18 October 2013
Terms of reference of the Office of Research Innocenti
Consultancy
Family and parenting support policies, programmes and services
1. Background
Family and parenting support programmes are increasingly being recognized as an important part of national social policies and social investment packages aimed at reducing poverty, decreasing inequality and promoting positive family and child well-being. Families play a central economic role, they provide protection and insurance against hardship, they can offer identity, love, care and development to their members and form the core of many social networks.[1] Investment in all families, complemented by targeted support for the most vulnerable families at risk of poverty, exclusion and deprivation, is a fundamental building block of cohesive societies.[2]
UNICEF’s Social Protection Framework defines family support as activities to strengthen and preserve families, prevent family separation/breakdown and ensure early intervention in families at risk. [3] Family support services and programmes can range from parenting programmes, strengthening family and community networks, family mediation, provision of child care facilities, family visits, resource centres. The importance of family and parenting support has also been acknowledged by other international and regional organisations and bodies. In 2006, the Council of Europe issued a recommendation that encourages states to recognise the importance of parental responsibilities and the need to provide parents with sufficient support in bringing up their children. The European Commission’s Social Investment Package focuses on integrated packages of benefits and services that help people throughout their lives. Family and parenting support is one of the elements of this recommended package of services.[4]
As social protection programmes and systems are becoming increasingly important in both lower and middle income countries as mechanisms to alleviate poverty and promote inclusion, there is a growing recognition in these countries that cash support cannot address all causes of inequity nor can help in situations where poverty alone is not the only cause of exclusion, family separation, poor child developmental outcomes, violence and neglect.
Despite the efforts to define family and parenting support there is still no universal understanding on what family and parenting support means, though at the European level there have been several attempts to define family support and parenting support.[5] In fact, in different parts of the world the concept of family and parenting support has had different meanings and has been grounded in different societal structures. In the western (primarily European) societal model, family and parenting support is increasingly being guaranteed and regulated by national and regional policies.[6] For example the European Commission Recommendation Investing in Children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage calls for enhanced family support through strengthened child protection and social services in the field of prevention and help for families to develop parenting skills in a non-stigmatizing way. In middle income countries, family and parenting support may take different forms; it is sometimes the objects of integrated family policies and services and sometimes carried out by local actors and networks that are not necessarily tied into a broader national framework. In lower income countries, particularly in some parts of Africa for example, family support is rarely the object of national policies or social work practice, and in reality is grounded in informal social networks, traditional practices and social norms that promote family and community caring. However, when communities or peer networks are unable to offer sufficient support to families due to sudden shocks or major breakdown in community cohesion (such as the large number of OVCs in some African countries being cared for by extended families), the state has a critical role to play in strengthening these support mechanisms.[7] Overall, parenting programmes are increasingly being delivered by professional or paraprofessional staff, though concerns are also raised about availability of qualified professionals and sustained funding for the longer term delivery of programmes.[8]
1.1 Evidence of policy and programme effectiveness
Over the past 20 years different models of family related services have evolved in different parts of the world. The benefits of different types of approaches have been documented in literature, along with the analysis of social and economic/budgetary policies on family support programme financing. Currently most evidence is coming from high-income countries and predominantly from the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.[9] Some of the parenting programmes have had an impact on improved child outcomes, such as health status, early childhood development, improved communication and relationship between parents and children, reduction in parental stress, protection of children from corporal punishment, reduction of adolescent risky behavior and improved adolescent social competences.[10]
Evidence from other parts of the world is slowly beginning to emerge which contributes to the global knowledge base on what works in different national and cultural contexts [11] as models that have been proven effective in the West are not necessarily transferable to middle income and lower income countries for reasons such as: the cost associated with these imported parenting models (both in terms of license purchase and implementation costs), differences in family structures and dynamics, parenting practices and prevalence of orphanhood or family separation due to migration, which may require different programme design and approaches. [12] The success of the implementation of family support and parenting programmes will also depend on structural factors such as legislation, policies, financial resources, inter-sectoral collaboration, leadership buy-in, existence or absence of professional workforce, and geography.[13][14]
This proposed research aims to provide a more thorough understanding of the nature of parenting support in a global context, the social and structural influences and the relationship between the policy, intervention, context, mechanism and outcome - theories (pathways) of change and associated outcomes. What are the key ingredients of family and parenting support programmes and services that work well together under different circumstances, in different cultural contexts and different political and economic settings (universal factors)? What are the additional components and influences needed to ensure the same type of positive results in unique circumstances (contextual factors)? What drives the development of policy in this field and how do the policy changes affect the implementation of family and parenting support programmes?
1.2 The overall aim of the proposed research
The aim of this research is two-fold: a) to contribute to the global evidence that can guide the development of family oriented policies and programmes in different contexts and b) to showcase the best evidenced practice models that can be used or adapted by countries in the process of developing family and parenting support programmes.
The planned research will
1) Examine different conceptual understandings and different policy orientations of family and parenting support as a key strategy to promote child and adolescent well-being.
2) Examine effectiveness of different approaches to family and parenting support through systematic review of evidence taking into account their design, targeting, inclusiveness, contextual factors and applicability across different settings.
3) Carry out in-country mapping and analysis of institutional and organisational mechanisms, relations, capacities and service outreach in selected countries with a view to identifying supportive factors as well as obstacles to programme success i.e. programme accessibility, inclusiveness and effectiveness.
These Terms of Reference relate only to the Component 1 of the proposed research.
