FDAC parent mentors – a unique approach to supporting parents

Jo Maycock, Development Co-ordinator FDAC National  Unit, Diane Green, Parent Mentor Co-ordinator FDAC Team and an anonymous FDAC Parent Mentor. 

This eighth blog from the FDAC National Unit is about the distinctive role of FDAC parent mentors. We explain the parent mentoring service and reflect on the importance of growing this initiative across all FDAC sites.

What is an FDAC parent mentor? 

FDAC parent mentors provide a volunteer befriending service to parents throughout their involvement with the court. Care proceedings are a challenging and traumatic time; the additional help of a parent mentor can often support parents to address the issues they face.

The parent mentor programme is the only component of the FDAC model where support to parents is provided by non-professionals. Having experienced similar challenges in their lives, parent mentors act as positive role models for FDAC parents. They represent resilience, possibility and hope. Their understanding of the impact of drugs and alcohol on children and families, and their lived experience of child protection and/or family court proceedings, is a powerful addition, alongside the work of the FDAC specialist team, helping parents to recognise and overcome their own struggles.

Read the full article here.