school

day. Teach them to respect

others and to be kind. Teach

them that prejudice and bullying

is unacceptable.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 17

Child protection

and childminding

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.

Young people are best cared for by their

own families.

Professionals want to work in partnership

with families to reduce the risk of harm.

The Local Safeguarding Children Board

(LSCB) promotes the welfare of children.

When harm happens to young people

families also 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.

Child abuse can be recognised,

prevented or stopped

A young person can not always clearly

tell you what has happened. A careful

assessment is needed and what support

and protection will best help them. A

social worker will ask questions about

the family circumstances, consider the

frequency and the seriousness of the

incident and the affects. All of these

factors will help to decide what should

happen next. 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 young person 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 they 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,

seek help early.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 19

E-safety

My son spends a lot of time on the computer

but he knows how to stay safe.

The internet can be fun and is useful.

Have family inter

net rules to encourage

safer use.

It is important that parents understand

the internet.

Young people can be bullied online and

by text.

Chatrooms can be used to host bullying

campaigns against a person.

Sexual or embarrassing photos can end up

on the internet.

The internet is a fantastic way for

children to find information, help them

learn and keep in contact with friends

or meet new ones.

Keep it safe

Keep an eye on what’s going on by

keeping the computer in a family room,

rather than in a bedroom. Learn how to

use a computer, access internet sites

and try out a chatroom for yourself so

you understand what can happen.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Centre (CEOP) is an organisation which

has been set up to help

stop internet exploitation.

Social networking

The minimum age for most networking

sites is 13. Follow the terms and

conditions by not allowing children

under this age to have access to

networking sites due to the

inappropriate content on them. This

includes registered offenders, sexual

images, and abusive messages, which

are open access for most. Setting

privacy settings is not enough.

There are parental control settings

on computers, mobile phones, and

gaming consoles like PSP, Nintendo DS

and the Wii. This can be done by

visiting the ‘My account’ or ‘Settings’

option on most consoles. Parental

controls can prevent strangers from

contacting children playing video

games, on social networks and while

on msn, they can prevent children from

accessing inappropriate sites, or they

can monitor the use and time limits

while you are away from the computer.

Set ground rules

• limit time spent on the internet

• talk about age appropriate websites

• tell them to never give out contact

details or post photos of themselves

on the internet

• they should always let you know if

someone is asking questions or

wanting details they don’t feel happy

about giving

• ensure social networking profiles

are set to private so only friends

can view.

Make sure your child understands why

there needs to be rules. Because they

can’t see or hear the people they chat

to, they may not be who they seem.

New technology,

old problem

”

“

Secrecy when using the internet,

changes in their behaviour, and

unusual sexual questions.

Set up and stick to your internet-

use ground rules. Learn about

the internet and how to use it so

you can understand what they

are viewing and if it is suitable.

Discuss the dangers of using the

internet and unsuitable websites.

Make sure personal information

is not passed on to anyone else.

If they are worried they must

tell you.

Keep the computer in a family

room, with the monitor facing

outwards. Discuss which websites

they are visiting and make them

aware of the dangers.

• Brent Children and Families

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www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Keeping safe

My son is really good at letting me know

where he is going, so I don’t worry so much when

he is out and about.

Let your teenager know you are there if

they need you.

Agr

ee on a time for them to get home or

when you will collect them.

Teach them to trust their instincts - if they

feel uncomfortable about a place or person

tell them to walk away.

Remind them to protect their valuables and

keep mobiles and iPods out of sight.

Remind them never to walk around alone

at night or in isolated places.

If they can drive remind them never to

drink and drive.

It can be difficult finding the balance

between giving your teenager enough

freedom to gain confidence and

making sure they are safe. It might be

tempting to protect them by stopping

them going out anywhere, but this

won’t help. It’s better that they know

how to stay safe. That way, they’ll feel

more confident and you won’t have to

worry as much. It’s important you talk.

Out and about with friends

Always agree a time for them to return

or to phone you. Remind them never

to go off with someone they don’t

know, however convincing they seem.

