Parenting Support Commissioning Team
INFORMATION PACK
Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities
Group programme for 3-18 year olds
Strengthening Families 10-14
Group program for 10-14 year olds (Parent’s only/ Young people only & Family session)
Triple P
Triple P Seminars
Aimed at large groups of parents
Triple P Group Stepping Stones
Parents of children with a disability aged 0-12 years
Triple P Standard
Parents of children 0-12 with mild to severe behavioural or emotional problems
Triple P Enhanced
Parents of children 0-12 with mild to severe behavioural or emotional problems
Summary of Courses
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) has been adapted for
use in the UK by the Race Equality Foundation and has been used extensively with
families from a broad range of communities across England
Who it is for
This is a universal, preventive programme, suitable for any parent of children aged 3 to 18.
Target groups
This programme has been designed for use with parents from all communities. Inaddition, it has been used successfully and extensively in the UK with families of ablack or minority ethnic background, with marginalised groups, and fathers.
Programme goals
The programme aims to increase parental self-esteem, increase parental confidenceand achieve positive change in family relationships. In addition, the programme aimsto reduce child behavioural difficulties and help parents build child self-esteem.
Measuring outcomes
Developers’ own measure to rate parent-child interaction; scientifically validated
questionnaires (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Warwick-Edinburgh
Mental Well-being Scale, Being a Parent Tool) also utilised.
Effectiveness
The programme has been shown to improve parental self-esteem and confidenceand improve family relationships. In addition, there is some evidence that theprogramme reduces child behavioural problems. Independent evaluation has alsodemonstrated that SFSC has been successful in engaging BME parents and othermarginalised groups.
Programme delivery
The programme can be delivered in a range of locations including children’s centres, faith-based centres, prisons, schools, and community centres. It is run for 13sessions of three hours’ each.
Underpinning theory
Based on physical, cognitive, social and emotional development milestones as wellas on attachment theory, behavioural theories, social learning theory, and socialecological theory of human development, social psychology, andragogy andexperiential learning.
Equality and diversity
At the heart of the whole SFSC programme is an ethos of equality, diversity andinclusion. These themes run throughout the course. Within the curriculum itself timeis spent exploring ethnic/cultural roots and how they impact on parents’ values,experiences and hopes for children. The curriculum also focuses on the role ofparents in their communities, recognising that for good parenting to thrive it needs asuitable environment.
The parent materials are available in a range of languages and formats includingBraille, large print and easy words and pictures. There is no requirement for literacyamong participants. Practitioner training also ensures that those who deliver thetraining are clear about the value of strategies for ensuring engagement of parentsfrom all communities.
Programme specific resources
Parent manual costs £12 each. There are some optional resources: a Child Activities
Supplement manual £85; promotional materials £5 per pack; DVDs (suitable forrecruitment and information provision) £10 each.
Facilitator materials such as the full curriculum (delivery guidance) and a disccontaining all PowerPoint slides, parent handouts and forms are provided as part ofthe five day core training programme.
Origins of programme
The SFSC programme is the UK version of the US programme ‘Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families: A Violence Prevention Programme’. The programme was originallydeveloped by Dr Marilyn Steele and colleagues. SFSC has been through anextensive review process with professionals and parents in the UK. Languagechanges have been made throughout to move materials away from US English toUK English. Content changes have introduced contextual and legislative informationspecific to the UK. Parent materials have been translated into 20 languages.
Venue
A large warm and comfortable room with seating arranged in a circle. An additionalspace should be provided for refreshments and catering (within the room or anotherroom). A room for a crèche if one is being provided (this must be suitable forchildren).
Facilitators required: Two
Ideal group size: Between eight and 15 participants
Resources required to deliver programme
SFSC is a co-facilitative model; therefore two trained facilitators are required in orderto deliver a programme. The time commitment from each facilitator is for 13sessions of thee hours each. Facilitators must also commit to planning andpreparation time on a weekly basis. The amount of time required does depend onthe experience of thefacilitators, but we recommended around two hours persession. In addition there may be a time commitment for recruitment of parents.Facilitators need to be supported by their line manager through regular supervision.Additional expert supervision is also available from the Foundation’s ParentProgramme Officers. Either an OHP or PowerPoint projector, flip chart and markers,AV equipment (optional), paper or pens will also be needed.Programme materials for parents and other resources are available including two
DVDs with parents talking about the programme (both useful recruitment tools) other recruitment resources are available such as posters and templates for flyers.
Support arrangements for parents
A number of other resources to support parents to participate are required, thisincludes:
- Suitable venue;
- Refreshments; and
- SFSC parent manuals
Other resources can include:
- Childcare
- Transportation; and
- Community Language or British Sign Language interpreters
Where possible, it is recommended that facilitators deliver in the appropriatelanguage for the target group. However, the use of interpreters has also beenimplemented successfully.
Strengthening Families 10 –14 UK parenting programme
Who it is for
Parents of children aged between 10 –14 years at universal and targeted levels.
