This research-based book explores participatory, relationship-centred approaches in child and family social work, offering practical guidance for inclusive and ethical practice.

Parental advocacy is changing child protection by supporting parents to feel heard, confident and involved, improving trust, communication and collaboration in safeguarding decisions.

This webinar examines parental advocacy and its potential to transform family experiences within children’s services and care proceedings. Drawing on Swansea University’s Realist Informed Evaluation of pilot advocacy services in England, the session explores what makes these services effective, how they support parent involvement in decisions, and their impact on outcomes. Attendees will hear directly from parents, advocates, and other stakeholders and gain insights for service development, evaluation, and improving parent-professional relationships.

Parent Advocates provide peer-to-peer support. They come together to help each other and to find a collective voice. Parent Advocates are also working with their allies to bring about policy, programme, and system reform. Many other groups of parents and allies are considering whether to create projects, programmes or organisations to amplify the influence and power of parents in the child welfare system in the UK. This Practice Guide is designed to help parents and their allies in the UK who have created or are in the process of creating a Parent Advocacy programme. 

Learn how to build and run a parent advocacy programme that supports families, empowers parents with lived experience and improves child welfare systems.

This study delves into how parents with lived experience of the child protection system imagine peer-parent advocacy services; focusing on empathy, support, and empowerment.

This report presents findings from an exploratory action research evaluation of Birmingham Children’s Trust’s Befriending and Mentoring Scheme for children in care and care leavers aged 16–25. Drawing on interviews, focus groups and observations, the study shows that participation improved young people’s wellbeing, reduced social isolation, strengthened support networks and helped develop practical and personal skills. While challenges were identified around organisation, demand and funding, the overall impact of the programme was positive. The report concludes that befriending and mentoring schemes play an important role in supporting care-experienced young people and recommends continued development and greater policy investment.

An Exploratory Action Research Study Independently completed for NYAS of the Side-by-Side Project Considering the Impact of Befriending and Mentoring Programmes for Care Leavers

In 2022, Barnardos Ireland launched an ambitious pilot: the Parental Advocacy and Information Service (PAIS). Designed to support parents involved in child-care proceedings, the service offers one-to-one advocacy, information sessions, a helpline and workshops — all grounded in the principles of empowerment, rights-based practice and meaningful participation.