It can be hard to keep track when they

are out, but giving them a mobile

phone or helping them with top-up

payments means they can call you if

they are in trouble, and you can at

least check that they are okay. Remind

them that it is safer to stay together

and only to use registered taxis. If they

go missing and you don’t know where

they have gone, contact the police.

Victims of crime

Tell them to keep valuable items (i.e.

iPods or mobile phones) out of sight,

as most things are stolen when they’re

being used or can be seen.

Remind

them never to walk around alone at

night or in isolated places and to trust

their instincts if they feel uncomfortable

about a situation.

Road safety

It’s easy to get distracted - if they are

listening to music or chatting to friends,

they will not be paying attention to what

they are doing or where they are going.

In the car

Tell them to be sensible. If they drive

they have a responsibility to keep

passengers, pedestrians and

themselves safe. When in the car they

must always wear a seatbelt, it's the

law where they are available.

Cycling

If they ride a bike on the road, it’s vital

they always wear a helmet (that meets

safety standards) and that they adhere

to the rules of the road.

Are they safe?

”

“

Watch out for signs that they

are at risk such as if they walk

around by themselves, especially

at night.

Make sure they know how to say

safe when they’re out. Always

know where they are and when

to expect them home.

Ask them to take sensible

precautions if they are out by

themselves. Talk about the risks

and dangers when they’re out and

how they can minimize them.

Teenagers need to know how to

stay safe. This includes keeping

valuables out of sight, staying

with a trusted group of friends

when out at night and keeping

to well lit places.

• Brent Children and Families

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www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Achieving at school

and at work

My daughter has decided to continue on to

further education. I am so pleased.

Getting a good education will make it

easier to find a job they enjoy

Support them and show an interest in

their studies.

Help them choose the right subjects.

Whatever decision they reach, support and

encourage them.

Apprenticeships and training offer really

good work-based experience.

The longer they spend in full or part-

time education, the better their job

chances are for the future.

While the choice of subjects and skills

taken is up to your teenager, there are

things you can do to back-up their

interest in education. Spending time

helping in their education will give

them the support they need to make

choices about learning. Take an active

interest in the subjects they have

decided to take and help with

homework or projects if you can.

If your child has a disability they will get

the extra support they need through the

special needs provisions in a mainstream

school. Your local council and health

service providers will help you assess

your child's special education needs and

help you find the best way forward for

their education. A small number of

children, depending on their disability,

may need more specialist support by

attending a special school appropriate

to their educational needs.

If your child continues to study after 16,

this is called further education. If they’re

16-19 years old, they might also be able

to get money for help in carrying on

with their studies, with an Educational

Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

They may want to leave school at 16

and get out into the adult world to

earn money. This may not be as easy as

they think. Unless they have a job try

to get them to think about staying on.

They can leave school on the last Friday

in June of the school year when they’re

16 years old. It is the law that young

people cannot leave school any earlier.

A new law is being introduced that will

raise the education leaving age to 17

in 2013 and 18 from 2015.

If they leave school at 16 years old try

to get them to apply for jobs that

also offer the chance to train.

Apprenticeships offer work-based

training so that they can learn while

on the job as well as earning money.

The Connexions service will help your

child to carry on with their education

past the age of 16, at school, sixth

form college or other colleges of

further education.

Encourage them to

keep learning

”

“

If you feel they don’t understand

how important education is,

explain that without qualifications

they’re less likely to find a job

they enjoy later on.

Take an active interest in their

education. If they are sure they

want to leave school, get them

to apply for jobs that offer

training or apprenticeships. They

may wish to look at higher

education, for example college

or university.

Try to get them to stay on in

further or higher education.

Discuss different job ideas, such

as apprenticeships or work-

related education and training.

Children who have a stable

home life and parents who take

an interest in their education and

future career tend to stay longer

in education.

• Brent Children and Families

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www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Encouraging good

behaviour

He recently started hanging around with a

new group of friends. Since then he keeps getting

into trouble. How can I help him?

