Microsoft Teams has launched a new parent connection tool, allowing teachers and parents to directly communicate via the chat function. In this guide, we show you how to enable the connection app using data provisioned by School Data Sync.

There are a few requirements that are essential for setting up the Parent Connection app in Teams:

• School Data Sync needs to be set up to provide the parent and guardian data.
• You need the most up-to-date version of Teams. You may experience a few issues when setting up the Parent Connection app if you’re working on an older version of Teams.

Step one: Turn External Access on to enable the Parent Connection app in Teams.

1. Starting in the Teams Admin Centre, select Users and then External Access.
2. Under Teams and Skype for Business users in external organisations select Allow all external domains.
3. Turn on Team accounts not managed by an organisation and check the box for External users with Teams accounts not managed by an organisation can contact users in my organisation.

Step two: Connect to the Teams PowerShell Module.

1. Copy the script below and paste it into PowerShell.

Install-Module -Name PowerShellGet -Force -AllowClobber

Install-Module -Name MicrosoftTeams -AllowPrerelease -Force –AllowClobber

Note: You may need to update your PowerShell if you run into any issues here.

2. Copy the script below and paste it into PowerShell.

$credential = Get-Credential

Connect-MicrosoftTeams -Credential $credential

Step three: Create policies.

By default, once you turn on the Parent Connection app in Teams, it is turned on for everyone. It’s a good idea to create policies to restrict the app to some users.

1. Use the below command to see which policies you already have set up.

Get-CsExternalAccessPolicy

See how to create/customise policies on the Microsoft guide. 

Step four: Turn on the Parent Connection app in Teams.

1. In Teams Admin Centre, select Manage Apps.
2. Select the Parent Connection app from the list of apps available on Teams (you may have to use the search bar to find the app).
3. Select Allow to turn on the Parent Connection app.

Note: If you cannot see it on Teams, you may need to clear your cache.

Now the Parent Connection app is set up in Teams, you should be able to see and communicate with your students’ parents/guardians.

Things to know about the Microsoft Teams Parent Connection app:

• The Parent Connection app can be enabled for individual teachers and doesn’t have to be turned on for everyone in your organisation.
• There is the ability to block certain external users if needed.
• The parent/guardian data is pulled from School Data Sync so only parents/guardians who have been added to your school data will be able to use this feature.
• You can set up the Parent Connection app to protect teachers’ privacy and prevent parents from being able to see when they are online. In PowerShell, use Set-CsPrivacyConfiguration and set EnablePrivacyMode=true.

We have also created a guide for you to share with teachers to show them how they can easily use Teams to chat with parents using the Parent Connection app. 

The Parent Connection app is a great way to boost parental engagement in their child’s learning and Microsoft has plans to improve this chat function to include even more features. As always, we’ll keep you updated with any new additions to Microsoft for Education.

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