News > Our Newsletter > Family Focus February 2012
Family Focus February 2012
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| For those who work professionally and voluntarily with families To subscribe to this newsletter, email info@familyandparenting.org News ‘Payment by results mustn’t hurt services’
The Voluntary Sector needs to help ensure that ‘payment by results’ does not threaten the existence of core services for vulnerable families, says a new briefing paper launched by the Family and Parenting Institute in partnership with The Children’s Society. The briefing paper highlights the importance of voluntary sector organisations engaging in the latest developments around Payment By Results – a way of funding services on the basis of the results they achieve, rather than on the cost of the activities or outputs they deliver – currently being explored in relation to work with children’s centres and troubled families. Click here to learn more. The Family Justice System – what the change could mean
Significant reforms to the Family Justice System have been announced this month which the Government believes will ‘tackle delays, streamline processes and rebuild trust.’ The reforms caused a flurry of national media attention due to inclusion of a new legal principle emphasising the importance of shared parenting after couples separate. The Family and Parenting Institute welcomed the Government’s reaffirmation that the welfare of the child should remain the paramount consideration in the family justice system but FPI also cautions that an emphasis on shared parenting could in some cases threaten child welfare. See here for the Government’s announcement and see here to see FPI's response. | Family Policy Digest The items in this month’s digest (covering February) include: the report of the Health Committee on social care; a range of publications on internet safety, including: universal guidelines for providers and a parent and carers’ guide to the internet; systematic review research evidence on the impact on local authorities of the current cuts and latest research on employee expectations, in particular around flexible working. Click here to read more. | Family Sector Calendar See our calendar of seminars, conferences and other events for those who work professionally or voluntarily with families. Do you have an event you would like to appear on this calendar? Send brief details to info@familyandparenting.org | Noticeboard Save Child Benefit!
From 2011, the Government froze levels of Child Benefit and in 2013 will withdraw Child Benefit from higher rate tax payers, undermining the principle of universal support for children. The Save Child Benefit campaign is asking the Government to restore Child Benefit rates, and for Child Benefit to remain a universal benefit for all children. The Child Poverty Action Group is leading the campaign. Do you work with families with teenagers?
...Are they already looking for ways to keep their 16-year-old busy over the summer months? National Citizen Service is an exciting four week full time summer time course, including two weeks spent away from home in a residential setting. Those taking part will learn new skills, build confidence, try challenging new activities and volunteer. Up to 30,000 places are available across the country and it costs £50 or less. Further information and sign up details are available here. Nappies and nominations
Nominations are now open for the fifth annual NCT Stars Awards, sponsored by Pampers. The Awards recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who make the charity’s services available to parents and parents-to-be throughout the UK. Enduring love
The Enduring Love project is a two year study based at The Open University that is looking at how couples think about and experience their long-term relationships. It will examine the emotional and practical ‘relationship work’ that people do to keep their relationships going and the ways that social policies and popular culture shape what it means to be a couple. Have your say and let us know how your relationship works! You can complete the questionnaire here. Troubled families lecture
A lecture is taking place in London this month on how the Voluntary and Community Sector can best support the Government’s Troubled Families Strategy. Anne Marie Carrie, CEO of Barnardo’s, will speak alongside Louise Casey of the Troubled Families Unit within the Department for Communities and Local Government. The lecture takes place on Tuesday February 28. Click here for more information New website helps parents report unsuitable media content
ParentPort was launched in October to make it easier for parents to complain about material they believe is inappropriate for their children. It could be a programme on TV or online, a film, an advert, a video game or something in a magazine. Visit ParentPort here. Growing our Strengths – free workshops
Two groups of free workshop events are being held during March as part of this project, in which FPI is a partner. The project is providing practical, tailored support to VCS organisations engaged in early intervention activity with children, young people and their families. The first group will focus on developing effective relationships with vulnerable parents to improve outcomes for children and young people. The other has a wider focus, looking at what works best in early intervention and highlighting a range of ways in which VCS services can evidence their impact and demonstrate their contribution to the attainment of better outcomes. The events are taking place in London (7th and 20th March); Bournemouth (7th March); Birmingham (13th March) and Bristol (14th March).
For full information and booking details please contact James McCarthy at Action for Children: James.McCarthy@actionforchildren.org.uk. | | |
