My Job - Ciara Baker

Even though we have been working closely with the CYPT (Children and Young People's Trust) for years, we were surprised to discover the varied positions in the council that work for them.

This month we are starting a series called My Job, highlighting the work that CYPT staff do everyday that affect the services we use. For our first instalment we give you Ciara Baker, a member of the Parenting Team that we have had a lot of interaction with in the past concerning the Parenting Support Services Strategy that was launched this May.

Ciara Baker

I am the Information and Support Officer for the Parenting Team at Brighton & Hove City Council. The Parenting Team aims to promote parenting support throughout the council through the Parent Support Strategy, and co-ordinate Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme) parenting groups throughout the City.

It's hard to describe a typical day in my job because it is quite varied. My duties range from basic but essential administrative tasks such as filing and photocopying, through to the more challenging and involving tasks like helping to organise a national conference or local parenting event.

Communication is probably the key thing in my day to day work. We have lots of calls and emails from parents wanting more information on the Triple P programme. I try and help them find what they need, whether it's a tip sheet on a problem like Bullying or Sleep Patterns, or if it's helping to find a Triple P group in their area. We also have a webpage that I update regularly with new tip sheets and details about when and where groups are running throughout the City.

It's also important for me to communicate with my colleagues, both in the Council and in the Community and Voluntary Sector. Recently the Parenting Team has been working with the Parent's Forum to promote the Fun Day at the Funplex and the Parenting Week activities we have planned that will include displays in various libraries across the city and parenting talks on common problems and strategies to promote good behaviour.

One of the things that has surprised me about my job is that I quite like statistics! We collect data on how parents feel about the Triple P groups they have taken part in. I collate this data and report back to the rest of the Parenting Team and the Parenting Commissioner in the Council. It is great to see how many parents have a really positive experience in their groups and feel that their family life has really improved after taking part.

If you would like any more information about Triple P or the Parenting Team please visit our webpages: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Or call: (01273) 294471 or email: ciara.baker@brighton-hove.gov.uk