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Parents as Partners: Supporting parental mental health and wellbeing

Parents as Partners : Supporting parental mental health and wellbeing (PDF, 0.8 MB)

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Introduction

A Better Start (ABS) is a £215 million funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme has been running for 10 years. This insight report reflects on parental mental health and wellbeing.

The report draws on evidence from five ABS partnerships. It explores:

  • parental mental health needs

  • how parents' wellbeing affects outcomes for children

  • approaches to working with parents as partners

  •  key lessons from programme delivery

  • implications for policy and practice in the early years sector

Findings

ABS partnerships found that parental mental health and wellbeing can be supported through:

  • professional services

  • peer support

  • community-based activities

Key factors for success included:

  • building trusted relationships with parents

  • treating parents as active partners in their own wellbeing

  • providing flexible and accessible support

  • responding to the needs of the whole family, and tailoring services to local contexts

Peer support and positive, non-judgemental approaches helped reduce feelings of isolation. Parents grew in confidence and developed stronger support networks.