2. How well are families supported?

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What success would mean

Parents – fathers as well as mothers – have access to the information, advice and support they need to do best for their children. Families which need more targeted help are identified and supported.

Well supported families are good for…

• Addressing inequality - Provision of childcare facilities is an important employment health attribute for women in particular. Access to affordable, local childcare is a major obstacle to women joining the workforce, particularly lone parents, who are among the poorest in Britain.¹
• Children and young people - single parents and parents with disabled children are more likely to have children living in poverty. Supporting the most vulnerable families is needed to address this.²
• Supporting the local economy - an organisation with an adaptable and flexible workforce is in a superior position to meet economic fluctuations, and, most of all, can directly impact upon a company's bottom line.

Examples of Relevant National Indicators

• NI063: Stability of placements of looked after children: length of placement
• NI080: Achievement of a level 3 qualification by the age of 19.
• NI106: Young people from low income backgrounds progressing to higher education.
• NI117: 16 to 18-year-olds who are not in education, training or employment (NEET).
• NI124: People with a long term condition supported to be independent and in control of their condition.

Case Study:
DayCare Trust Parents Champions

What is it?

• From August 2007 - March 2008, Daycare Trust ran a project called Parent Champions in three London Boroughs – Camden, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
• Aim - The aim was to trial the idea of developing ‘Parent Champions’ in local areas. The Champions would spread the word to other parents about the availability and advantages of accessing formal childcare, particularly to those in disadvantaged groups.

How does it work?

• Outreach - The project was run in conjunction with local delivery partners and managed to recruit 12 parent champions. They contacted 1809 parents between them and at least 75 began using childcare.
• Underlying approach - This project was based on the idea that parents, especially in communities where the use of childcare is not widespread, are well-placed to encourage other parents to use childcare.

What are the main impacts?

• Families supported - Increase in the take-up of childcare among disadvantaged group.
• More responsible, strong and cohesive communities - Parent champions benefited from their recognised leadership role.
• Addressing inequality - Disadvantaged parents were supported to access childcare and awareness of children in hard-to-reach communities was increased. Local delivery organisations developed their knowledge and ability to support disadvantaged parents in childcare issues.

For more information contact,
DayCare Trust
T: 020 7840 3350
E: info@daycaretrust.org.uk
Website

Footnotes
1. Daycare Trust 2004
2. As above