What we will do:

• Refresh of 'Handling Teenage Behaviour' training

• Review referral processes for Parenting opportunities

• Support preparation and sustainability for parents attending parenting programmes - Roll out Psychology of Parenting Programmes (PoPP) approach

• Continue focus on universal and targeted programmes of parenting including Mellow Babies and Incredible Years

What are the plans and structures that support us to succeed?

• Community Planning Parenting Strategy

• Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework Update

• Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy

progress made

West Dunbartonshire Council supports parents health and wellbeing and develops their parenting capacity through delivery of a range of parenting programmes and support such as:

• Handling Teenage Behaviour Training;

• Continuation and roll out of Psychology of Parenting Approach;

• Connecting with Parents training for parenting workforce;

• Production of a Parents Voice film to promote parents voice work;

• Continued focus on universal and targeted programmes of parenting including Mellow Babies and Incredible Years;

• Health workers continuing to deliver individual Triple P sessions to families who were not ready to join a parenting group;

• Outreach workers and YFSW support for 1209 families with 1-1 support and advise over the period 2019 -20;

• Implementation of actions from the national Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People 2016-2026 Strategy (PPYP);

• Implementing the Quit Your Way Pregnancy Service Financial Incentive trial programme for smoking cessation in pregnancy.

• Alterations to the referral processes for Parenting Opportunities to provide more targeted information.

popp- Psychology of parenting programme

Development of the POPP programme has supported staff in preparing and sustaining parents attending parenting programmes.

All Popp practitioners have been supported through regular coaching and mentoring sessions to reflect on how to support and maintain attendance at parenting groups.

Connecting with Parents training has been provided for the parenting workforce which helps upskill staff in how to reach our most vulnerable families.

Our Parents Voice film was completed and disseminated to help support the recruitment to parenting groups. Our PoPP practitioners are in the process of delivering support to parents in group format using digital platforms. The strongest evidence base for parenting support is based on social learning theory – parents gain most from learning from each other and realising they are not alone, hence the importance of bringing families together wherever possible to support each other.

Incredible years & Mellow Babies

We have continued our focus on universal and targeted programmes of parenting including mellow babies and incredible years.

Supporting the roll out of the Incredible years parenting programme continues to be the focus of the parenting workforce.

Over 2019 -2020 groups were established but discontinued due to the pandemic

However the parenting workforce kept in touch to support vulnerable families who had started a group by establishing whatsapp groups to support and share advice and support during the pandemic

Coaching and mentoring some families through the online Solihull parenting approach was piloted during lock down .

Health workers continued to deliver individual Triple P sessions to 28 families who were not ready to join a parenting group.

Outreach workers and YFSW supported 1209 families with 1-1 support and advise over the period 2019 -20.

Feedback data from parents has indicated positive impact on parents and children for the parenting approaches each family has accessed

Refresh Handling Teenage Behaviour Training

Staff have been offered refresh training. Groups have continued to run every session.

Refresh of Autism Strategy is underway

The roll out of services to children and families affected by Autism has continued to develop over the course of the session with demand for assessment and diagnosis increasing

Between Jan 17 and end March 20 – SCS accepted 614 referrals for an ASD assessment . This is demonstrative of a continual upward trend.

For the under 5s – on average 68% received a positive diagnosis and for the over 5s 73% received a positive diagnosis.

SLT continue to collaborate with colleagues in Education to provide advice, support and training to schools and also offer Social Communication Parenting groups.

The review of the strategy has been delayed because of change in personnel with the interface with adult service still being the core area requiring review.

Education and Speech and language staff have collaborated in rolling out training and assessment of the SCERTs framework for supporting children with ASD at home and in school this will be a major piece of work going forward.

Going forward , additional workforce capacity and skill mix is required to cope with the increasing demand in referrals and developments in Multi agency post diagnostic support are required across the Local Authority area.