Webinar: Creating and Managing a Parent Advocacy Programme
Summary
The ExChange Wales webinar Creating and Managing a Parent Advocacy Programme brought together experts and parent advocates to explore how peer-led advocacy can strengthen support for parents navigating child welfare systems. Hosted by David Tobis, Ph.D. and Kar-Man Au, the session drew on the Practice Guide: Creating and Managing a Parent Advocacy Programme to share practical insights for parents and allies developing advocacy initiatives. Topics included the importance of parent leadership, preparing organisations to work with advocates, the training and support needed for parent advocates, what parents want peer advocates to know and do, and how to promote strategies that embed advocacy within both governmental and independent settings. By foregrounding lived experience and effective organisational support, the webinar aimed to help practitioners and parents build programmes that improve engagement and outcomes in child welfare practice.