Parenting Support Service

Medway Council is seeking to commission a Parenting Support Service as part of the Best Start in Life (BSiL) programme, aimed at improving outcomes for children in the early years.

The overarching aim of the service is to provide accessible, evidence-based parenting support and training to families, with a particular focus on increasing the likelihood of children achieving a good level of development at the end of Reception.

The service will deliver a blended model of universal and targeted support, combining community-based provision with more intensive home-based interventions.

Delivery will include:

•Community outreach and engagement, including regular stay-and-play sessions in wellbeing centres and other local venues

•A visible presence at community events to promote access and engagement

•Home visiting support, including both self-referral and Early Help pathways

•Support for parents to address wider determinants of health, working in partnership with the wider BSiL network to reduce health inequalities

•Early identification of perinatal mental health (PMH) and parent-infant relationship (PIR) needs, with appropriate signposting and referrals

The service will also play a key role in building community capacity through:

•Recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers to support home visiting and group-based interventions

•Delivery (in partnership with Parenting Workers) of evidence-based interventions, such as Incredible Years or other approved programmes

•Collaboration with Best Start in Life partners, including Best Start in Life Practitioners (BSIPs), to support families where there may be emerging SEND needs

This service will replace and integrate elements of current provision, including the Universal Parenting Programme and volunteer-led home visiting services, creating a more cohesive and outcomes-focused model of support for families.

•The Council is seeking a provider with the capability to deliver a high-quality, integrated service, working collaboratively across the system to improve early childhood outcomes and reduce inequalities.