Title justification

This expert qualification is part of the new paradigm developing in Europe in the field of family work, linked to social and demographic changes, economic and political crises, as well as the new values and behaviors adopted in today's society, which have complicated the task of parenting. Other associated factors also contribute to this complexity in the socializing task, such as the great diversity of existing family forms and cultures, the need to balance personal, family, and work life, greater sensitivity to situations of violations and lack of child protection, gender-based violence, and the support needs of immigrant families and those with disabled or dependent members. All of these factors increase family variability and the challenges of parenting.

The Council of Europe, aware of the importance of families and the good performance of parental responsibilities in today's society, has promoted the Recommendation Rec (2006) on Policies to Support Positive Parenting.

The concept of positive parenting refers to "parental behavior based on the best interests of the child, which is caring, develops the child's capabilities, is non-violent, and offers recognition and guidance, including setting limits that allow for the child's full development." According to the Recommendation, the objective of parenting is to promote positive parent-child relationships, based on the exercise of parental responsibility, to guarantee the child's rights within the family and optimize the child's potential development and well-being. The Council of Europe Recommendation also aims to ensure that Member States are aware of the need to provide parents with sufficient support mechanisms to fulfill their important responsibilities in the upbringing and education of their children.

To provide adequate support for the practice of positive parenting, it is necessary to have qualified professionals trained in this new approach and the right services to carry out this support work. In particular, professionals interested in adopting this new approach must learn a series of practices, including:

• Promote a proactive approach to family support services rather than just a reactive one in responding to family situations.
• Recognize the great diversity of family forms and develop actions to promote family coexistence
• Guarantee and promote the preservation of family and emotional ties in families at psychosocial risk.
• Promote collaboration, accountability and the promotion of autonomy of
  all families.
• Promote among professionals a positive view of family competencies, even in the most adverse situations, in order to promote them.
• Adopt a more community-based and preventive perspective by considering that efforts must be made to develop protective communities that are sensitive to the needs of families.

Taking into account the specific training needs of professionals who work with families, this online International Expert Program in Positive Parenting and Family Coexistence is offered. It has the following objectives:

1. Learn a new approach to working with families based on prevention and capacity building.
2. Acquire professional skills to promote coexistence in new family forms.
3. Apply instruments and protocols for family assessment from the perspective of positive parenting.
4. Implement evidence-based family intervention programs to promote positive parenting.
5. Reflect on good professional practices in positive parenting.