The Parent Support Awards have been introduced to celebrate good practice in parent support and parental engagement in learning.

The 2011 awards took place at Keele Hall, Keele University, Staffordshire on 16th June. This was open to schools and settings in the West Midlands areas. From 2012 this will become a national event.

Aims of the awards

To celebrate and reward good practice in parent and family support in schools and settings
To promote the value of high quality parent support and parental engagement in learning
To gather case studies for other schools and settings to benefit from

All shortlisted nominees where invited to Keele Hall for the celebration and awards. The shortlisted nominees were from:

Birmingham
Herefordshire
Solihull
Staffordshire
Stoke-on-Trent
Walsall
Wolverhampton

Thank you to our 2011 sponsors and winners:

Parent Governor

Sponsored by iQity

Winner - Donna Riley

Donna became a parent governor to push for change when the school required a new direction. She has volunteered in classes for numerous years. She trained as a teaching assistant during placements at school and soon developed her own passion for learning once again.

Donna has worked with the local church providing study support (extra curricular) activities for pupils to enrich their lives - including taking a group of children to watch an England football match. She works alongside the ICT leader to help with after school computer clubs, provides a recorder club at lunch times and has recently been employed by the school as support for a child with special educational needs.

The person who nominated Donna said "At every turn, this lady believes in making a difference for the pupils."

Parent Volunteer

Sponsored by Keele University Science and Business Park

Winner - Alison Snape

Alison has worked on a voluntary basis within a challenging class. She volunteers two an a half days each week and offers support to children with special educational needs as well as taking guided groups.

The school says that Alison has an excellent rapport with the children helping them with self esteem and promoting a positive image. One person has said

"Many parents across the country give up their time to work in school but few I have ever known have done so with more skill and devotion. She is exceptionally gifted at working with even the most difficult children and her good humour and willingness to learn new skills make her an asset to the school."

Parent Achievement

Sponsored by Keele University Science and Business Park

Winner - Louise Kirkham

Louise was nominated for her commitment to self improvement. To date she has completed numerous courses including a Worth course, Coping With Kids, support staff training, assertiveness training, anger management training, holistic therapies, First Aid, Maths and English course. From doing the very first course she saw the benefit in meeting other people regularly and has made some firm friendships. The person who nominated her said "She never gives up and sees the relevance in progressing educationally."

Trying to balance learning and family life can be difficult, with Louise caring for her disabled son alone. Despite this she is always eager to do more and complete assignments. She is a valuable member of any group and achieves all of the goals set - attending regularly and never letting anyone down.

Louise has now moved into employment in the local nursery school and is supporting children at lunchtimes. Alongside this she is completing Maths and English qualifications and has recently embarked on an NVQ2 in Child Studies, with the view to going on to study her NVQ3.

The panel also wanted to recognise the achievement of Vicky Smith who received a 'highly commended' plaque

Outstanding Leadership in Parent Support

Sponsored by HTI National Leadership Centre

Winner - Dorrie Shenton

Dorrie was nominated for being an 'inpirational headteacher with a clear vision for her school". Since becoming headteacher she has introduced many courses that involve parents, teachers and children working alongside each other to learn. Parents are often seen in school on these courses thanks to her ever-ready willingness to get involved with, join in and support the parent groups.

One parent has said "since she came to us, she has turned the school and other people's views of it around. She has brought in an open door policy for parents and children to discuss their concerns and problems. She always supports parents in any way possible. She brings an uplifting air to the school and is much loved by parents, children and staff alike."

Care and Support in an Individual Setting

Sponsored by HTI National Leadership Centre

Winner - Janice Bourne

Janice offers invaluable support for both children and parents in a range of ways on issues of a social, emotional or behavioural nature. She directs parents and carers to the appropriate agencies and is seen as a professional friend who is there to help.

In crisis situations Janice works closely with social workers, family support workers and other agencies to plan the type the type and length of support needed to ensure that the child feels safe and to enhance parenting skills. For example, she recently organised specialist fire service counselling skills for a child who has a fascination with fire and through liaising with parents found out that the child had tried to start a fire in the bedroom. These sessions are still ongoing.

One of the people nominating Janice said, "Her approach to all situations in non-judgmental and throughout her actions she has a commitment to supporting people in difficult circumstances. Above everything else she has an amazing ability to stay calm under pressure."

The panel also wanted to recognise the work of David Baylay, Jean Brockley and Kim Williams.

Care and Support in Special Circumstances

Sponsored by Keele University Science and Business Park

Winner - Jayne Allen

Jayne has worked at a women's refuge for twelve years and has made a difference to hundreds of children and their mothers, helping them to deal with all the problems associated with escaping and recovering from domestic violence. She never waivers in her enthusiasm in helping people and uses innovative approaches to do this.

