Category: Parenting Books

How to Help a Struggling Parent Stay Committed to the Programme

Parents Plus trainer and supervisor Karin Todd shares her insights for supporting parents who feel stuck, despondent, or ready to give up.

Parents attending a Parents Plus programme are often under pressure and managing multiple challenges. They may believe they’ve tried it all and nothing works! It’s understandable that they can feel a bit stuck in their situation. Your role as a skilled Parents Plus facilitator can make an important difference in their experience of the programme. With the right support, parents can stay committed to and try out new ideas at home.

Here are eight key strategies to help you keep a despondent parent engaged throughout the programme:

1. Set Clear, Positive Goals

Before the programme begins, take time to meet with the parent for the all-important goal-setting session. Setting some positive, achievable goals for attending helps to motivate and focus a parent on the changes they want to see in their family.

2. Build Rapport Early and Often

From your first phone contact and goal setting meeting, through to your weekly group sessions, facilitators are tasked with creating a welcoming and non-judgemental space where trusting relationships flourish. These supportive relationships keep parents coming each week!

3. Highlight Their Strengths

What is already going well for this parent? What works for them and their child? When do they cope well?. Focusing on their strengths fosters a sense of progress and hope, helping them to feel more positive about the changes they’re working towards.

4. Encourage Group Support

The support of other parents in the group can be uplifting for a struggling participant.

Giving others in the group opportunities to empathise with their fellow-parent and offer support, ideas, reassurance is more powerful than anything we can say as a facilitator.

5. Use Parent Session Review Forms

Taking time to review parents feedback each week can indicate if a parent is feeling despondent or at risk of drop-out. Are they feeling supported and understood by their facilitators and peers? If they are not clearly answering yes, then what might they need more of? If a parent shows signs of disengagement, check in to see what additional support they may need. Are they benefiting from the content, or would something different help them achieve their goals?

6. Check in Between Sessions

A quick call or message between sessions is a great way to support a struggling parent to stay engaged. We can offer advice or signposting if relevant but often a listening ear and the fact that you took the time to reach out makes all the difference when they are thinking about coming to the next session.

7. Offer Tailored Family Sessions

For parents facing specific challenges, use family sessions to coach them through problem-solving techniques. This personalised support can help them overcome barriers and stay motivated to apply new strategies at home.

8. Emphasise Self-Care

Self-care is an important thread through each weekly session. Supporting parents to assess how they are caring for themselves as well as their families is an investment of your group’s time. It can assist parents to identify meaningful ways to sustain their well-being not just for the duration of your programme but throughout their parenting journey. So that in times of despondence they can draw on supports and practices that will see them through.

For more tips on facilitating group sessions or to enhance your group facilitation skills, explore the resources in our Parents Plus members area! If you would like to train as a Parents Plus facilitator, find out more about our programmes.

Karin Todd is a Parents Plus trainer and supervisor and is an experienced facilitator of our evidence-based programmes. Her professional background includes youth and community work, service management and therapeutic family work. Karin has a special interest in adolescent psychotherapy and in the family experience of parental separation and loss. She currently works n a community-based setting as a family support practitioner.

October 17, 2024
Encouraging Parent Participation in a Group
Practical Tips for Handling Silence and Creating Connections

When learning group facilitation skills practitioners often ask: “What if nobody responds when I ask a question?” It’s normal for parents to take some time to open up and share their thoughts and experiences, especially in group settings. This doesn’t mean they have nothing to say! It just means they may need a bit more support to feel comfortable speaking up. As a facilitator, your role is to create an environment where parents feel safe, respected, and connected.

