A Focus on Family Support: An Evening of Celebration
Tue, 11 Mar 2014 10:23:00 GMT
A celebratory evening was held on Wednesday 7 March 2014, as part of the Research in Citizenship and Applied Human Sciences (IRCAHS) 2013/14 Public Lecture Series. Entitled ‘Focus on Family Support’, the evening comprised of three short lectures focusing on the importance of family focused support, whilst celebrating the work of the Nationwide Children’s Research Centre (NCRC).
The evening was chaired by Mrs Sharda Parthasarathi, NCRC Trustee and NSPCC Manager in Bradford, who welcomed the audience and introduced the three speakers; Professor Nigel Parton from the University of Huddersfield, Professor Nick Frost from Leeds Metropolitan University and Martin Manby, Director of the NCRC from the University of Huddersfield.
The early years
The first presentation was delivered by Professor Nigel Parton and focused on the ‘Early Years’ of family support practice and how the Nationwide Children’s Research Centre originated.
‘Family support’ had become a new found interest during the mid-1990s both locally and nationally and this switch in focus on support changed negative interpretations of prevention (prevent the child coming to care), into positive interpretation (provide support to the child and their family). The NCRC was established in 1998 after discussions between a number of people from the University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, NSPCC Northern Region and Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority.
In 1997, it became evident that ‘family support’ would have a much wider and more significant role in future policy and practice when the Treasury established its Comprehensive Spending Review. This included the ‘Cross-Department Review of Provision for Young Children’, a series of seminars in 1998. The first seminar presentation by Dame Gillian Pugh entitled ‘Children at risk of becoming socially excluded: an introduction to the problem’, led to the establishment of Sure Start Centres in late 1998. This refocus subsequently led to other major developments including the establishment of the Children and Young People’s Unit (CYPU) and the Children’s Fund in 2000, the launch of the Prevention Strategy in the 2002 Spending Review, further expansion of Sure Start into Children’s Centres from 2003 and the launch of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme in late 2004.
Family support practice
The second insightful presentation was delivered by Professor Nick Frost, who opened his talk with a quotation from a Somalia mother attending a Children’s Centre, “I used to cry alone, now I have many shoulders to cry on”. This quotation was a testament to the support this mother had gained from her Centre and the feeling of belonging one can gain from such supportive practice.
Nick talked about the changes in practice that had occurred over the years, particularly with frontline staff and the qualities they must have. He suggested they should communicate clearly and share information, closer working partnerships with voluntary sector organisations could be developed and workforce development should be encouraged to improve knowledge and skills. Ultimately, a family support skill set should:
- Listen
- Support
- Be proactive
- Do with, not do to
- Have a range of personal skills
The underpinning approaches to practice should be reflective, community based, practical, offer emotional support and respond to diversity.
NCRC Family Support research
In the third and final presentation, Martin Manby, Director of the NCRC opened his lecture by explaining the NCRC’s main research themes, which included parental substance abuse, tackling domestic violence, supporting fathers and children in trouble, amongst others.
Martin touched on the change in family support principles as outlined in the evenings’ previous two lectures, stating family support principles should be strength based and take an empowerment approach, and that optimism of workers is key to positive change in families.
Martin then shared quotes from service users of multi-agency outreach teams including Health Visitors, Counsellors and local Community Workers. One example taken from the presentation was from a service user of Sure Start: “Sure Start gave me my respect and dignity; they keep the balance between helping and not invading my privacy”.
Another example was taken from a mother who needed support with her two year old daughter, after her three older children had been removed by Social Services. In the quote, she describes her 17 month relationship with her Community Support Worker: “She was trustworthy, like a friend; as an advocate at meetings with Social Services; and as a counsellor; a teacher (for example, helping to find ways of encouraging her daughter to eat); and as a professional… She talks to me and doesn’t talk down to me. She was a problem solver… really helpful, confidential”.
Martin also provided the audience with an insight into the COPING Project, which he was proud to be a part of. He explained how parental imprisonment causes child pain and loss, but many parents and some children still independently deal with their problems, whether this is due to sceptical distrust of ‘authority’ or not having access to any support at all.
Martin ended his presentation on a positive, sharing with the audience comments from the recent published ‘Listening to Families Project’. The publication includes 40 stories about violence, addiction, young parenthood, therapy, recovery and opportunities told by children and families testifying to the quality of support provided by local agencies: Action for Children, Lifeline/OnTRAK, Pennine Domestic Violence Group, WomenCentre, and Yorkshire Children’s Centre. One example was from a mother of three children, two of which were in care, who commented, “WomenCentre and Lifeline have been a great support for me for more than 20 years. They have always been there for me, no matter what stage I’m at. I have helped future adoptive parents as well”.
Insightful, fulfilling and inspirational
The audience listened intently throughout all of the presentations, proving to be insightful, fulfilling and inspirational. The evening concluded with some kind words from Sharda, who on behalf of the guest speakers and audience, thanked Martin for his contributions to the NCRC throughout its 16 years.
The next public lecture entitled, ‘The Politics of the First World War Centenary’ will be delivered by Dr Andrew Mycock on 18 June 2014 and will offer opportunities for the British public to commemorate the conflict of the ‘Great War’, as well as consider its legacies. Further information regarding the lecture is available through eventbrite where you can also book your free place online.
