Families with a parent in prison are being given new “learning and bonding” opportunities.
It is part of Highland Council’s Supporting Parents Improvement Group recommendations and has reached over 400 families in the last year across the Highlands.
The “Peep Learning Together Programme” has just become available and aims to help parents gain confidence in their own abilities and to be the best parents they can.
It supports parents and carers in learning together with their young children underlining the importance of positive play and the impact this has on their child’s education and growth.
Parents and carers can gain an SCQF qualification at level 3, 4 or 5 in a variety of topics relating to early child development.
Inverness prison governor Stephen Coyle said: “It has given the fathers in our care the skills and confidence to shape play in a way which is fun yet maximises the benefits to their children, whilst strengthening the bonds in the wider family group.
“We are delighted this work will be ongoing with a new course starting in September.”
One of the dads who completed the programme is Conor Bennett, he said: “I gained useful skills through the programme that will help me day-to-day when I’ve been released from prison. It gave me a better understanding of parenting and what can help my child.”
Scott Grant also completed the course and had positive things to say about the Peep Programme: “I have really enjoyed the course because it has made me feel more confident in being a first-time dad and I have discovered lots of activities we can do together.”
Gillian Forbes, the Council’s Peep co-ordinator trainer said: “It’s been lovely to watch Scott and Conor grow in confidence over the last 12 weeks and a real privilege to support them in achieving their recent qualifications.”