Being positive can help with behaviour.

evention is better than cure.

Peer pressure and boredom are some

reasons given by teenagers for offending.

Brent Council can advise you about our

parenting programmes.

Having a Parenting Order against you means

you must legally agree to specific conditions

that the court has placed on you. It does not

mean that you have a criminal record unless

you do not follow the agreement.

Anti-social behaviour is a phrase used

all to regularly these days. There are

different sorts of anti-social or

challenging behaviour. Some of it

might just be described as high spirits.

Adults can often mistrust or even fear

young people and be quick to form

opinions. However, the behaviour of

some young people can be damaging

and frightening. We all have the right

to live without fear, that includes

young people too.

There are many causes of disruptive

behaviour. An unstable family life due

to violence or divorce may not help.

Living in an area with few things to do

and few family activities could be

another. Pressure from friends can also

be a problem with mates encouraging

them to join in. Problems at school or

bullying and peer pressure may also be

a factor.

It is a parent's job to provide the best

care they can for their child. This does

not mean you have to cope alone. We

have parenting programmes that can

help families with teenagers to stop

their challenging behaviour. Taking an

active interest in your child will help

them in every area of their life.

The Youth Crime Prevention Team is

managed by the Youth Offending Service

(YOS) and works with young people at

risk of crime or anti-social behaviour.

They also work with parents and carers

to avoid problems getting worse.

The YOS aims to stop young people

carrying out crimes. There are lots of

different staff which include social

workers, probation officers, education

workers, health workers, police officers,

substance misuse workers, Connexions

advisers and others. Together they work

with the whole family offering advice

and support to prevent the child from

committing further crime.

Positive parenting

”

“

Missing school or being in

trouble at school, stealing,

having unexplained amounts

of money, mixing with a bad

crowd, using drugs and/or

alcohol, rudeness or violence

towards you or others. Deal with

these signs as soon as possible.

Talk to them about their

behaviour, why they are doing it

and what action can be taken

to stop it. Do not feel you are

alone - there are parenting

programmes in place to help.

Try not to judge, but explain

that you want to help stop this

behaviour. Explain where this

behaviour could lead unless it

is stopped now.

Keeping an open relationship

and talking to them will help.

Young people from good family

homes are less likely to offend.

• Brent Children and Families

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Healthy lifestyles

We still try to do healthy things as a family.

On Sundays if the weather’s okay we go to the

park on our bikes.

Balance is the key to a healthy lifestyle.

If you eat mor

e calories than your body

burns, you will put on weight.

It is easy not to notice weight gain when

you see someone every day.

Act now, don’t let them smoke and protect

them from secondhand smoke.

Try to make sure they get plenty of sleep

and exercise.

What they eat

Make sure your family eats a good

variety of foods in sensible amounts -

balance is the key. Meal times can be a

really good time to sit down to eat,

enjoy food and socialise together as a

family. To get the best possible start to

the day, it is important they have a

good healthy breakfast. Setting a good

example is one of the best ways of

encouraging healthy eating habits. If

good healthy food is in the fridge they

will eat it.

Eating disorders can easily go

unnoticed especially when life is busy.

Try to take note of what they eat and if

they are missing meals regularly, losing

weight, over exercising and being

secretive with food.

Exercise

Food is used in our bodies to create

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

Encourage them to be as active as

possible. Getting fit need not be

expensive and it could be something

you could do together.

Sleep

We all need a good night sleep to be at

our best. Lack of sleep can impact on

behaviour and achievement at school or

college. Try to agree on a set time for

bed, especially on a school night.

Hygiene

During the teenage years hygiene

becomes more important. Encourage

them to use deodorant and shower

regularly as body odour becomes more

of a problem. Leave shower gel and

mouthwash in the bathroom for them

to use and make sure they visit the

dentist regularly.

Smoking and alcohol

If you smoke it is more likely your child

will smoke. If you smoke at home you

are exposing them to your secondhand

smoke. This is called ‘passive smoking’.

