Charlotte Jones, Parenting Family Intervention Worker from the Complex Safeguarding Team Tameside and Rebecca Dean, a parent with lived experience of child exploitation.
After seeing the gap in support for parents who go through the devastating and life-changing experience of child exploitation, Charlotte and Rebecca started a parent group in Tameside last September. Charlotte and Rebecca both felt passionately that by bringing affected parents and carers together in a safe space, they could be a source of strength for each other and dismantle the shame and isolation they so often live with.
Their driving ambition and heart behind the group was to provide a safe and confidential space where parents can come and meet other parents who are going through a similar journey to them, share their stories and strategies to help them to feel that they are not alone.
How did get the group going?
Charlotte started consulting with parents to see if they would feel confident to come to a parent group and share their experiences. After positive responses, Charlotte approached Rebecca to see if she would like to support the group which was met with a resounding yes, and led to Charlotte finding a safe space where they could meet and launch the group.
“What motivated me to start this group with Charlotte, was seeing that there was nothing out for parents. I remembered how low and alone I felt at certain points in my journey and I know if there had been someone I could have spoken with, or been able to learn from other people, it would have been so helpful.” Rebecca
How does the group work?
The group meets weekly for an hour and a half. A warm welcome awaits parents with a comforting brew and delicious biscuits provided for by Rebecca’s workplace, Concept Claim Solutions. Parents can freely share, knowing those around them will understand and not judge them. It’s an opportunity to unpack the heavy burden of guilt that parents so often carry as they’ve been made to feel that their child being exploited must be in some way their fault.
Each session has a specific focus, equipping parents with the information they need to understand exploitation and support their child. Themes have included grooming, exploitation and domestic violence. Charlotte has liaises with different charities and agencies to bring guest speakers to the group. Recent visiting speakers include Camh’s, Odd Arts Theatre Company who delivered a powerful workshop and Ivison Trust.
Transport for parents to be able to attend each session can be a challenge as not everyone has their own car. Charlotte drives around her community collecting parents so they are able to join and the running joke is that she needs a branded minibus to raise awareness on her rounds!
What’s next?
Rebecca has an ambition to roll out their parenting group model which combines a representative from family services and an affected parent on a national basis, so that parents feel they are in partnership with, and supported by their local council. This could also be a catalyst for raising awareness in schools about child exploitation, an opportunity to tackle head on the stigma around exploitation and how it can happen to any child. Charlotte’s passion is to set up more parenting groups in Tameside, introducing satellite settings and empowering parents and carers to be confident to set up and run their own parenting groups.
When asked what advice would they give to other professionals or parents who are considering setting up a parent group? Charlotte said:
“Just go for it! It’s needed and valued by the parents who attend the sessions and it makes a big difference to the parents and young people’s lives.”
Rebecca said,
“Just have the courage to give it a go. It’s one of those things that is going to take time, a bit of persistence but just the fact that you are there, and there’s a place that parents can come along to is invaluable.”
Parents who attend the group feel a sense of hope.
One parent said,
“My life feels like a Netflix movie, it’s just awful. But I feel I can see the end of the tunnel now through coming to the parent group.” Affected Parent
If you would like to join this Tameside Parent group please email info@iviontrust.org.uk and we will pass your details onto Rebecca and Charlotte.