Target groups
Children with general behaviour and conduct problems, with a focus on preventingSubstance misuse
Programme goals
- To reduce children’s behavioural and conduct problems and preventsubstance misuse.
- Prevent later anti-social behaviour by increasing both parents’ and children’sself-confidence and self-esteem.
- Improve parent-child interactions through better communication and the useofappropriate limits and consequences of behaviour.
Measuring outcomes
Multi-informant measures are used to assess general behaviour and conductproblems. Scientifically validated measures are used to assess use of substances(e.g. alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana) and structured observations to evaluateaggression and destructive behaviour.
Effectiveness
The success of the programme has been measured in a number of independentRCTs. RCTs have been completed on samples in the US, which indicated reducedsubstance use, aggression and hostility and improved school attendance andacademic achievement.
Programme delivery
The programme is delivered in seven weekly sessions lasting two hours’, with fouroptional booster sessions. It consists of parallel group sessions run separately withparents and young people, and a joint family session. It can be delivered in anysuitable setting such as school, community centre or faith-based centre.
Underpinning theory: The programme is based on social learning and humanistic theories.
Equality and diversity
SFP10 –14 (UK) has been designed for and is used with diverse families in rural andurban settings. The programme does not rely heavily on written materials, andfacilitators are provided with strategies for dealing with parents with literacy needsduring SFP10 –14 (UK) training. We encourage male-female combinations oftrainers (and facilitators) when delivering training and facilitating SFP10 –14 (UK)programmes with families.
Programme specific resources
For each group: manuals and posters (£254) and DVDs (£185) need to bepurchased for participants to share. Programme fridge magnets can be purchased at£18 per 20. There are a range of other programme related products available on thewebsite
Origin of programme
This programme originated in the USA and has been adapted for use in the UK. TheDVD presentation used in the programme portrays parent/caregivers from a range ofethnic backgrounds. We have programme DVDs available in other languages(Spanish and Polish) and we are planning to develop versions in other languages,most notably Asian languages. Issues relating to equality and diversity are discussedin SFP10 –14 (UK) training in relation to access, recruitment and retention.
Venue
Two rooms: one for parents/caregivers to meet in and one for young people. Oneroom needs to be big enough to accommodate parents/caregivers and young peoplewhen doing joint activities and playing games.
Facilitators required: Three SFP trained facilitators are required to deliver the programme, supported byhelpers as appropriate.
Ideal group size
The ideal group size is six to ten families (approximately 12 to 20 individuals).Resources required to deliver the programme: DVD player and TV are needed foreach session. Two large rooms to allow for group activities and games, flip charts or white boardsAdditional ‘props’ required for each session are listed in the manual ona week by week basis.
Support arrangements: Refreshments, food, childcare, transport, interpreters and signers are requiredaccordingto the needs of families.
ParentingTriple P Parenting Programmes
Triple P is a multilevel system of parenting programmes. CWDC is offering trainingin a range of courses from level 2 to 5, which are described below. Information isgiven about programme delivery and practitioner training for each course beingoffered at each level.
Who they are for
Parents (including grandparents, extended family or relevant carers) of children (0-12)and teenagers (12 -16) with mild to severe behavioural or emotional problems
Target groups
Triple P has been used with a wide range of families including children with, or at riskof, persistent conduct problems (ODD and CD), ADHD, internalising problems,parents at risk of child maltreatment and with histories of domestic violence.Programmes have been successfully delivered as prevention interventions and alsoas treatment interventions in both primary care and tertiary treatment settingsincluding inpatient child psychiatry units, outpatient clinics and family counsellingservices. The programme’s multilevel framework tailors information, advice andprofessional support to the needs of individual families. It recognises that parentshave differing needs and desires regarding the type, intensity and mode ofassistance they require.
Programme goals
Triple P is a multilevel system of parental support. As a population level strategy itprovides five levels of intervention of increasing strength for families with childrenaged between birth and 16. It delivers the minimally sufficient effective intervention aparent requires in order to deflect a child away from more serious problems. Trainingis offered in both individual and group delivery to tailor the strength and format to theneeds and requirements of individual families.
Specifically the programme aims to:
1)Enhance the knowledge, skills, confidence, self-sufficiency and resourcefulness of
Parents
2) Promote nurturing, safe, engaging, non-violent and low conflict environments for children
3) Promote children’s social, emotional, language,intellectual and behavioural competencies through positive parenting practices.
Measuring outcomes
A set of standardised parent report questionnaires are used pre and postinterventionto assess programme outcomes and consumer satisfaction with theprogramme
Effectiveness
Triple P has been carefully evaluated through a series of controlled evaluationsincluding RCTs and controlled single subject experiments. Evaluations have beenconducted invarious countries including Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, USand the Netherlands. The programme has been demonstrated to be effective acrossmultiple sites, investigator teams and countries. Overall, consistent findings are thatTriple P enhances parenting skills and confidence and reduces childhood emotionaland behaviouralproblems. The intervention effects typically maintain over time.