Here are a few strategies to encourage parent participation in a group:
1. Before the programme starts, take time to meet with each parent one-on-one. This is an opportunity to get to know the parents, understand their goals, and start building rapport. It’s also a chance to lay the foundation for open communication during group sessions.
1. Early on, establish a group agreement, setting expectations for how the group will work together, support one another, and respect differing opinions and viewpoints. This can ease concerns around judgment and confidentiality, making parents more comfortable and more likely to contribute.
1. Use facilitation techniques from your Parents Plus training:
  - Try a group round where each parent shares their thoughts.
  - Use breakout rooms or small groups which are more comfortable for some parents.
  - Invite specific parents to contribute by using their name, e.g., “What are your thoughts on this, Lisa?”
  - Use the chat function for online sessions to give everyone a chance to share without speaking out loud.
  - Tune in to parents and pay attention to feedback forms—are parents feeling supported? Are they making progress? If needed, follow up between sessions.
While there’s lots we can do to support parents’ participation, it’s also important to remember that some parents will prefer to speak less, and that’s okay. As Parents Plus facilitators we can appreciate that respecting their comfort level is part of good facilitation. Finally, don’t be afraid of silence – it often gives parents the time they need to gather their thoughts before responding. A little silence is absolutely fine!

For more tips on facilitating group sessions or to enhance your group facilitation skills, explore the resources in our Parents Plus members area!

Karin Todd is a Parents Plus trainer and supervisor and is an experienced facilitator of our evidence-based programmes. Her professional background includes youth and community work, service management and therapeutic family work. Karin has a special interest in adolescent psychotherapy and in the family experience of parental separation and loss. She currently works in a community-based setting as a family support practitioner.
September 19, 2024
Insights from Our Recent Community of Practice with Better Finglas
Gill Moses and Eileen Brosnan from Parents Plus, recently facilitated a bespoke Community of Practice session with a group of practitioners from Better Finglas who were trained in and delivering the Parents Plus ADHD programme to families in their area.

The online ADHD Community of Practice session was specifically tailored to the topics and challenges for this highly motivated and skilled group of Finglas based practitioners. It was full of discussion, sharing of experience, reflection on core facilitation skills and troubleshooting – the 90 minutes flew by.

Focus for this group:
- Content and structure for the post-programme follow-up group session offered to participating parents at 3 or 6 months after the 8 week programme ends.
- Ensure the parents come back and get the opportunity to talk through their successes, continuing challenges and get onward signposting to any further support needed.
- The importance of parent feedback
- Refreshed on the Solution Focused Practice model
- Applying this approach to group work and the pre group individual goal setting sessions.
Feedback from the Better Finglas practitioners
- “Sharing of information for programme follow up sessions – it gave me a real fire in my belly to arrange the session for parents that had attended as I truly believe it will be very beneficial for them to reconnect.”
- “Really helpful discussions and information/tips supporting facilitation skills and challenges of delivery.”
- “To have a space to reflect and discuss our learning as a group.”
- “Knowing there are ongoing Community of Practice sessions and opportunities to check in with Parents Plus when needed.”
Better Finglas is an Area-Based Childhood (ABC) programme for Prevention and Early Intervention, funded by the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth (DCDEIY), delivered through the Prevention Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) within Tusla. Bernardo’s is the lead agency for Better Finglas.

A key aim is to respond to family support and parenting needs in their community. Having identified the need for families struggling to support their children around ADHD issues, many of whom were on waitlists for assessments and services, the team set about their first round of delivering the Parents Plus ADHD programme. This programme is suitable for parents of children with a diagnosis of ADHD, as well as for parents of children with symptoms of ADHD and/or who are awaiting assessment.

Book your place on a Community of Practice Session
September 19, 2024
Empowering Adolescents with the Parents Plus Adolescents Programme

The Parents Plus Adolescents Programme is an evidenced-based training is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and techniques they need to help adolescents navigate the complexities of this transitional phase of life.

About the Programme Training: Adolescence, a time of significant developmental changes, can present unique challenges that require the understanding and support of trained professionals. At Parents Plus, we have developed the Adolescents Programme Training for professionals, an evidence-based approach focused on empowering adolescents, enhancing communication, and fostering strong relationships.

Programme Details: The programme comprises a comprehensive training package of active learning. It includes group activities, role-plays, video observation, and feedback sessions, ensuring that each participant receives hands-on experience and comprehensive insights into the programme’s methodologies. The next Parents Plus Adolescents Programme training is on the 26th June.

