Support for Parents & Carers

We understand the important role you play in helping and supporting your child, and encourage you to get involved. Connexions provides a range of services for parents/carers to help you support your son/daughter with the choices and decisions they face. We work with all young people between the ages of 13 and 19, and provide extra support for young people up to the age of 25 with learning difficulties and disabilities.

What parents and carers can expect from us

Connexions want to help you support your children so that they can make the best of their future.

• All advice is impartial and discussions will remain confidential
• You can make an appointment to see a Personal Adviser by telephoning your local Connexions centre to arrange an interview
• Personal Advisers usually attend school/college parents evenings where you can talk to them informally
• You may be invited to events organised by Connexions Black Country

You can also check out the Connexions Direct parents and carers website pages

Download the national Connexions publication for parents/carers of students in Year 9 and above, in English or 10 other languages.

While your child is at school or college, we offer:

• Help to understand options and make decisions
• Information and guidance on careers, education and training choices
• Advice on CVs, interviews and applications for courses and jobs
• Help to find a course, job or training (work-based learning) vacancy
• Information on lifestyle, leisure and volunteering opportunities
• Extra help and support if your child needs it, to deal with any problems or issues
• Specialist help for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities

How you can help your teenager:

• Keep up-to-date with developments in education, work-based learning or employment, and with voluntary opportunities
• Encourage your son/daughter to make use of the resources and opportunities available to them
• Talk to us whenever you have a concern or enquiry
• Inform us of any change in address or any other details so that we can keep in touch with you and your son / daughter

Personal support

As a parent or carer you know only too well that your teenager's life is not just about learning and earning. Unfortunately, there are sometimes problems to cope with - and that can be hard for the family too.

Your teenager's Connexions Personal Adviser is someone who will listen and share your concerns. Connexions provides a gateway to expert advice and help for your teenager in any area of their life where they need support. The kinds of things that Connexions can support your son or daughter with include:

• Health and well being
• Bullying
• Drugs, alcohol and smoking
• Pregnancy
• Illness and bereavement
• Mental health
• Relationships

Once your child has left school or college

Up to the age of 19, our Personal Advisers continue to work with young people who have left education, whatever their needs may be. We can also help if your child has lost a job or training placement or if they are having problems finding something suitable. For young people with learning difficulites and/or disabilities, support continues up to the age of 25.

After education, Connexions continues to provide specialised help with any problems in life young people might face that are forming barriers to their success.

Confidentiality

More information on confidentiality and data protection