Programme delivery
The programme can be delivered in a variety of community and service settingsincluding schools, community centres and inpatient locations. Programme deliveryranges from self-directed activities to seminars, right through to delivery over aneight- to ten-week period with 60-120 minute consultations in either individual orgroup formats.
Underpinning theory
All the Triple P programmes draw on a variety of theoretical perspectives includingsocial learning theory, developmental research on the promotion of socialcompetence and attachment, social information processing models, research on riskand protective factors and family systems theory. This blended theoreticalperspective incorporates a public health framework.
Equality and diversity
All the Triple P programmes include explicit guidance on how to engage fathers,BME groups and at-risk parents through flexible scheduling of programmes, specificrecruitment and engagement strategies, specific guidance on how to accommodatedifferent learning styles and literacy of different parents. Additional guidanceregarding tailoring to special needs of parents is available through the Triple PProvider Network.
Programme specific resources
Parent resources have been developed for each Triple P programme in the Triple Psystem. Agencies delivering Triple P will need to consider the cost of recurrent implementation resources for practitioners to use with families. Adequate resourcingof practitioners after training is required to ensure the successful delivery of theprogramme to parents.
Origin of the programme
Australia. The strategies that are offered to parents have been shown to beacceptable with a wide range of ethnic groups around the world. The programme hasbeen successfully implemented with families from diverse socio-economic andcultural backgrounds in many local authorities in England and Scotland. Researchhas been conducted to document the cultural acceptability of Triple P parentingstrategies with a diverse range of ethnic populations.
Venue
The ideal venue depends on the specific programme being offered. For example,Triple P can be delivered in a single office in either a clinical setting, in parents’homes, in a seminar style lecture theatre, or in a group consultation room.Practitioners may require access to an appropriate room for observing parent-childinteractions.
Facilitators required: One practitioner can deliver each of the programmes.
Ideal group size: Depends on the level of programme, and whether it is group or individual.
Resources required to deliver: DVD player or laptop computer to show the DVD, Projector for PowerPoint theprogramme presentation
Support arrangements: Childcare, interpreting and translation services if required.
Level 2: Selected Triple P (Seminar)
The media-based parenting information campaign can be supported by providing information to parents through primary care services and other community agencies in regular contact with families of young children. Primary care services refer to those services and programs that have wide reach in the community and are therefore readily accessible to parents. These services are well positioned to provide preventively oriented parenting programs because parents use them frequently, see them as credible sources of information about children, and do not associate them with the stigma often attached to seeking specialist mental health services.
The Selected (Individual Support) Triple P parenting information strategy involves primary care professionals in regular contact with families having periodic discussions with parents about developmental and behavioural issues, and providing parents with information about how to cope with specific child-rearing issues. Parenting tip sheets and videos can be used as part of anticipatory developmental guidance provided by the practitioner. Each tip sheet suggests effective ways of preventing or solving a common child management or developmental problem and typically includes information about the problem, why the problem may develop, how to prevent the problem, how to manage or solve the problem, and where to go for further help if required. Agencies display available resource material to prompt parents to request information from their practitioner. Information is provided within a brief consultation format (one or two 10-minute sessions) that clarifies the presenting problem, explains the materials and tailors the information to the family’s needs. Families are invited to return for further help if they have any difficulties.
Level 2 interventions may also include the Triple P Seminar Series. These are designed for delivery to large groups of parents and include three 90 minute sessions. The seminar series includes specific seminars on the following topics The Power of Positive Parenting; Raising Confident, Competent Children; Raising Resilient Children. Seminars are used to promote awareness of Triple P and as informative brief information sessions for any parent. The sessions include a structured presentation and a question and answer session. Other program resources including tip sheets can be displayed in the room and practitioners can be on hand to deal with individual inquiries and requests for further assistance.
You may prefer to come along to Triple P seminars. This is a great way to cover key areas we know many parents want information and help with including:
- Understanding general parenting issues, why children tend to behave in certain ways under certain influences, and what they best respond to.
- Dealing decisively and effectively with behaviours such as aggression, non-cooperation and disobedience.
- Recognising and managing situations that might be less obvious such as sadness, anxiety, difficulty with separation and problems mixing with other children.
In around 90 minutes each, this series of three seminars will leave you feeling more confident and competent and ready to deal with common child behavioural and emotional issues.
Group Stepping Stones Triple P
Parents of children with a disability (up to 12 years old) requiring intensive training in positive parenting or those who wish to learn a variety of parenting skills to apply to multiple contexts. These parents can commit to 8 weeks of regular appointments.
Those who are able to provide long term regular group interventions, including school counsellors, nurses, psychologists, social workers.
Group Stepping Stones Triple P is a behavioural family intervention designed for delivery to groups of parents who have children with a developmental disability. It is suitable for parents with concerns about their child’s behaviour or who wish to learn a variety of parenting skills that will promote their child’s development and potential. Group SSTP is ideal as a universal prevention strategy where all parents entering an early intervention or school age service participate.