How we can help parents
Home » Info for Parents & Young People » What do you need
TSA has a range of information and resources which
parents might find useful. There are three main ways that TSA can help parents with getting information and advice:
- First, we have an up-to-date list of organisations which provide information and advice to parents.
- Second, we have publications for parents, which we sell.
- Third, the rest of this section aims to help parents to think about what they want, and where to go next. This section is based on a TSA directory called ‘Where to look for help: A guide for parents and carers of teenagers’. This directory is sold by TSA’s Publications Department. The following extract is from the introduction to the directory. It aims to help you decide what it is you want, and identify where you can go next.
(Note that this directory focusses mainly on services provided
by charities and the voluntary sector – your Local Council will
also offer a range of services for parents. These include
Children’s Services (usually part of Social Services), the Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and the Youth Offending Team (YOT).
So - what sort of information, advice, or support do you want?
You may already be clear about what you want, or what the issue is that you’re facing. For example, your son or daughter may have been excluded from school, and you want to know about the options available. Your teenager may have a health issue, which you want some specialist advice about. Or you may want information on a particular topic, such as the law in relation to young people getting part-time jobs. In this case, you may want to go to one of the organisations listed in the Organisations that can help parents section.
In other cases, however, parents or carers don’t know what they want, or what’s really wrong. There may be rows and arguments
in the family. A young person might have become withdrawn and silent, with no obvious explanation. Many parents want to know ‘what’s normal?’ in relation to young people’s behaviour. Some parents feel that their son or daughter’s behaviour is a complete mystery. There is, however, usually some sort of explanation. Talking to others about the issues, reading about it, or watching
a video, can all be very helpful.
So – what are the different types of help and advice available? Here’s some of the main options:
- Some people want to talk through their issues with another parent, or a professional – in this case calling a telephone helpline may be a good option. There are many of these helplines listed in the ‘Where to look for help’ directory, and
in the Organisations that can help parents section. - There are now many websites available, which contain lots of useful information and advice. Some parents like websites because they can look at them at a convenient time, and look at what’s offered by a wide range of organisations.
- Materials that people can look at in their own time - including booklets, leaflets, audio-tapes, CD’s, and videos -
can all be a useful source of information and advice. TSA's Publications Department sells a range of materials for parents. Many of the organisations listed in the directory also have excellent written materials – often these materials are free, or can be downloaded from their website. - There’s also a range of support groups for parents in many parts of the country. These are useful for parents who want
to talk things through with other parents, who might be facing similar issues. These are often run on a ‘drop in’ basis, so that parents can call in and talk to someone when they want to. - There’s also parenting programmes, a bit like evening classes for parents! These take place for a few hours a week for 6 or 8 weeks, and are often run by an experienced family worker. A lot of parents find support groups and parenting programmes very helpful, as it gives them an opportunity to talk and share with others. You can find out about support groups and parenting programmes by contacting Parenting UK – their details are in the Organisations that can Help Parents section.
There’s a couple of other things to bear in mind too, when thinking about what you want. Do you want to contact a national organisation, or would you prefer to start with a local organisation?
All of the organisations listed in our Organisations that can Help Parents section are national ones, but many have local branches, or have a list of local organisations. Your Local Council or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau will also have information about local organisations that can support parents.
And don’t forget other people, like your family and friends, your GP, or a religious or community leader. Talking things through with someone you trust is an important first step for many people. It can also help in signposting to the best sort of help and support.
We hope you find the help and support that’s right for you.
Good luck!