Key Benefits – Participating in this training provides several key benefits:

Skills Development: The training sharpens essential skills for professionals such as active listening, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

Evidence-Based Approach: The programme is based on extensive research and has proven efficacy in various settings, ensuring you are employing techniques backed by scientific evidence.

Improved Outcomes: The programme’s focus on strengthening relationships and promoting positive behaviour and communication ensures better outcomes for families raising an adolescent.

Ongoing Support: Post-training, participants gain access to ongoing supervision and support from the Parents Plus team, assuring continuous development and learning.

The Adolescents Programme Training from Parents Plus represents a great opportunity for professionals in the field. The training offers the chance to deepen your understanding of adolescent development, sharpen your practical skills, and be a part of a community dedicated to supporting families raising an adolescent.

The next Parents Plus Adolescents Programme training is on the 26th, 27th, 28th June & 1st & 2nd July 2024 (9.15am-1pm)

Learn more about the Adolescents Programme Training and how it can benefit your professional practice HERE.

April 29, 2024
Working Things Out in North Sommerset

The Parents Plus Working Things Out Programme provides professionals with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies to equip young people with coping skills, helpful thinking strategies, improved conflict resolution and communication skills, and reduced stress levels.

This evidence-based programme builds on young people’s strengths and positive relationships with their families, peers, schools, and communities. The programme can be used by professionals as a preventative mental health measure to promote positive coping or as an intervention for young people with identified mental health problems.

Below is the experience of North Somerset Family Support Worker, Leanne Pugh, of running the Parents Plus Working Things Out Programme:

“My name is Leanne Pugh and I am a Family Support Worker in North Somerset. So far, I have experience of running and co-facilitating one Parents Plus Working Things Out programme.

We ran this programme for eight weeks, in-person and the feedback has been incredible. We have witnessed the young people flourish. The biggest impact appears to be the relationship the young people have developed with their parents. We ran the programme alongside the Parents Plus Adolescent Programme, and it was a really successful way of doing it.

Here are some of the things we heard from the programme attendees:

“My mum came and sat in my room last night to chat”

“We actually went for a family walk”

“My sister stole my makeup again and I didn’t react instead, I told my mum”

The parents on the Parents Plus Adolescent Programme all gave positive feedback too:

“I’ve been using the pause button and it really helps”

“We played a game together at the weekend”

“She has grown so much in her confidence”

“Parent Plus programmes are really straightforward and easy to deliver. You get all the information you need to deliver the course, and from the very first session there are tips and ideas for the families to try at home.

“Parents Plus offer ongoing support and deliver their training in a fun way. If you get the chance to deliver the Parents Plus Adolescent Programme alongside Working Things Out, I would highly recommend it.”

Studies have shown that young people who complete the Working Things Out programme report improved coping skills, reduced behavioural and emotional problems, improved family communication, and significant gains on personal goals. Parents Plus provides a comprehensive package of pre and post-training supports to professionals and managers, including implementation support, individual and group supervision sessions, advanced training workshops, extra resources to facilitate delivery, support to promote and market your Parents Plus courses, and advice and guidance on evaluating and monitoring outcomes in your agency.

Completing the two-day Working Things Out Programme training will license you to co-deliver the programme under supervision in both group and one-to-one sessions with parents. For facilitators who want to take their practice to a higher level, Parents Plus also offers an established accreditation process to refine their facilitation skills and professional practice and reach a high standard of delivery.

The Working Things Out Programme offers a comprehensive, evidence-based solution for professionals to equip young people with positive coping mechanisms and a healthy mental health outlook. With the right skills and knowledge, professionals can make a significant difference in the lives of young people experiencing mental health concerns, difficulties, and conflict.

Learn More About This Programme

April 26, 2024
Empowering Families: The Impact of the Parents Plus Children’s Programme
Parenting is a complex journey where guiding children through their early years demands a mix of love, understanding, and practical strategies.

