6 May 2004

Barnardos gives SKIP the thumbs up

Barnardos has given SKIP - the Government’s project designed to support positive parenting - the thumbs up.

“We are incredibly excited about this strategy, which will give a variety of organisations access to fabulous resources to promote positive parenting messages in their local communities,” said Barnardos strategic policy director, Brenda Ratcliff, at the launch of SKIP in Wellington today.

“I congratulate the government for its commitment to parenting and for recognising the link between good parenting and positive outcomes for children.”

“Most parents love and want to do their best for their children, however parents lives are complicated and busy and the way parents get information about parenting is different today than it was a generation ago.”

“Families now come in a variety of forms and configurations, and information about what leads to healthy relationships between parents and children has to respond to these changes and the challenges facing today’s parents in just making their everyday lives work.”

The SKIP project provides places for parents to go and materials to help them fulfill their aspirations of being good parents.

“It will build on the work already carried out by dedicated professionals in Barnardos and other organisations with thousands of children and families across New Zealand, people who believe that by getting parenting right, we set the foundation for future generations of healthy and productive relationships.”

“Promoting positive parenting is an essential first step in addressing the unacceptably high level of family violence that we experience throughout New Zealand. Barnardos remains committed to working with the government and other community agencies to reduce the use of physical punishment in the disciplining of children, as part of positive parenting.”

Last year Barnardos helped approximately 20,000 children and families through services such as the Parents as First Teachers, Growing as Parents, the Parent Help Line, the Family Advocacy Information and Resource Centre and in its early childhood care and learning services. Last month, Barnardos set up a website – www. kidsvoice.org.nz - which focuses on the rights of children.

ENDS

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