In one of the most deprived inner-city areas of Bristol, the SFSC programme was introduced as part of a Young Mother’s Project targeting young mothers aged 16 to 24. The aims of this group were to:

• Create a flexible support system

• Improve parenting skills

• Enhance confidence, self esteem and health

• Develop links between young mothers from different ethnic backgrounds

• Improve access to mainstream services

• Increase involvement in education, training and employment.
   

The main barriers to involving and engaging young parents in parenting programmes identified by the SFSC Facilitators and Family Support Workers involved with this project were:

• The involvement of Social Services and an element of compulsion into parenting programmes
• Lack of funding
• Lack of confidence in ability to be good parents
• Stigma – drugs and alcohol
• Barriers for men – embarrassed

Possible solutions to overcome some of these obstacles:

• Size of parenting group limited to 8 -12.
• Could possibly do separate groups for men and women
• Let young parents know they can still be good parents
• Modify support literature to be inclusive for all parents – whether they live with their children or not
• Let parents know that the Programme Facilitators can write references for court cases on their request
• Promise confidentiality and let the young parents know SFSC facilitators are not reporting unless legally obligated to do so under the Child Protection Act.
• Involve foster parents (to help with positive discipline)
• Family nights for all involved
• Homework – try with children, if possible, or role play with peers
• Encourage parents back in to the project – group encouraged to come back as a group after the course for continued support.