2. Objectives:
This consultancy is related to the component 1 of the research project as indicated above. The Component 1 will consist of a development of a theoretical framework and a grounding paper that will contribute to a conceptual understanding of family and parenting support as one of the key strategies to promote family and child wellbeing and mitigate the risk of violence, abuse and family separation. The consultant(s) will:
1. Examine different theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of family and parenting support and different policy orientations. This will take into account various geographic, contextual and cultural environments. The paper will aim to expand the current understanding of family and parenting support as conceptualized in high income countries and include perspectives from middle and lower income countries taking the child life course approach (0-18).
2. Examine the position of family and parenting support policies within the broader frameworks of laws, policies, structures and institutions aimed at promotion of child-wellbeing and prevention of violence, abuse and family separation.
3. Propose a theoretical/conceptual model that will show potential pathways of policy change and associated outcomes. This component will also identify key actors and interests in the field of family support.
3. Specific activities
· The consultant(s) will develop an analytical framework and methodology for review of family and parenting support theories (including definitions and concepts) and policy orientations that takes into account a)different national contexts and b) life course of the child
· Based on the analytical framework, carry our literature review, policy analysis and key informant interviews to identify prevailing theoretical and policy orientations in family and parenting support.
· In broad terms, identify from existing evidence, how family related policies are shaped or complemented by other types of laws and policies (a few examples from higher income and lower income countries identified) and where parenting support fits in the policy portfolio. Identify, whenever possible, what types of evidence is missing.
· Develop a conceptual model that shows potential pathways of influences and impacts of family support and parenting policies on the family and child wellbeing.
4. Specific outputs/products results with specific delivery dates:
1. Analytical framework and methodological tool for the assignment. This will elaborate on the methodology that was submitted in the application for the position. The methodological tool will be expanded based on the review of the project documentation and discussions with key stakeholders. This would be reviewed by the OoR and the advisory group. (By 15th December)
2. A draft discussion paper that includes proposed conceptual framework shared with OoR and an advisory group for input and comments and presented at the meeting in Florence. (28th February 2014)
3. The final report of approximately 40-50 pages including executive summary and bibliography, that highlights key theoretical and policy approaches to family and parenting support and identifies recommendations for future research and policy action. The final report should incorporate all the input from the OoR and the advisory group. The terminology and referencing of the report should in conformity with UNICEF Style Book 2011 and the Reference Guide (to be shared with the consultant). (By 30th April 2014).
Timeframe: 5 months (November 2013 –April 2014)
5. Qualifications and/or special knowledge/experience required and desirable for undertaking the assignment:
The institution should have high level expertise in research on policy and evidence based practice related to family and parenting support in particular in relation to child wellbeing and child welfare. The institutions should be able to draw on expertise of the top thinkers from both the global North and the South and to have a recognized status among academics and policy makers as one of the top institutions in this field. Expertise in developing complex research programmes and including the assessment of national policies and programmes related to family and parenting support is highly desirable.
The focal point at the Institution and a lead researcher should have:
· PhD in social sicence and social policy
· At least 15 years of academic and research experience related to family policy, social policy, child poverty and welfare.
· A strong publication record relating to the above theme and proven record of developing and managing multi-country research projects
· Excellent English report writing skills
The research project will be guided by the advisory group comprised of known experts possibly from different parts of the world. Prior to the commencement of the project an advisory group will meet in Florence to define the parameters of the research project.
6. Duration of the consultancy:
80 working days over a 5-month period
7. Supervision and work arrangements:
The assignment will be carried out under the overall supervision of Jasmina Byrne, Child Protection Specialist, Office of Research, Innocenti.
The consultant will be primarily home-based. S/he will be expected to have very frequent contact with her/his supervisor via email and phone. All submissions will be made electronically.
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified candidates (individuals or institutions) are requested to submit a cover letter, a short outline methodology with time line for the assignment (max 2 pages), an example of their published work ideally on family and parenting support and their CV(s) to with subject line “Family and Parenting Support policies” by 30 October 2013. Please indicate your ability, availability and proposed fee to undertake the terms of reference above.
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[1] Adema, W. Setting the scene: The mix of family policy objectives and packages across the OECD. Children and Youth Services Review 34 (2012) 487–498.
[2] Eurochild, (2012). Compendium of inspiring practices. Early intervention and prevention in family and parenting support. October 2012
[3] Integrated Social Protection Systems: Enhancing Equity for Children. UNICEF Social Protection Strategic Framework.
[4] Council of Europe. Recommendation Rec(2006)19 of the Committee of Ministers to member states
on policy to support positive parenting; European Commission Reccomendation of 20.3.2013. Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage.
[5] See for example Dolan, P. Canavan, J. and Pinkerton, J. (2006). Family Support as Reflective Practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London and Philadelphia. Daly, M in EUROFOUND (2012) Parenting Support in Europe.
[6] Ref: Mention here various EU and OECD policies, Eurofound paper
[7]Garcia, M. and Moore, C. M. T. (2012). The Cash Dividend. The Rise of Cash Transfer Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Washington DC: The World Bank. Ward, P. et al for UNICEF. Cash Transfer Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC), Kenya, Operational and Impact Evaluation 2007-2009.
[8] Knerr, W, Gardner, F and Cluver, L. 2011. Parenting and the prevention of child maltreatment in low- and middle-income countries.
[9] Substantive evaluative evidence already exists in relation to programmes such as Tripple P, Sure Start, Nurse Family Partnerships and some others, see for example http://www.arnec.net/ntuc/slot/u2323/e-discussion/11017_SP700310_PPET[1].pdf; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1314244/pdf/12030667.pdf; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2007.00750.x/full