Parent and Family Support Advisors (PFSAs) work with school-aged children and their families that require additional support. PFSAs work to enable high-quality support for children/young people and families at the earliest possible stage. PFSAs work closely and collaboratively with schools, families and other support services in order to improve attendance, engagement and outcomes for children. The needs of the child/young person or family form the basis of all work completed. Where there is a need for support from other services, PFSAs can act as Lead Professional. PFSAs are only able to engage in work with families with their informed consent and agreement.
Support is based on the needs the child/young person or family have at the time. Support plans are reviewed regularly to ensure needs continue to be met and that progress is made. They support parents with some of the everyday problems that they might be having with their children so that the children are happy to attend school and engage in their learning. The focus of a PFSA is to empower families to address various challenges and reduce problems and risks in their lives. PFSAs support parents with things like behaviour, attendance and health and can signpost families to more specialist support if it is needed. They are very good at getting families through tricky times and helping them to get things back on track.
PFSAs also offer support through a parenting programme – Tuning into Teens:
- To engage with parents/carers and families to provide early intervention, focused family support and guidance to increase engagement with the school and improve learning outcomes for pupils
- Provide advice and guidance to parents/carers to reinforce their self esteem and ability to provide good parenting
- To give targeted individual support on practical childcare and parenting skills, including meeting the emotional needs of children, consistent discipline, healthy eating and attendance
- Deliver an accredited parenting program, Tuning into Teens
- To work with parents/carers to identify why children are not achieving good attendance and assist in the implementation of measure to address this
- To work with appropriate school staff to develop action plans and undertake individual case work with families to support them in addressing issues which might be impacting on their child’s learning
- Promoting parental partnership and involvement in children’s learning and the life of the school
- To provide advice and signposting to enable families to access universal and targeted services including financial hardship, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, mental health and wellbeing, emotional support, drugs and alcohol, child exploitation, support for LGBTQ+, behaviour, racial awareness support and education, support for families affected by imprisonment, healthier lifestyles, sexual health services, eating disorders and much more
- To identify and break down barriers to parental involvement and proactively reach out to parents
- To liaise with other agencies supporting families and assist with referrals as appropriate
