What is our vision for 2009?

Training

• Subject to funding, we would like to see over 250 STEPS facilitators from statutory and voluntary agencies trained and delivering in partnership, providing a rolling programme of STEPS courses in accessible venues across the city, with targeted projects for e.g. carers, BME and those with emotional health needs.
• 50  staff trained to deliver the Volunteering in Schools programme, a number of schools offering this every year as part of their parental engagement plan, and a project aimed at involving fathers more in schools.

STEPS

STEPS is a Pacific Institute course

STEPS is an enjoyable and informal programme which encourages participants to think about themselves and the way they can make choices in their lives.  It helps people to:
• understand why they think the way they do about themselves and their situation.
• realise that life is full of opportunities
• learn how to pursue these opportunities with confidence
STEPS is a self development programme based on researched psychological concepts, which provides a practical personal toolkit for change, leading to increased confidence and self-esteem, and higher aspirations. Outcomes for parents in Leeds include increased involvement in school and children’s learning, volunteering, going into employment, better family relationships.

Introduction to Volunteering in Educational Settings (INVEST)

INVEST is a nationally accredited programme of training for parents and community members who would like to volunteer in their local primary school or similar educational setting.

The training involves participants in a seven week programme where they learn about how best they can support teachers and schools.  The sessions include, Listening to readers, Circle Time, Confidentiality, Supervision, Child Protection, Learning Styles, Display work and school policies.  The training is free for schools who receive a draft Volunteer Policy for personalisation.  The optional session 6 of the programme allows parents to complete a short portfolio and receive one credit at level 2 with the National Open College Network.  The final session. also optional, is a signposting session where parents can learn about college and job opportunities in their area, this session is delivered in partnership with  'Future Pathways.'

The INVEST programme was written by Jane Haswell, Families and Schools Together Team, Education Leeds  and is unique in content to anything offered by any other authority.  The programme, which has been running for one year has seen approximately 80 parents take the OCN qualification and a further fifty (approx) taking the full course without the qualification. 

Most participants now volunteer in their child's school, many have gone on to further courses or been offered paid work in schools all participants have commented on how they are able to better support their children in their own homes.'

TIS

The Transfer/Transition Information Sessions Project?

A DCSF funded project to provide additional information sessions to parents of pupils at the two main points of transition (entrance to schools at Reception stage, and entrance to secondary school at Key Stage 3), shortly after the transfer in September 2007.
Working closely with our partners, we proposed a model for delivery of this project in Leeds which built on the Extended Schools cluster structure and worked flexibly to ensure this initiative was integrated with the existing good practice in Leeds around transition. This model was approved and is being implemented now with around 50 schools involved.
We are keen that this forms part of the wider picture of even better relationships between parents and schools across the city.