Mediation And Community
Support Ltd (MACS)
enabling people to find workable solutions
in difficult situations in South Warwickshire
Parent Support
When parents are faced with a crisis and have to deal with a statutory agency such a school or social services, difficulties can often arise. Lack of knowledge about systems in the statutory sector, the frustration of being unable to break down barriers or communicate in a way which brings about positive change can lead to feelings of isolation and being unable to manage.
Both through the mediation and support work we can help parents to break these cycles, by helping them to understand their problems, identify their options and make informed choices, empowering them to tackle their difficulties in a positive way.
The skills that they develop, through taking part in mediation or working with the support worker, will build their confidence, their capacity to cope and allow them to have greater control of their own future.
Schools, social services and other agencies benefit from having well prepared parents with realistic ideas and collaborative problems solving.
Common issues involved:
- Young people’s behaviour at school causing concern.
- Young people being excluded from school.
- Parents not happy with schools responses to problems or provision for young people’s needs.
- Parents having difficulty communicating with schools, education departments or Social Services.
- Parents fearful of meetings with school staff or other agencies e.g. Social Services and their feelings of powerlessness.
- Parent’s concerned about young people’s progress in school.
- Parent’s concerned about young people being bullied.
- Parent’s lack of understanding of processes, procedures, policies etc., in education, Social Services and other statutory agencies.
How this service makes a difference
Through the provision of a support worker, trained in mediation skills and experienced in working with parents and young people the project offers:
- Help for parents and young people to clearly identify their problems and issues.
- Support in preparing realistic plans of action.
- Support to plan and prepare for meetings, governor’s hearings, appeals etc., and a worker to attend with them where required
- Advice on rights and expectations regarding education matters. (Workers are trained and receive ongoing support from the Advisory Council for Education)
- Help for parents and young people in developing strategies for improving communication and addressing issues.
- Help for parents and young people to develop skills which allow them to challenge without aggression, ensuring their views are listened to and taken seriously.
- Encouragement for parents and young people to work positively with schools and other organisations.
- Help for parents in ensuring that they are providing the support young people need to reach their full potential.
- A single key worker who can help and support parents and young people through a variety of issues, providing continuity and developing a trusting and productive relationship.
- Where it is clear that the worker is unable to offer the services a family needs, they will always endeavour to identify, signpost and help people to access the most appropriate services available for them.