WSA Working with Parents & Carers
Key question: How does the school work in partnership with parents and carers to promote emotional health and wellbeing?
- Engage parents and carers and develop positive relationships
- Help parents and carers feel welcome and safe in school
- Inform parents and carers of school policies etc. to support pupil wellbeing
- Signpost parents and carers to information / services to help them help their children's wellbeing
- Signpost parents and carers to information / services to support their own wellbeing.
Six Litmus Tests (Pooky Knightsmith)
(5) Parents and Carers Positively Engage With My School
Engaging parents and carers in a meaningful way is something that sets some schools apart from others. It’s not easy, and I’ve been really impressed by the innovative approaches that some schools I’ve worked with have taken in order to get this right, whilst parental engagement may be difficult, it really does reap dividends when done well.
Cornwall's Parent Engagement Framework
Effective parental engagement is a crucial ingredient in both academic and social success, including attendance, especially for our most vulnerable pupils. Cornwall Council’s Together for Families Directorate, supported by Parent Carer Cornwall, have developed a framework and toolkit to promote the partnership between pupils, parents, and school to help create a culture of mutual collaboration to support all learners to succeed.
The Framework offers a superb opportunity to way to work in partnership with parents and carers to promote wellbeing, helping them feel safe and supported - crucial when their child's wellbeing is a concern.
The Parental Engagement Framework and Toolkit which is now free to all education settings in Cornwall from September 2024.
You can find out more and download the Framework and additional resources on Services for Schools. Including a parent and carer version of the Framework and case studies. This article, A whole-school approach to parental engagement (headteacher-update.com) published recently in SEC Ed demonstrates evidence the impact of the pilot work.
We will gladly support schools with your implementation of the Framework where it overlaps with wellbeing support for children and families.
Information and support dedicated to professionals working with parents, carers and their families
Resources to support Primary to Secondary Transition
Transition Mission
Created by Young People in Cornwall for Young People in Cornwall - find out more about Transition Mission
Other useful resources:
Explore the other Principles of a Whole School Approach
Leadership and management that supports and champions efforts to promote emotional health and wellbeing
Leadership and management that supports and champions efforts to promote emotional health and wellbeing
An ethos and environment that promotes respect and values diversity
An ethos and environment that promotes respect and values diversity
Curriculum, teaching and learning to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning
Curriculum, teaching and learning to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning
Enabling student voice to influence decisions
Enabling student voice to influence decisions
Staff development to support their own wellbeing and that of students
Staff development to support their own wellbeing and that of students
Identify need and monitoring impact of interventions
Identify need and monitoring impact of interventions
Working with parents/carers
Working with parents/carers
Targeted support and appropriate referral
Targeted support and appropriate referral