This section outlines the work that Children in Wales does in relation to Parenting.

Parenting is an activity undertaken by those who bring up children. This includes mothers and fathers, foster carers and adoptive parents, step-parents, and grandparents. Local authorities also act as corporate parents for children and young people in their care. Children in Wales works on many levels to develop support for parents in Wales We work with the Welsh Assembly Government and other professionals to improve the support and information available to parents.

We convene three national multi-agency forums:

• Fforwm Magu Plant/Parenting Forum - currently comprising those working with children and their families in Wales, sharing expertise and good practice, disseminating relevant information and training. A Parenting Development Officer convenes the forum.
  
  
• Local Authority Parenting Coordinators Network - this Network give those who have a coordination role for parenting in their local authority a chance to meet up and share experiences, practice, worries and solutions.  The Network complements Fforwm Magu Plant but is specifically for Coordinators rather than professionals that provide parenting support more generally.
  
  
• Fatherhood Wales – promotes and shares good practice in the challenging field of engaging fathers.  It comprises those either currently working with fathers or who are considering it.  A Fatherhood Development Officer convenes the forum.
  

Enquiries concerning generic parenting work, Fforwm Magu Plant and the Parenting Coordinators Network should be directed to: Lucy Akhtar, Development Officer, Parenting Tel 029 2034 2434,E-mail: lucy.akhtar@childreninwales.org.uk. Enquiries relating specifically to fathers and Fatherhood Wales should be directed to: Tony Ivens, Fatherhood Development Officer, Tel 029 2034 2434, Email: tony.ivens@childreninwales.org.uk.

We host a range of events and training courses relating to parenting.  Details about these can be found in the Events and Training sections of this website.  The latest news relating to parenting can be found in the News section and details of policy developments in the Policy section . By selecting the Families and Parenting filter on the right hand side you can browse for a range of policy documents on this subject).  PDF versions of all Children in Wales’ publications on parenting can be downloaded from the Publications section.

For a majority of children the family home is where they will realise many of the rights laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child UNCRC.  Parents clearly have a pivotal role as guardians and advocates of children’s rights with a responsibility on the state to act as final guarantor.  The UNCRC itself recognises parents’ key role - Article 18 enshrines the rights of parents to receive support and identifies them as the people with primary responsibility for decisions relating to their children.

Fforwm Magu Plant

Fatherhood Wales - Work with Fathers

Information For Parents

Occupational Standards For Work With Parents And Family Learning In Wales

Grandparenting in Wales