Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities

The Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) parent education programme is a community based programme specifically designed to promote some of the protective factors associated with ‘good parenting’ (developing close and warm relationships between parents and children; using methods of discipline that support self-discipline in children; fostering self-esteem of children; developing strategies to deal with risky situations; managing anger). At the same time SFSC deals with the factors in parenting that are associated with increased risk (inconsistent parenting; harsh discipline in an overly critical environment; limited supervision; isolation and lack of knowledge of community resources). Importantly, the SFSC approach emphasises that parenting is impacted by the local environment (for example the availability of good schools) and that parents should play an active role in shaping this environment by engaging with community resources.

The SFSC parent programme is based on a strengths based ‘facilitative model’, which aims to raise the consciousness of parents. In addition, the curriculum aims to help families develop or promote: strong ethnic and cultural roots; positive parent-child relationships; a range of life skills; self esteem, self-discipline and social competence; and an ability to access community resources.

SFSC achieves its aims through a range of methods, which include:

• providing parents with information to empower them
• developing anger management and positive discipline techniques
• providing a cultural framework to validate the historical and family experiences of different ethnic groups
• decreasing isolation by helping parents to connect to community resources

The programme is structured into 12 three-hour sessions (plus an orientation session) taught in consecutive weeks. It is run with between 8 and 15 parents. The SFSC programme is now accredited through the Open College Network. This enables those facilitators who want to, to support parents in developing a portfolio and gaining qualifications and credits for participating in the programme. Parents may use the credits when returning to formal education or applying for jobs.

Single Parent Action Network

Since 2005, with the support of The Race Equality Foundation and The Parenting Fund, Single Parent Action Network has managed the SFSC programme in the South West. In this area we have successfully worked in a range of settings and with different populations, including urban and rural areas, peripheral estates and coastal towns. Parents attending the programme include:

• single parents

• young parents
• parents of teenagers
• Muslim women
• BME groups
• parents in recovery (drug & alcohol)
• parents in contact with Social Services
• refugees & asylum seekers
• parents in communities in conflict

SFSC programmes have been run through a range of different agencies. These include, Youth Offending Teams, Social Services, Education Departments, Sure Start and On Track. In the South West SFSC has been run by Cornwall One Parent Support, Afro-Caribbean Association - Gloucester, Barton Hill Settlement - Bristol, Full Circle - Bristol, SPAN Study Centre - Bristol, Bannerman Road Children’s Centre – Bristol, Clubhouse Bournemouth, Devon Racial Equality Council, Family Education Development Trust – Exeter, NCH Family Centre – Taunton, Health Visitors Bournemouth PCT, Open Doors – Plymouth, Mutley Greenbank Trust – Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support.

Facilitator Training

In order to deliver the programme, facilitators undergo substantial training lasting five days. In this, facilitators learn the programme concepts and are introduced to a step-by-step guide. The training is experiential and facilitators explore the impact of culture and values on how they were raised and on their own child rearing attitudes and behaviour. Facilitator training is followed by additional training days and peer support meetings throughout the year.

For further information please contact Annie Oliver or Tove Samzelius at Single Parent Action Network, tel. 0117 951 4231, email tove@spanuk.org.uk To find out more about the programme see the raceequalityfoundation