The academy, funded by the DCSF, will offer support and training to those working with parents in education, health, children's services and other fields (News, 16 November 2006), using expertise from its partners the Family and Parenting Institute, Parenting UK and King's College.
In September the academy started a programme of training for each government office region, beginning with practitioners based in Sure Start children's centres, schools and voluntary groups.
At the opening, children's minister Beverley Hughes said, 'Parenting programmes make for fascinating television, but for real help that makes a difference, parents need support from someone who is properly trained. It is our job to make sure support is available when parents need it.'
Angela Sibson, chief executive of the academy, said, 'It is essential that we build our knowledge and evidence base and share what works with the parenting workforce. In driving forward policy and practice we aspire to be an international hub for the exchange of ideas and learning.'
To coincide with the launch the academy released the findings of a survey of over 5,500 parents, entitled Parenting Services: Parents' Perspectives, showing that parents were confused as to the type of help on offer and the quality and usefulness of parenting services.
A second survey, Scooping gaps in the provision of training for practitioners working with parents, identified gaps in training and a shortage of trainers, variability in the quality and experience of the trainer workforce and gaps in knowledge among practitioners and service commissioners.
Further information: www.parentingacademy.org.