The evidence based Parents Plus Children’s Programme offers a comprehensive approach to nurturing positive family dynamics. As a facilitator of this impactful programme, professionals are equipped with the tools to empower parents to navigate the complexities of child-rearing with confidence.

About the programme

At its core, the Parents Plus Children’s Programme is designed to address the multifaceted needs of families. By training as a facilitator, you gain insight into effective methods to support parents in managing behaviour and emotional challenges, thus fostering an environment where children can thrive emotionally and socially. The programme emphasises the importance of building self-esteem and confidence in children, laying a strong foundation for their development.

One of the programme’s critical components is its focus on reducing parental stress. By providing parents with practical problem-solving skills and strategies to establish positive daily routines, the programme alleviates the pressures of parenting. This proactive approach not only benefits the parents but also contributes to a harmonious family life.

Moreover, the Parents Plus Children’s Programme encourages the development of connected and close family relationships. Facilitators are trained to guide parents in engaging with their children in meaningful ways, thereby enhancing the family bond. Additionally, the programme places a significant emphasis on encouraging children’s learning and school work, recognising the pivotal role of education in a child’s life.

Who is the training for?

The facilitator training is designed to cater to a wide range of professionals who are in a position to make an impact on the lives of families.

This includes:
- HSE Primary Care Teams (Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Public Health Nurses)
- Professionals from Family Resource Centres, Children and Young People’s Services Committees, and Home School Liaison Officers (HSCL), TESS
- Primary School Teachers, TUSLA Parenting Support Champions Project, and TUSLA Child and Family Agency Teams
- Regional Parent support networks and Area Based Childhood Programmes
This diverse audience underscores the programme’s versatility and its capacity to be applied across various settings.

Proven Impact

The efficacy of the Parents Plus Children’s Programme is not merely theoretical but is backed by tangible outcomes observed in primary schools, mental health, and disability settings.

Families who have participated in the programme report significant improvements in their children’s social behaviour and a reduction in behaviour and emotional problems. Perhaps most importantly, the programme has been shown to decrease parental stress and increase parental confidence, which are critical components of a healthy family dynamic.

The Parents Plus Children’s Programme stands out as an important tool for professionals dedicated to supporting families. By training as a facilitator, you are not just imparting knowledge; you are fostering resilience, understanding, and connection within families.

The next Parents Plus Children’s Programme training takes place online via Zoom on the 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd April 2024 (9.15am-1pm).

Book your place today
March 15, 2024
The Benefits of Training in the Working Things Out Programme

As a professional working with adolescents, The Working Things Out Programme is a comprehensive training programme which will give you the tools to support teenagers experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges.

This CBT Coping Skills-based programme provides practitioners with strategies to enhance engagement, supporting young people with problem-solving skills, communication techniques, and resilience.

In the Parents Plus Working Things Out Programme training, you will learn how to empower teenagers to improve communication with their parents. Indeed, teenagers are as eager to learn how to get on with their parents just as much as parents are keen to get on with them.

Below, we will explore some benefits professionals can gain from training in the Parents Plus Working Things Out Programme.

Strengthened Family and Peer Relationships:

The Working Things Out Programme provides professionals with a comprehensive understanding of conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques to work with young people and their families. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies and practical tools to help children, young people, and families effectively manage and resolve conflicts. The training covers topics such as active listening, assertiveness, negotiation and understanding different perspectives. Conflict within families and among peers can significantly impact a person’s well-being and development. By training in the Working Things Out Programme, professionals gain insights into helping young people cope with family dynamics and peer relationships and promote resilience.

Skill Development for Effective Communication:

Effective communication is at the heart of building strong relationships. Through the Working Things Out Programme, professionals gain valuable skills in fostering open and respectful communication, encouraging active listening, and facilitating constructive conversations. These skills enable professionals to support children, young people, and families in expressing their needs, understanding others’ viewpoints, and finding workable solutions.

Supporting Problem-Solving:

Problem-solving is a vital life skill that contributes to personal growth and success. The Working Things Out Programme training encompasses a range of problem-solving techniques and strategies. Guiding young people through the steps of problem-solving, to identify and evaluate options, make informed decisions, and implement effective solutions.

