The environment in which we operate is quite complex and below are some of the key factors. Whilst this is based on the UK, there are similar circumstances and conditions within most countries and communities. The potential for the unique approach of combining coaching with emotional literacy techniques of Develop Your Child, particularly in the area of empowering families is fast developing into a huge opportunity. It is beyond question that by supporting families we will be unleashing the potential of our children and young people.

What we are doing!
We are proactive in supporting families across the world and collaborating with National and Local Governments. Ask for a copy of our comprehensive proposal “To change the fabric of our society from the inside out” – within the family where it starts.

1) We are in discussions with the Government to introduce our approach into the mainstream as there is virtually no support for the ‘average’ family particularly those parents of teenagers. The major benefit of our approach is it’s preventative and has sustainability built in.

2) We are also in contact with the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in Australia and the Minister for Social Development and Employment in New Zealand who are very interested in our approach

3) Our 'Empowering families' course run on behalf of Medway Adult Education and the Awards for All grant for the Family Coaching project has enjoyed enormous success with many participants wanting to be trained and be a part of our team

4) An exciting development is our new 'Parent Champion' programme run over four phases, based in Children's Centres and funded by Awards for All. It empowers a parent to take control of/and responsibility for their life, change relationships with their children and the family dynamic to become motivated and confident to seek training and employment opportunities. Then they facilitate parent and toddler groups by introducing our approach, train to become DYC Family Coaches and undertake an externally accredited course. They are changing the culture of parenting in communities one at a time. See www.parentchampion.com

5) Two of our family training programmes are accredited by OCN:
DYC Family Coach Certificate
An exciting introduction to the effectiveness of family coaching and to the transformational Develop Your Child approach
DYC Family Coach Diploma
Ideal for any professional in a relevant field who wants to make a difference to family relationships. For example; social workers, educators, home/school/community co-ordinators, parenting practitioners etc to incorporate the unique DYC approach in their work

6) The DYC Authorised Licence Training programme is a life changing experience over four days to integrate our approach and tailor it for licensees’ individual use. Currently includes a range of 11 programmes and another 100 files of resources specifically designed for use within families

7) We have united our coach/trainers in a supportive community that keeps us all connected and informed of what’s new and what’s working. It also allows us to collaborate geographically as well as professionally

8) We are piloting two programmes: one working with students, teachers and parents as a group and individually to create an "Ethos of Empowerment" around young people, and “Get a New Life” to attract and engage with hard to reach families both at home and in school.

Why are we doing it?
We know that parents feel huge relief and joy when they experience the success of harmonious relationships with their children. We recognise that children are different these days, and that parenting can move into alignment with today’s children when we share information and simple tools with them. Our world is ready for a new way to parent; a way that supports families and creates community at the same time.

1) If you have experienced family breakdown, you are;
- 75% more likely to fail at school
- 70% more likely to be a drug addict
- 50% more likely to have alcohol problems
- 40% more likely to have serious debt problems
- 35% more likely to be unemployed
And 70 per cent of young offenders come from lone-parent families.
The cost of family breakdown is now well over £20 billion per annum.
The Centre for Social Justice Published March 2007

2) Child Poverty in the UK is amongst the worst in the developed world according to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. The UK ranks 20th out of 23 countries in the table of relative poverty in the EU – classed as families with an income less than half the national average. (Report Jun 2000). And according to the 2002 Mayor of London report, 50% of schoolchildren in Greater London live in income poverty. A report by CPAG (Child Poverty Action Group) shows that there are 4 million children living in poverty in the UK. This is a growing problem - 1.4 million children lived in poverty in 1979

3) Rising numbers of children are suffering mental health problems caused by family breakdown and peer pressure, a report suggests. It says that more than a quarter of under-16s regularly feel depressed because of the stresses of family life, friendships and school. The report by the Good Childhood Inquiry is part of a two-year inquiry into the state of modern childhood commissioned by the Children’s Society. It comes after Unicef concluded that Britain was one of the worst places in the industrialised world to be a child

