Enhancing relationships with parents and carers of children and young people

An important role when supporting children and young people is to consider the wellbeing and role of the system around that child or young person, particularly the primary context and carers for that child or young person.

The vast majority of parents or guardians care about their children and young people and have their best interests at heart. The home context alongside key family relationships can have a significant impact upon the wellbeing of a child and young person, as well as playing a pivotal and positive role in supporting the intervention work of practitioners. This highlights the important need for practitioners to reflect upon how to work effectively with parents in a positive, respectful and collaborative manner, and to strengthen the skills needed to enhance this relationship.

Parents or guardians may experience a range of difficult emotions and thoughts in relation to their child or young person’s behaviour and struggles, particularly those linked to their mental health and emotional wellbeing. As adults with primary care responsibilities for children and young people, they may be feeling increasingly distressed and confused, perhaps uncertain about their role in supporting their children and young people, or finding it difficult to communicate with their child about their wellbeing and feel frustrated and ‘outside’ of professional decision-making about their child.

In addition, some parents or guardians experience their own challenges, and as such may have reduced capacity and ability to support their child. This may include parents who struggle with a range of vulnerabilities (such as experiencing their own mental health challenges, difficulties with learning and communication, or financial and housing adversities).

It is vitally important as practitioners that we are sensitive to the needs and demands of the primary adults of the children and young people, and mindful that they might also benefit from help and support in their own right. This may be through sharing of resources and information to build the parents or guardians’ knowledge and understanding of their children and young people’s needs, or if appropriate with consent from the parent or guardian, for a referral as an adult for specialist support themselves. In this way, by strengthening the system around the child or young person we are indirectly supporting and enhancing the care and living context for them.

Sometimes parents and carers of children and young children ask practitioners for signposts to help develop their learning and understanding. Always look carefully at any resources you recommend to make sure it is relevant, appropriate, and informed by best practice recommendations. The following link is an example of a resource recommended by NHS England that could be helpful to share with others: SilverCloud.