Cowie, H. & Jennifer, D. (Co-ordinating team, UK), Chankova, D. & Poshtova, T. (Bulgaria), Deklerck, J. & Deboutte, G. (Belgium), Ertesvåg, S. K. & Samuelsen, A. S. (Norway), O'Moore, M. & Minton, S. J. (Ireland) and Ortega, R. & Sanchez, V. (Spain) © (2006)

School Bullying and Violence: Taking Action

Module B

Unit B4 - Working with Parents

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PDF Unit B4 - Working with Parents

Objectives:

To understand and appreciate the key role that parents have in the application of the 'whole school approach' in addressing school violence
To be familiar with the skills involved in planning and conducting work with parents in school communities
To consider strategies for engaging parents in activities that will support them in taking their part in the promotion of non-violence and the reduction of violence
To be able to motivate and support parents in developing an understanding of the central role that parents themselves and young people play in countering and preventing violent and bullying behaviour in schools
To enable parents themselves to work productively at home with their children/teenagers in promoting anti-violence/pro-social attitudes
To consider, and to facilitate, parental and school collaboration against violent and bullying behaviour amongst young people in school communities

Facilitation skills to be developed through this unit:

Knowledge and understanding of:

the VISTA whole school approach
the range of underlying causes of challenging, aggressive and anti-social behaviour
the importance of creating a supportive and caring school community
how to include parents/carers in decisions about their child
up-to-date knowledge of current thinking in the area of the promotion of non-violence
effective promotion of non-violence interventions, systems and management approaches

Personal qualities and attributes include:

being an effective communicator
being an effective trainer of and adviser to staff, governors, parents, carers and pupils
being a strategic thinker
having empathy for and providing specialist support to parents and carers
managing time effectively and being well organised
being an effective communicator
being able to facilitate and value parents' opinions about their children's/teenager's education