Barriers to Parental Engagement

Unfortunately, parents can often feel excluded or isolated for a variety of reasons. It is vital that schools ensure all parents are involved in their child's learning in ways that suit their needs. Adolescents growing up in families who are vulnerable to poorer outcomes tend to leave school with lower levels of educational attainment. This can have a significant impact on social mobility and poverty. There are many reasons why parents might not be engaged in their child’s education and it is important that schools and parents work together to identify what the barriers are and how they can be overcome. Some of the barriers may include: Practical issues such as lack of time or availability, Lack of information about the school, Lack of opportunities to get involved or not knowing how to get involved with schoolsBusy work schedulesLack of transportLack of childcare Poor health including stress 
Negative experiences of education from their own childhood which can lead to a lack of confidence to engage, feeling distanced or alienated by schools and teachers. While a lack the knowledge and confidence to support their children with their homework or future career planning may cause reluctance.  Some parents living in areas of multiple deprivation can suffer from isolation in their own community which can lead them to feel embarrassed, cautious or unable to engage with schools. Parents’ evenings and Parent Councils may not be options for parents in this context. 
Parents of children with a disability can face multifaceted barriers in engaging with education. These families' engagement in their child’s education can be held back by the multiple concerns and challenges involved in caring for the overall wellbeing of their child. The processes for negotiating support for their child and engaging with the education system can be confusing, intimidating and discouraging for families. Families can struggle to understand all the rights their child is entitled to in order to act as their advocates. Due to this, parents of children with a disability often express feeling excluded from important discussions and decisions made about their child’s education. All these factors can affect the building of relationships with schools.