Integrating Bright Spots into Community Parenting Strategy

Why?

Community (or corporate) parenting reminds us of the collective responsibility everyone has to make sure children in care and care leavers have opportunities to succeed and live happy lives. Sheffield’s new strategy, A Brighter Future, sets out in practical terms what it means for the council to be a ‘good parent’ – everything is based on what children and young people say matters to their well-being.

What did they do?

The key priorities in the new strategy are built around a combination of the Bright Spots domains and Sheffield’s survey findings:

1. Relationships – the people in your life (Priority)

2. High Aspirations and Resilience – parity of opportunity growing up (Priority)

3. Rights – entitlements, voice and participation

4. Wellbeing and Recovery – being and feeling healthy and happy (Priority)

5. Caring for those who care: Children and young people are nurtured by carers and workers who are well-resourced, valued and supported. (This priority area has been added by Sheffield)

What was the impact?

It is the first time that such a strategy has been co-produced by young people in Sheffield. The strategy (Community Parenting Strategy PDF) is in place for 3 years (until 2026) &  young people are integral to the scrutiny of progress against the priorities.

Each year a detailed Community Parenting business plan will be co-produced with young people – this will be used to implement the strategy and monitor impact.

Voice and Influence workers have made a film about being a good corporate parenting (see above) which is being used as a training tool.