Ongoing Support and Networking:

Parents Plus ensures that professionals who complete the Working Things Out Programme have access to ongoing support and resources. Practitioners become part of a professional network where they can connect with colleagues from other services, share experiences, and continue their learning journey. They also gain access to a range of resources, including additional training materials and research articles.

The next Parents Plus Working Things Out Programme training is on the 17th, 18th & 19th September 2024 (9.15am-1.30pm) and will take place online, via Zoom

Book Today

If you would like to train in one of our programmes, learn about our group discounts or discover how we can support you to improve outcomes for children, adolescents and families, please contact our Impact Lead, Vicki Byrne, Vicki@parentsplus.ie

We also deliver onsite training and supervision of teams (15 or more), and/or tailored support in the roll-out and evaluation of our programmes to ensure effective community-wide delivery.

March 14, 2024
Hertfordshire Council Development and Commissioning Officer, Nicola Wilder.
In 2023 we worked closely with Hertfordshire Council in their rollout of the Parents Plus Parenting When Separated (PWS) Programme, through funding from the Dept of Work and Pensions Reducing Parental Conflict programmes.

They delivered the PWS online and in person and are currently designing and implementing an evaluation of the impact and outcomes for the families involved. Parents Plus has supported the Hertfordshire implementation, providing supervision to the practitioners and consultation to their Development & Commissioning Officer.

It has been a very successful collaboration thus far and we look forward to continuing to work with the council in 2024.

The below summary covers the period 1st April to 31st December 2023
- 123 referrals of which 79 were female and 44 were male
- 36 parents and carers have completed the course
- 85% of parents and carers are requesting online delivery
- 72% of parents and carers referring are resident parents and carers
- 35 families referred were parents or carers to children with special educational needs and disabilities
100% Of parents and carers agree or strongly agree that the course was well organised.

100% Of parents and carers agree or strongly agree that the course was well led.

100% Of parents and carers agree or strongly agree that the facilitators included everyone.

80% Of parents and carers reported progress made towards their goals.

What parents felt was the most helpful part of the course.
- “Ideas & understanding of other parents (non-resident) viewpoints plus little tips and tricks to ease communication.”
- “All of the course was helpful but perhaps advice on keeping things businesslike, handling challenging situations and scenarios regarding your (or one’s ex-partner) was very useful and also remaining calm and compassionate with the children and putting them at the heart of everything is important alongside taking care of yourself.”
- “Connecting with other parents and sharing experiences”
- “Reminder of the importance of self-care”
- “The group discussions were always good as they touched on subjects, we could all relate to in our own situations and the chance to talk was always good. The modules all had an element of parent and child perspective which was good to consider both and reflect from both sides.”
- “Interacting with other parents in similar situations and hearing their view and understanding that certain universal themes across everyone’s situation.”
- “Talking and listening to others’ experiences, realising that other people are going through the same thing.”
The Parents Plus – Parenting When Separated programme is run by an increasing number of Local Authorities throughout the UK under the Reducing Parental Conflict programmes. It runs in some Family Hubs and in other services offering family support in the community.

Read another case study below from Jackie Liddell who is a Family Support Practitioner in Northumberland County Council area.

Northumberland County Council Case Study
March 6, 2024
Enhancing Family Support: Discover the Parenting When Separated Programme Training for Professionals.
As professionals dedicated to supporting families, you understand the complex challenges faced during separation and divorce. Recognising this, Parents Plus has developed the ‘Parenting When Separated Programme’, a comprehensive training designed to equip you with essential skills and knowledge for assisting families through these trying times.

Programme Overview: The Parenting When Separated Programme is a 6-week, group-based parent training module. It integrates evidence-based principles to offer practical, accessible, and empathetic guidance. This programme is specifically crafted to aid parents in navigating the intricacies of separation and divorce, ensuring they have the tools they need for a positive transition.

Training Details: The training spans three modules, each 4.5 hours long, and is tailored for professionals who support parents.