Most young people will want to try

alcohol. Try to get them to do this in a

controlled environment. Make sure you

know where they are and what they

are doing.

Looking after

their health

”

“

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 school nurse or doctor

for diet, exercise and general

advice on a healthy lifestyle. Make

sure your family eats a healthy

balanced diet. Go 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 family’s lifestyle. Do not

smoke.

• Brent Children and Families

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www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Young carers

He didn’t say anything, but I could tell that

having to look after me was having an affect on my

son. I made a few phone calls and found out that

more help was available.

Young carers are protected by the Children

Act 1989, Car

ers (Recognition and Services

Act) 1995 and Carers and Disabled Children

Act 2000.

The government and your local council

are there to help and will act once concern

is raised.

There are many types of support to help

you and your child cope with their caring.

You care about your young carer. So make

contact with support groups and

organisations that are there to help.

Many people need special care in their

homes. They may be ill, disabled or

elderly, or they may have drug or

alcohol problems. Care from a member

of the family can be a help. When the

carer is a young person it is very

important to make sure that they are

getting everything they need too.

If your child has any caring role, for

yourself or another member of the

family, it is very important that they do

not suffer because of their caring.

Most importantly, tell your local

department of social services about

this. You don’t have to cope alone,

they can help you both get the support

and advice you need.

Education

You will want them to do well in their

studies. Many young carers achieve

good results, but research has shown

that caring can have a bad effect on

education. They can be tired or miss

days in order to care for an adult at

home. To help stop this, it is important

that the school or college is told about

their caring role. This way they can

give them extra help if needed and will

understand and support them.

Health

Sometimes young carers can be so

busy looking after others, and parents

can be so unwell that the carers health

can be forgotten and they can become

ill, stressed or depressed. The best way

to avoid this is to get help from your

doctor. Let them know all about what

is happening so that they can give the

help and advice that you both need.

Independence and growing up

All young people need a social life and

friends of their own. Encourage them

to go out (make sure your partner or a

trusted friend knows where they are)

and enjoy life.

Extra support

Brent Council can give extra support to

carers. This can include special breaks

for carers and extra support services

for particular needs. There are also

many local and national organisations

set up to help young carers and their

parents. So make contact.

Too busy to enjoy life

”

“

Look out for signs that they may

be struggling with their caring

role. It is very important that you

talk and listen so you can take

action to help them cope.

Get as much information as you

can and find out what services,

support, benefits and advice are

available - you’re not alone.

Make sure Children and Families

Services know about what is

happening and keep them up

to date if things change.

Being a young carer could have

a bad effect on their health,

education and wellbeing. You

can help stop this by making

sure that they get the best

support and advice available.

• Brent Children and Families

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Growing up

My daughter is a typical teenager. She spends

most of her time with her friends and is very untidy

- but I guess that’s how we all were.

Listening is the key to a good relationship.

Growing up can be frightening for young

people so make sure they have the

information they need.

Puberty generally happens earlier for girls

than boys. It can happen gradually or over

a short space of time.

Hormones set of

f physical changes, mood

swings and changes in feelings.

Pressure from other friends to act in a

certain way can be powerful.

As your child begins to grow up and

develop into a young adult you have

an important role in helping them

understand the changes that they will

be going through. Growing up can be

a challenging time for all and a bit of

love and understanding goes a long

way. Let them know you are always

there to support them.

Sometimes it

can come as a bit of a shock when your

child starts to develop and change into

a young adult and it can be difficult to

‘let go’. Of course, you are still their

parent and they still need you.

Boy’s bodies can start to change from

around the age of ten with sexual

development soon after. Your son will

be developing into a young man. He

will need your support and trust but he

will also need some privacy, respect

and encouragement.

Puberty in girls can begin from around

nine years old. Your daughter will

probably have gone through puberty

and has developed into a young

woman. She will need your support

and trust but she will also need some

privacy, respect and encouragement.

Discussing matters such as friendships,

relationships and love are important.

