Parents praise Warwickshire support service
Parents have praised a Warwickshire service offering support in dealing with their teenagers.
Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service runs a programme called Parents Matter, which is open to any parents of young people aged 10 to 17-years-old living in the county.
It aims to prevent offending and anti-social behavior within and outside the home by arming mums and dads with the skills to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour; constructive supervision and monitoring of young people; setting and maintaining boundaries; and communication.
Every year, participants are surveyed about how useful they have found the service and whether it has made a difference to life at home.
Dozens of mums and dads – using Parents Matter or the Family Intervention Project - took part in a phone survey last week with the vast majority finding the service had a positive or very positive impact on their life (almost 90 per cent).
Comments included: “The parenting work saved my life” and “I’m feeling more confident about setting boundaries”. In addition to: “It’s absolutely fantastic…it’s helped be through my depression” and “I wouldn’t be sitting in my own home if it wasn’t for the service.”
Vicki Barnes, Team Leader (Parenting) for Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service, said: “As it is National Parents Week this week, it is important for mums and dads to realise there is support available when dealing with their teenagers.
“Parents Matter is a great example of this as it can help improve family life during what can be a challenging time for some and the results of our annual shows how well we are achieving that.”
Parents can self-refer to the service or can be referred by external agencies. These sessions may be practically based or offer emotional and behaviour support in working towards new or improved parenting skills.
Parents Matter staff currently offer parents and families support on a one to one basis or through group work. This is a countywide service on offer from YJS offices in Nuneaton, Rugby and Leamington.
To make a referral or for more information, please contact Vicki Barnes on 01788 331256 or 01926 476920.
To find out more about Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service or for further details regarding parenting programmes including Parents Matter, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yjs.