Children & Families Team -
Parent Charter

The Parent Charter was developed by representatives from the Parenting ICG, including parents, and is intended to give some guidance about the kind of standards services should aspire to when working with parents. It also gives parents some guidance on the kind of questions they might like to ask when accessing a service to make sure they are happy with the service.

Alongside the Parent Charter there is a Self-Assessment Form for organisations and parents to complete so that they can identify any areas that might require further training or resources to meet the standards.

An initial mail-out has provided a base from which we are developing training opportunities and sharing issues around resources with strategic managers.

We are currently working in partnership with the children’s centre to support them in achieving parent charter status and if any organisations are interested in receiving this status please contact Lesley Boughey.

If you would like further information please contact Lesley Boughey – Engagement Service Manager / Parenting Expert on 01782 683080 or lesley@vast.org.uk

As a parent you can ask questions to find out whether an organisation or service meets the Parent Charter. You might like to ask…

• Are all your staff and volunteers CRB checked?
• How will I be kept informed or consulted about how the service is developed?
• Do you have a First Aid box/book?
• Do you have a Child Protection Policy and can I have a look at it?
• How often is the information you give out to parents updated?
• Do you have a complaints procedure and canI have a look at it?
• How do you make sure your service is constantly improving?
• How do you involve parents?
• Who runs the service?
• How will you work with me if you feel something is not going well? How will you work with me if I feel something is not going well?
• Do you have any ‘rules’ that I need to know about?
• Do you have a ‘Parent Forum’?

Any organisation should be willing to answer your questions and give you information to help you decide if you want to access the services offered.

Downloads:

Parent Charter Leaflet - PDF download