Through this training, you will:
1. Become proficient in the delivery of the programme content.
2. Enhance your practice skills in implementing the Strengths-Based approach and the Solution Focused Group facilitation model.
3. Gain comprehensive knowledge of the evidence base and learn to gather practice-based evidence using the Parents Plus Quality Protocol. This includes goal setting with parents, obtaining session feedback, session planning and review, and monitoring overall programme impact.
Participants will also receive two post-training Supervision/Coaching sessions from a Parents Plus Supervisor. These sessions are designed to reinforce group facilitation skills and programme delivery techniques, ensuring a smooth transition into utilizing the programme in your professional practice.

The next Parents Plus Parenting When Separated Programme training is on the 18th, 25th and 26th April 2024 (9.15am-1.30pm)

Book Today

By training as a facilitator of this programme, you will learn how to support parents to:
- Solve co-parenting problems in a positive way which focuses on the needs of their children
- Create practical arrangements for children that minimise stress and conflict
- Improve communication with their children and with their children’s other parent
- Cope with the emotional impact of separation and learn stress management techniques
- Help their children cope emotionally with the separation
- Deal with the challenges of lone parenting or being a ‘live away’
Who is the Programme For? The Parenting When Separated training is ideal for a wide range of professionals working with families. This includes:
- Social workers.
- Psychologists.
- Family support workers.
- Counsellors.
- Therapists.
- Legal professionals involved in family separation cases.
The programme’s versatile nature makes it a valuable tool for anyone committed to supporting families in transition.

Read Our Case Study from Northumberland County Council

In the North-East of England four Local Authority and County Council areas, including Northumberland, South Tyneside, Newcastle, and Gateshead, have come together as a region to avail of training in and rolling out the Parenting When Separated programme under the RPC, through Early Help and Family Hubs.

Read The Case Study

For more information contact Impact Lead for Parents Plus Vicki Byrne at vicki@parentsplus.ie or +353858705772

Our next Parenting When Separated Programme training is scheduled for February 2nd, 8th, and 9th,

Book Your Place Today

If you are a parent and are seeking support then please visit our tips and information page via the button below –

Support for parents
February 19, 2024
Empowering Parents in the Digital Age: The Importance of the Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, children are increasingly using technology in their daily lives.

While technology offers numerous benefits, such as access to educational resources and the ability to stay connected with friends and family, it also brings potential risks. Recent statistics from online safety charity Internet Matters who surveys 1,000 families on their digital habits found parents have growing concerns that time on devices is cutting into traditionally family-oriented time, while 63% of parents asked also said they believe time spent online is negatively affecting their children’s health and 50% said they were concerned that screen time was impacting on their children’s sleep

This worrying trend of excessive screen time among children can lead to poor sleep quality, reduced physical activity, and an increased risk of obesity.

As professionals working in community, health, education, and disability services, we play a crucial role in helping parents navigate this complex digital environment. It’s essential to ensure that children’s use of technology is balanced and appropriate, and parents need the right tools and knowledge to achieve this.

They must be equipped to set limits on screen time and encourage their children to participate in other activities, such as outdoor play and face-to-face social interactions. Moreover, parents should be vigilant about the content their children are accessing online and take steps to protect their privacy and security.

This is where the Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme comes into play.

This evidence-based programme is specially designed to support families in improving their relationships, communication, and overall well-being. By attending the training for this programme, professionals like you can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively deliver it to families in your communities.

The programme covers a wide range of topics crucial to parents, including setting up rules around technology use at home. It empowers parents to create healthy and connected families, improving the well-being of everyone involved. In a world where gadgets and screens often dominate family time, this programme offers a vital resource for parents striving to find balance and ensure the healthy development of their children.

As professionals, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact by promoting and implementing the Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme. By doing so, we can help parents build a strong foundation for their children’s future, fostering an environment where technology is used responsibly and healthily. Let’s embrace this opportunity and work together to create a positive change in our communities.

Learn More About The Programme

Book Your Place On Our Next Training

January 25, 2024