This way, you know the information

they get will be fact and not based on

what they have picked up from their

friends. Be open-minded and do not

judge them, so they feel they can trust

you and turn to you when they need

help and support.

Friendships are very important to

young people. Having a close friend or

group of friends and belonging to a

group helps them feel good about

themselves, learn to deal with people,

and develop their own identity. This

also helps them learn about the values

and ideas of others.

Support your child by letting them

know they can talk to you. You can

teach them to trust their own feelings

and values, building up an emotional

strength that will help them as they

get older.

Changing times

”

“

Signs can include, mood swings,

arguments, talking back, an

‘over-the-top’ interest in hygiene

are all quite normal. As well as

coping with emotional changes

they will also have to deal with

physical changes.

Listening and talking to them

will help you understand what

they are going through.

Talk things through rather than

arguing. If they ask you questions

you don’t know the answer to

find out together, maybe you

could go on the internet. Don’t

be embarrassed, let them know

they can ask you anything.

The more information your child

has the better they will be able

to cope with the changes that

come with growing up.

• Brent Children and Families

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020 8937 3001

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Moving out

I’m excited for my daughter now that she’s

leaving home, she’s never really had to manage

money before so I’ve tried to teach her about bills

and the prices of things.

Communication is the key to good family

elationships.

Young people need to develop their

own identity.

When they decide to leave home try to

make sure they are ready.

Encourage them to stay in touch and call

them to check they are okay.

Let them you are always there for them.

It can be difficult for parents to let go

and it is only natural to be concerned.

Every child leaves home eventually. In

giving them responsibilities in their early

teens you are building up trust between

you. Let them start to make some of

their own decisions, too. Show respect

for their decisions (as long as they are

safe), even if you don’t agree with

them. Starting to do things for

themselves helps prepare them for

independence later on.

When your child leaves home it’s a big

step for both of you. They may be

going because further education (such

as college or university) is taking them

to another city or because of training

or work. This means your relationship

is moving on to a different stage. The

change may be exciting and difficult

for both of you.

Some young people don’t think twice

about the fact that their meals are

cooked, their clothes are washed and

ironed, their phone calls are paid for

and the house is clean. This is often

because they haven’t had to do it

themselves. When they move out it

can be a big shock for them to realise

that they’ve got to do all these things

themselves and they will probably not

know how much things cost.

There are lots of things you can do to

help them move towards and prepare

for independent living. Show them

how to do things like set up a bank

account, pay rent and bills, put money

aside for council tax, utility bills such as

gas, electricity, water and telephone.

Help them understand budgeting and

an idea of what things cost. Maybe

you could take them on the family

weekly shop where they can take a

note of prices and how they can

stretch their budget - look for two for

the price of one offers and bulk buys

they can put in the freezer.

They will probably not be living alone

and will need to adapt to the idea of

sharing a kitchen or bathroom with

others. Remind them to be considerate.

If you have had a close relationship this

need not change and you are still only

a phone call away. Invite them home

regularly or maybe pop over to their

place for a coffee.

Celebrate their

growing independence

”

“

If they are keen to leave home,

try to help them understand

what to expect when they have

to look after themselves.

Make sure they are ready for

living away from home. This

means learning how to budget,

how to cook healthy meals,

learning about keeping

themselves safe and learning

to live with others.

Get your teenager to talk about

any worries about living away

from home. Remind them that

if they get lonely they can

always call you and return home

for visits.

Talk to your child about leaving

home too soon or if you feel

they are too young to deal with

looking after themselves.

• Brent Children and Families

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020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

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Sexual health and

teenage pregnancy

My parents explained so little to me about sex, I

had to find out from friends and half of what they said

was wrong. I’m determined that my children know

exactly what to expect and learn about safer sex.

It is important that they learn about

elationships and love.

Talking to young people about sex can help

delay the age at which they first have sex and

they are more likely to use contraception.

Many Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

do not have any symptoms.

If left untreated some STIs can cause

problems with fertility.

