[Click here for a printable version of this charter]

Definitions for the purposes of this charter:

Parent: Any person to whom parental responsibility has been imbued or allowed or who has assumed such responsibility through birth, agreement or other means, this shall include a child’s natural mother and/or father whether together or separated by estrangement or divorce, adoptive parents, foster parents for the duration of the fostering arrangement or the partner by cohabitation of one of the above, excepting in each case where a court has ordered that such responsibility shall not apply through access restrictions or other injunction
Child: A person who has not yet reached adulthood
Right: Legal privilege
Organisation: Any agency, authority, company, corporation, government department, service or goods supplier that is signatory to this charter

Contents

1 Parental responsibility
2 Parental rights/choices
3 Parental concerns
4 Some legal considerations
5 Signature

1 Parental responsibility

1.1 Parents will be expected to take responsibility for their children’s physical, social and moral welfare
1.2 Parents will be expected to consider the child’s physical, social and moral welfare above and beyond their own wants or needs
1.3 Parents will be expected to educate their children in compliance with the law
1.4 Parents will be expected to ensure their children behave within the law
1.5 Parents will be expected to ensure their children behave with consideration for other people
1.6 Parents will be expected where appropriate to provide discipline and guidance to their children in accordance with paragraphs 1.4 and 1.5 above
1.6.1 Discipline shall never exceed reasonable chastisement and shall not include any action or behaviour intended to cause physical or mental harm to the child nor shall it be imposed for the benefit of the parent
1.6.2 Where it is shown that a parent has exercised reasonable discipline but the behaviour or actions of the child continue to warrant further attention, either immediate or longer term, then
1.6.2a that parent has the right to expect assistance from external agencies, and
1.6.2b shall not be subjected to unhelpful legislation or interference

2 Parental rights/choices

2.1 Parents shall have the right to act as parent to their children without undue impediment or interference subject to section 1 above
2.2 Parents shall have the right to make choices on behalf of their children until such time as general law confers that the right has moved to the child, ie, by reaching adulthood or by the child exercising the right at an appropriate age to choose his or her legal guardian
2.3 Where parents’ rights are limited by non-statutory factors, then parents can expect all reasonable steps to be taken to moderate, reduce or eliminate said non-statutory factors where they may contravene the rights allowed under paragraph 2.2 above
2.4 Where parents rights are limited by statute, then the parent will be empowered to exercise their parental right within the limit of the law as applicable at that time
2.5 Parents shall have the right to be fully informed of any matters pertaining to their children

3 Parental concerns

3.1 In the event of a dispute between a parent and any organisation - in so far as parental rights are concerned - the right of the parent shall prevail
3.2 Parents have the right to lobby on behalf of their children and to maintain their rights as parents subject to section 1 and paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 above
3.3 Organisations involved in a dispute with parents - in so far as parental rights are concerned - shall respond to the complainant according to a defined code of practice as stated here-in.
3.3.1 The parent’s request, complaint or desired course of action shall be at least acknowledged, in writing, within seven days of receipt
3.3.2 Where the request, complaint or desired course of action is not or can not be resolved within seven days then the acknowledgement letter must set out in clear and simple terms what will happen next and advise that a more detailed response will be made in writing within 28 days
3.3.3 If the 28 days deadline cannot be met then a detailed letter of explanation of why it cannot be met must be sent to the parent and must include
3.3.3a a detailed plan of any action proposed by the organisation, and
3.3.3b details of how the parent can take the matter to an external agency empowered by charter or other agreement to resolve the matter

4 Some legal considerations

By my signature (below) to this document, which I understand shall be held on file by The Parent Organisation Ltd, I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions above. I agree that the terms and conditions may be amended from time to time as may be necessary by law but that I will be notified of any such changes, thereby allowing me to withdraw from my participation at any time.

I understand that my signature to this charter does not confer upon me any legal right other than by way of agreement with any other parties also signatory to it but not in any way contrary to law. This charter is a declaration of intent to adhere to best practice guidelines and shall form the basis of an agreement between only the signatories to it.

I understand that my signature to this document does not confer any right to promote or publicise participation in this charter, without the prior written consent of The Parent Organisation Ltd

This document has been drawn up by the directors of The Parent Organisation Ltd. Neither The Parent Organisation Ltd nor its directors, jointly or separately, shall be held liable for any damages resulting from participation in this charter.

Organisations that are signatories of this charter will have their details printed on the website of The Parent Organisation Ltd. Parents will not be similarly identified.

This file, of Parent’s details, will be managed in accordance with the legislation as provided by The Data Protection Act. Details will not be passed outside of The Parent Organisation Ltd save where an organisation asks for specific confirmation that a named parent is a Parent Charter member when determining a course of action as may be required to satisfy its obligations under section 3.3 of the Parents Charter.

We may, from time to time, wish to make offers to you or seek your views on parent related matters.
Please indicate, in the box in section 5, (it looks like this one ), that we can contact you in future. If you do not tick or cross or place a mark in the box we will be unable to contact you to make offers to you or to seek your opinion by reference to our Parents Charter database.

We reserve the right to advertise our activities generally and cannot prevent information reaching you as part of a promotion that is targeted to people generally rather than at specific individuals.

The Parent Organisation Ltd is a company set up and run according to the following mission statement: Seeking without bias or indoctrination to provide parents with the knowledge, guidance and support they need to make informed choices about the way they raise their children, in the belief that better parents create better parents.

5 Application details [Click here for a printable version of this charter]

I, (print name).............................................. as a parent / as (print title)...................................,

a person legally empowered to sign on behalf of (print name of organisation)...............,

of (print address and postcode).................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................,
hereby agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this charter.

By placing a mark in this box, I understand that I am giving permission to The Parent Organisation Ltd, to include me in any special offers, to send me e-mails, to write to me or to contact me for advertising purposes or to seek opinion from me.

Signature: ___________________________________ Date:__________________

e-mail address: _____________________________________________________

Post your signed copy of this final page of the Parents Charter to:

Parents Charter Application
The Parent Organisation Ltd
PO Box 3697
Sheffield
S36 7WY

Keep the rest of this Parents Charter document for your own reference.

Becoming a signatory to the, The Parents Charter, is free. However, if, as a parent, you would like us to send you a personalised certificate confirming that you have signed the Parents Charter, please do remember to include a cheque or postal order to the value £8.50 made payable to ‘The Parent Organisation Ltd’.

Organisations wishing to obtain a certificate, or wishing to use the Parent Charter membership mark, should apply for a suitable licence by contacting The Parent Organisation Ltd directly.

Is your address complete and correct?

Have you made your mark in the box that enables us to contact you?