One little girl, aged 9, who has spent 15 months at the refuge write this:

"When I first came to the refuge her smile was comforting and she welcomed me. When I was sad she would make me smile. When Daddy was out of jail she was the one who made me feel safe. She made me free to tell her terrible things. If I had my own magical world when all the colours go out of it I know she'll be the one to put the pretty colours back. When I first came to the refuge I was sad and scared, now look at me. Me and mummy live in a happy life with our dog. Thank you."

Care and Support in Multiple Settings

Sponsored by Eduscope

Winner - Home-Start, Stoke-on-Trent

Home Start has provided family support to some of the most vulnerable and isolated parents in the city for over 26 years. The dedication, commitment and hard work of the staff and particularly the volunteers who deliver the home visiting service, has been tremendous and unstinting over time.

The organisation has supported over 1600 parents and their children, providing long term rather than time limited support. Parent feedback indicates that they feel valued, listened to and understood. All volunteers are parents themselves and so know what it is like to bring up children, often in very difficult circumstances.

One of the nominations said that the service is "Innovative, flexible and responsive to meet the needs of parents and the whole family - each individual support plan is tailored to meet the needs of the family and reviewed throughout the relationship. The offer is simple - parent to parent, based on friendship and in the family's own home."

The panel also wanted to acknowledge the work of Kelly Round.

Parent Support in a Pre School Setting

Sponsored by Eduscope

Winner - Neroli Oakley

Neroli runs a 'Talking Tots' franchise and was nominated for her passion and incredible energy for helping parents support their children's speech, language and communication development.

The person who nominated Neroli said

"She delivers classes that help young children develop self esteem and social confidence, great listening and attention, turn taking and sharing skills, confidence communication, imagination and story telling and good pre-literacy skills."

Neroli is "Approachable and friendly and constantly goes beyond the call of duty."

The panel also wanted to acknowledge the work of Libby Hill.

Parent Support Worker in an Individual Setting

Sponsored by Different Class

Winner - Claire Barlow

Claire has worked as a Parent Support Worker for the first two years and previous to this as a home school link worker in Staffordshire. Her knowledge of all the schools, the surrounding community and the professionals who deliver within the area has helped to improve the sharing of information to better support and target specific issues within the family.

Claire has the ability to communicate at all levels, giving her the opportunity to put forward strategies which get results at a managerial level, but is also able to untangle jargon and paperwork for vulnerable parents so that they feel reassured and supported when the need is most acute.

Her nomination said that "Her intimate knowledge of the community she works in and her natural affinity towards parents and children had endeared them to her. This trust and relationship building skill she possesses has served her well as mediator between school and home, de-escalating potential problems along the way. She is a natural advocate and this has been seen as a valuable skill in engaging the most marginalised families, with the most complex needs in the most difficult families."

Parent Support Worker in Multiple Settings

Sponsored by the Eclipse Leadership Scheme

Winner - Karen Foulkes

Karen was nominated for being "a unique person" who works in a non-jugemental way to support families to overcome some very challenging barriers in life. She has a creative and innovative approach to her work that enables the most disadvantaged families to access a fresh start and raise their life aspirations.

Karen has worked with outstanding success with a range of adult issues such as bipolar disorder, agoraphobia, physical disability, terminal illness, offenders, victims of domestic violence and autism to name a few. She has also worked with children with a range of issues such as mental health problems, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and young offenders.

The person nominating Karen said that she "Strives to widen horizons for the community, for example, organising trips beyond the local urban area with a focus on parents and child working together in a new environment."

The panel also wanted to acknowledge the work of Kate Stewart and Keely Lawrence.

Innovation in Parent Support

Sponsored by Emaginative Learning

Winner - Barbara Hine

Barbara has been responsible for the recruitment and induction of 52 Parent Support Worker in the Staffordshire area, giving schools access to parent support.

In line with the Parenting Strategy, all of the Parent Support Workers have been able to access training in evidence based parenting programmes to support their one to one work, including Triple P, Incredible Years and Family SEAL. Parent Support Workers continue to receive training sessions. County networks meetings are help on a termly basis and update the Parent Support Workers on the national strategy as well as Staffordshire's Parenting Strategy.

Barbara has been the lead on this programme. She has been described as "an inspirational and motivated manager who continually strives to improve the lives of families in Staffordshire through high quality service provision."

Overall Parent Support Award

Sponsored by the ConcertEd Partnership

Winner - Janice Bourne

The independent judging panel found it very difficult to decide on an overall winner. Janice had received the highest number of nominations and although this was not the reason that she was selected as the overall winner, it demonstrated the impact that she has had on a wide range of people.

Here are some more comments made on the various nomination forms we received for Janice:

"She is always there for the parents in school. She even carries a school mobile with her so that they can contact her 24/7."

"She is an excellent communicator who really cares about the children and families she works with. She deals with her hard job in this deprived area with a grace and humour which is a daily inspiration to us all."

"She is a wonderful person who is always there for the children and our school and their parents. She goes completely out of her way to help with different situations and does whatever she can to improve their way of life."