Condoms help to protect against STIs and

pregnancy.

Young people receive many different

messages about relationships and sex.

They get information from TV, the

internet, magazines, friends and sex

and relationship education. Some of

this information will be accurate, other

bits will not. You have an important

role in ensuring that they learn about

relationships and sex and that the

information they get is accurate.

Even though it can be difficult to talk

about sex with your child, it is

important that you give them accurate

and sufficient information about

relationships and sex. Good

communication about relationships and

sex can help delay the onset of sexual

activity. Young people who talk to their

parents openly about relationships and

sex are more likely to practice safer sex

when they do become sexually active.

It’s important that they learn about

relationships, love, sex, STIs and using

contraception before they have sex.

Although the law says that both boys

and girls can have sex at the age of 16,

one third of young people under this

age are already having sex. Therefore it

is important to start talking to young

people from an early age to make sure

they are informed. They should know

that it is okay to say “no” to sex even

if their friends say that they are doing

it. They should also have information

on where to go for advice and support

and for testing and treatment.

How to tell them

Answer questions they have with

simple, clear, accurate answers. If you

are not sure about something they ask,

be honest - tell them you don’t have

the answer but that you are happy to

try and find out or maybe suggest that

you find out together. Use magazines,

the internet and TV programmes to

help bring up subjects and to use as

examples. Remember, there are plenty

of useful books and leaflets, as well as

websites for both parents and young

people that can help.

Communication is

important

”

“

Young people are starting to

have sex younger. By the time

you see the warning signs it may

be too late to give them the help

they need. Make sure they learn

about sex early on.

Get advice from leaflets, books

and websites - the more you

read the more comfortable you

will be talking to them about it.

Rather than having a one-off talk

about sex, STIs and relationships,

it may be better to have regular

chats, like when doing the

washing up, for example.

The more they know about sex,

the longer they are likely to wait

and to use contraception.

Most young people want their

parents to talk to them about

sex, so be ready.

• Brent Children and Families

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020 8937 3001

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Separation and

divorce

I now know how much my son struggled with

our break-up. We should have talked to him more

about what was going on.

Separation can be as upsetting for your

childr

en as it is for you.

Talking helps them understand what will be

happening in their lives.

Let them know you will both still be there

for them.

Try not to talk your child into taking sides.

When a relationship breaks down it is

hard for the whole family. While you

may think it is kinder to try and protect

your children from the details, the

truth is that the more they understand

what is going on, the easier they will

find it to cope.

If possible, have both parents there

when you explain what’s going to

happen and why. Try not to fight in

front of them and make clear that

even though you will be living apart

you will both be there for them

whenever they need you. They may

have mixed feelings during this time

including feeling hurt, confused and

unloved. You both need to be patient

and understanding of their needs as

well as your own.

Children often think that their parents

breaking up is somehow their fault and

that they’ve done something wrong.

They may also feel that if they do things

differently in the future you may get

back together. They need to understand

that what’s happened is not their fault.

While most children want contact with

both their parents, a young person can

view what’s happened differently and

may blame one of you for the break-

up. You may find your child taking the

side of one parent. Hopefully, this will

pass and by explaining the facts, a

good relationship can be kept with

both parents.

Learning to listen

Talk to your children and listen to what

they have to say. How you handle the

break-up is important for their

wellbeing. Try to get them to talk them

about their feelings and involve them

in making choices about the future. As

well as feeling like they are losing a

parent in some way, they may also be

worried that they will have to move

house or change schools, so tell them

about what may need to happen. Talk

to them about who they will live with,

where and what other changes may

happen to help them deal with their

own feelings.

It’s not their fault

”

“

Saying bad things or fighting

with your partner in front of

your children is only going to

hurt them. Try to keep calm

when talking about what’s going

to happen as how you handle

things will have a big impact on

their future.

Tell them about what’s happening

and how it will affect their lives.

Show them that their wellbeing is

important to you both by listening

to their feelings and wishes.

Explain to your child that the

break-up is nothing to do with

things they may have said or done.