4) Family Division judge Mr Justice Coleridge warned the breakdown of the family would, within 20 years, "be as marked and as destructive as global warming". He said that in urban areas family life was "in meltdown or completely unrecognisable". And “children born into broken homes were increasingly turning to drink, drugs and crime, and the results were affecting the mental health of parents and children across the country”

5) Nursery World states ‘20% of children are statemented for special educational needs in 2006’ although if you ask primary schools they say more and more children are requiring ‘special needs’

6) One in four children now lives with a lone parent, according to a study showing the full extent of family breakdown in Britain. The independent report by the Office for National Statistics states that the number of children in single-parent families has almost doubled in 20 years

7) Commenting on the latest government unemployment statistics that show there are now over half a million 18-24 years olds out of work, an increase of 15,000 on the last quarter British Chambers of Commerce Director General, David Frost said: "This is a national disgrace, which is a direct consequence of the failure of our education system to engage young people and prepare them for the world of work. When 45 per cent of 16 year olds do not reach the minimum employability standard of five GCSEs at grade A-C including English and math, it is no wonder that so many are unemployed.

8) Recent EU research finds 56% of British people think people's lives will get worse over the next 20 years, with only 36% saying they will get better. Six of out 10 think we will suffer as a result of global competition, and a staggering 84% think the divide between rich and poor will increase.

What is the potential?
So many families, so little time! As we build momentum and recognition we need more coaches. As large, progressive companies and world governments address the importance of family strength, we need more coaches with our shared passion and the training that allows us to collaborate.

1) The range of recent legislation and initiatives, Every Child Matters, Respect Agenda, Youth Matters, Children and Young Peoples Plans, local authority Commissioner for parenting support, Sure Start Children’s Centres, healthy schools, extended schools and Safeguarding Children

2) Under the Every Child Matters legislation local authorities were restructured into Adult Services and Children’s Services so where do families fall?

3) The Integrated Area Teams consist of Social Work, Educational Psychology, Primary Behaviour Support Service, Educational Welfare Service, Learning Support Service, Family Centres, CAST, LSS Autism, Home/School Support, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Looked After Children Team and Child Development Centres. They are overwhelmed, under resourced and under funded, only dealing with CAF level 3 needs – that is children actually being abused

4) The Government has spent £30 million on setting up the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners to improve the quality of professional services to parents

5) There is an emotional divide between children and their parents. This is evidenced by more children requiring ‘special needs’ in schools and their parents lack of emotional literacy which I understand is mainly due to when the National Curriculum was introduced in 1988. In addition we have changes in society with more pressure on parents to work which takes them away from the home and family. Market driven aspirations create dissatisfaction and disillusionment as parents are unable to manage their emotions and therefore feel failures. Children are influenced by forces outside the home - the internet, the media and their peers. They spend more time in a solitary environment, in their room, on a computer, in front of a DVD, listening to an mp3 player or ‘just’ texting friends

6) The Government has responded by introducing a ‘Social and emotional aspects of learning’ course in primary schools and recently into secondary’s. Is this given enough priority within the climate of examination success at all costs? What about the young people and parents ‘in the gap’?

7) Parents’ are being blamed for the bad behaviour of their children and the impositions from the “Nanny State” are eroding their ability and confidence. They feel failures and stigmatised and are unlikely to ask government agencies for help for fear of losing their children

8) We were invited to give evidence to The House of Parliament Social Justice Policy Group, Family Breakdown and Education working parties http://www.developyourchild.co.uk/hofpjan07.pdf where we advocated an integrated approach. The evidence was collated and produced as Breakthrough Britain the policy recommendations to the Conservative Party who want to be known as the ‘Family Friendly Party’

9) Professor Tanya Byron, leading clinical psychologist, who used to produce “The House of Tiny Tearaways” and parenting programmes is not doing any more as she now proposes the approach of empowering parents to trust their instincts

10) There are an increasing number of coaches around the world and a growing interest in parents and family coaching. To my knowledge we are the only training organisation working with and within the whole family, certainly our approach is unique

11) We have a growing network of licensees in the UK, United States, Sweden, New Zealand and Singapore, with interest from Ireland, Denmark, South Africa and Australia.