KidsMatter - Australian Primary Schools Health Initiative

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Author(s): Parenting Research Centre
Date of publication: Revised Edition 2006
Website: www.parentingrc.org.au

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Aim(s):

AusParenting in Schools is a school-based parenting and family information, support and prevention strategy for primary schools.

It aims to promote the wellbeing and resilience of children and their families by helping schools to:

• Strengthen family-school partnerships
• Encourage family involvement in their children’s education
• Provide parenting information and resources to all families in the school community

Target group:

The AusPareting in Schools program is designed for families of primary-school aged children, particularly families of children entering into prep (kindergarten) grade, as well as primary school personnel.

Designed for, or demonstrated applicability to, special groups:
AusParenting in Schools provides information, resources and professional development to school personnel around working with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as vulnerable families experiencing difficult circumstances.

Program content and components:

AusParenting in Schools provides a framework and comprehensive training to support schools to: (a) strengthen family-school partnerships; (b) encourage family involvement in their children’s education; and (c) provide parenting information and resources to all families in the school community. The program covers:

• The use of the overall framework
• Building Partnerships with Families: professional development activity for school personnel
• Training for school professionals to provide a Transition to Primary School parent program

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Identified theoretical framework:
The program is based upon research-informed guiding principles for working with parents and families: including strengths-based approaches, collaboration and problem solving, and the promotion of self-regulation.

The AusParenting in Schools Framework is underpinned by theory and research into family-school partnerships and the parent involvement process, recognising the importance of a range of school, parent and family factors in shaping and maintaining parent involvement in children’s education.

The content and delivery of the professional development activities for school personnel has been informed by research into teachers’ professional development needs in working with families.

Finally, the delivery and implementation of AusParenting in Schools is based on research into the effective implementation of whole-school family partnership programs.

Evidence of effectiveness:
(according to criteria developed by CASEL for rating program effectiveness)

No evaluations were submitted that met the inclusion criteria.

To date, no evaluation studies meeting specified criteria have been published. However, the Parenting Research Centre is currently undertaking a randomised controlled trial of AusParenting in Schools with 20 primary schools. It is anticipated that the evaluation will be completed by 2009.

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Program structure:

AusParenting In Schools Framework Training
Training sessions conducted by the Parenting Research Centre for leadership staff provides schools with:

• A rationale for the key elements of AusParenting
• An opportunity to review and actively plan to build upon current practices to strengthen family-school partnerships, and provide parenting information and resources

Building Partnerships with Families Training
Training sessions conducted by the Parenting Research Centre for all school staff, provides school staff with:

• An understanding of guiding principles of building strong partnerships with families
• Information and skills training to provide information, resources or referrals to families
• Information and skills training about specific issues (eg., notifications, working with other professionals, dealing with angry parents, parents with substance use or mental health problems etc.)
• An understanding of the importance of ongoing professional development opportunities and support for teachers

Transition to Primary School Parent Program
The aim of this four-session parent program for all parents of children starting Prep, is to assist parents to address practical and developmental issues relevant to their parenting at this time in their children’s lives. The option for school staff to co-facilitate these sessions with a representative of the Parenting Research Centre may be available.

Staff professional learning (PL):
Professional development activities for school personnel are one of the key components of AusParenting in Schools. This training aims to resource school personnel to work effectively with families.

Training is provided by the Parenting Research Centre, for schools both within Victoria and interstate. There are no pre-requisites for training. The length of time required varies for different aspects of the program.

• AusParenting in Schools Framework Training – for Leadership staff: a 4-hour workshop
• Building Partnerships with Families Training – for all school staff: a 6-hour program, which is offered flexibly, e.g. a one-day workshop, two half-day workshops, 3 x 2-hour sessions
• Transition to Primary School Parent Program – a 2-hour training session for at least one staff member

Program costs:

The cost of program materials and training can be provided upon request. Program materials include:

• AusParenting in Schools Resource Manual
• AusParenting in Schools Transition Manual
• AusParenting in Schools Building Partnerships with Families Professional Development Participant Notes

About the author(s):

The Parenting Research Centre is a research and training organisation committed to developing and disseminating effective supports for families in the challenging task of raising their children. The Centre has an interest in targeted interventions for high need groups as well as the provision of broader universal support to all parents. Current targeted projects include parents with learning difficulties, parenting high-risk infants, and parenting children with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. Universal prevention programs focusing on families of toddlers and adolescents are also being developed and trialled.

Contact information:

Parenting Research Centre 
Level 5 232 Victoria Parade
East Melbourme VIC. 3002
Phone: (03) 03 860 3599
Fax: (03) 8660 3500
Email: info@parentingrc.org.au
Website: www.parentingrc.org.au

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It is important to note that inclusion of a program in this Guide does not constitute an endorsement by KidsMatter Primary. All program details were correct at time of publishing.