Always give them a chance to talk

about their feelings and worries.

Talk to them so they understand

why you are breaking up and

how this will affect their lives.

Let them know that both of you

will do what you can to keep

their lives as normal as 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

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 39

Stress and anxiety

I know he’s got a lot to cope with, what with

his exams coming up as well as splitting up with his

girlfriend. We are always here, he knows that.

Young people feel stressed for many reasons.

Being bullied and par

ents divorcing are two

of the most common causes of stress.

Sometimes parents don’t realise they are

putting too much pressure on their child to

do well.

Pressure on them from other young people

to act in a certain way can be powerful.

Family support is important but be prepared,

they may turn to their friends first.

Sometimes young people get stressed

and anxious and there may be many

reasons why this happens.

These can include:

• they are being bullied. Feeling in

danger every day can gr

eatly affect

anyones state of mind

•

they are not getting on well with their

friends. It’s natural to want to fit in

and falling out with friends can seem

like a really big deal to them

•

they are anxious about leaving school

or returning after the holidays

• a family member, friend or pet has

died. Sometimes young people can

blame themselves for these things

• they may feel anxious if their parents

divor

ce or even just fight. When they

see their parents arguing it can

damage their sense of security and

can make them feel very alone and

frightened

•

some worry about schoolwork, tests

or exams. It’s normal to want to see

your child do well, but some parents

may not realise that they are putting

too much pressure on them

•

being abused at home.

Sometimes, family members overhear

parents talking about money worries

or problems they are having at work

and they start to feel anxious about

these things themselves.

Be aware that many teenagers feel

under pressure to do things they are

not happy about because they don’t

want to stand out from the crowd. A

young person can easily feel anxious

about their appearance. It is normal for

them to want to look their ‘best’ but

look out for things like dramatic

weight loss which may be a sign of an

eating disorder. Some girls feel they

need to be thin to be liked and this

causes anxiety.

You will probably be able to spot the

signs and help them when they feel

stressed. If their anxiety goes on for

longer than a month, or if it greatly

affects how they are at home or their

behaviour at school, you might want

to speak to your doctor for help.

Emotional wellbeing issues can affect

young people and need to be treated.

Helping them cope

”

“

Mood swings, trouble sleeping,

nightmares, trouble doing

schoolwork, stomach aches,

headaches, preferring to spend

time alone, overreacting to

minor problems.

Make sure they get enough

sleep and healthy food. Exercise

can reduce stress, so encourage

your child to exercise.

Talk to them about what is

causing their stress. Tell them it

is normal to feel stressed now

and again, but it is also good to

know how to relax and make

themselves feel better when

they’re upset.

Make time every day so they

know they can talk to you if they

are worried. Look ahead to

when they may be stressed e.g.

before tests or interviews and

talk about it.

• Brent Children and Families

Information Service (CFIS) on

020 8937 3001

www.brent.gov.uk/parenting

WARNING

SIGNS

ACTION

WHATTOSAY

PREVENTION

CONTACTS

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 Page 41

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 Services

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

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 parents through providing timely and

accurate parenting information.

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 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 parenting 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 parents.

Help to support you

Types of services

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

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 14:42 Page 43

Contacts

Useful national

ADFAM

020 7553 7640

www.adfam.org.uk

Advisory Centre for Education

(ACE)

0808 800 5793

www.ace-ed.org.uk

Ask Brook

0808 802 1234

www.brook.org.uk

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

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

FRANK

0800 77 66 00

www.talktofrank.com

Kidscape

08451 205 204

www.kidscape.org.uk

Missing People

0500 700 700

www.missingpeople.org.uk

National Domestic Violence

Helpline

0808 2000 247

www.womensaid.org.uk

http://refuge.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

Turning Point

www.turning-point.co.uk

YoungMinds

0808 802 5544

www.youngminds.org.uk

CONTENTS PAGE

6554-Brent A5 11-19 BM:Layout 1 22/6/10 11:45 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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