The opportunity

From 2008 to present The London Borough of Ealing commissioned us to deliver one to one parent coaching in refuges across the Borough as mums living with their children or with children in care were identified as individuals who had multiple complex needs.

Specific outcomes for the Borough

To date we have coached over 60 mums which have benefited over 150 children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who have been on the child protection register.

The objectives and outcomes are captured and measured by in house forms which are completed pre and post programme by all mums and have been identified as:

  • Adults who engage with the service will be more confident and effective parents
  • Parents will have improved access to information about services on a local, regional and national basis
  • A greater alignment with the work of the local safeguarding children’s board

 Kate Subanney, Parenting Commissioner, The London Borough of Ealing said, life’s canvas have “delivered coaching to many women in the refuge and offered advice and support to women who have experienced DV and helped to change communication and parenting for their children who have also been affected by DV”

The programme ... Learning to laugh again...

This programme is delivered on a one to one confidential basis over 3 months.

Through this programme mothers have focused on day to day parenting issues such as improving their child’s diet, discipline and boundaries, bedtime routines and fun activities in the local area on a limited budget.  They have also explored more sensitive areas such as children not settling into school, thinking about the future in terms of what to tell a child about the perpetrator and visitation rights. 

It also looks at areas such as:

What is a good parent and good parenting?

What has changed, due to the breakdown of the parental relationship?

What remains the same?

Methods of communication with absent parent?

Inner resources - spiritual belief, family and friends

Managing my new life e.g. Handling finances

What are the benefits...for mums?

It gives them confidence, a sense of empowerment in their role as a parent and life changing tools on how to move forward with their life.  An ex-resident said “it is nice to talk and make progress.  It gives me a chance to think logically and rationally and it is a positive and gives me time to reflect”.

What are the benefits...for the refuge?

It helps residents realise their goals, to support them in planning and making achieving them. life’s canvas can be a sounding board, a source of expertise for staff and an objective body which can provide confidential reports that can be part of CAFCUSS.  A Family Support Worker said “Having a free space to explore their feelings not only allows them to vent their frustrations and challenges they have faced but moreover allows them to off-load to a neutral and objective party.”