Category: Group Supervision

Testimonial – John Campbell O’Brien
John Campbell O’Brien is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in ADHD working in CAMHS Dublin North City and County. He trained in the Parents Plus ADHD Programme in April 2024 and has successfully run a programme with parents with plans already in place for more. We asked John to share some of his experiences about the training and he shares some excellent advice on programme implementation and facilitation.

Training Experience and Group Facilitation

The training was well-received, my colleague and I found it flexible, engaging, and informative. The breakout room exercises were particularly well-structured, providing an opportunity for participants to delve deeper into the content and prepare for their own group facilitation.

Group Implementation and Parent Feedback

The group sessions have been highly successful so far, with parents expressing significant positive changes in their understanding of ADHD and their ability to cope with their child’s challenges.
- Before the course: Parents often felt isolated, overwhelmed, and uncertain about how to best support their child. Some were sceptical about the potential benefits of a parent group.
- After the course: Parents reported increased confidence, improved communication skills, and a stronger sense of community. They appreciated the neuro-affirmative approach and the opportunity to share experiences with other parents.
We were able to adapt the format to meet the specific needs of the parents attending our programme. While the core content was maintained, flexibility around the topics was essential to address emerging concerns and questions that came up in the group.

Professional Background and Funding

Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in ADHD, are well placed to implement this programme within CAMHS, along with clinical nurse specialists and other multi-disciplinary professionals. In their specialist ADHD role, the ANPs deliver care from the point of referral and follow the child and family through their journey. Providing the Parents Plus ADHD programme to parents attending the ANP ADHD Pathway at an early stage can really strengthen parents’ neuro-affirming approach to managing challenges and support them in building positive relationships with their children.

Securing funding for the training and programme implementation was challenging and I was happy to receive support from the RCSI Clinical Nursing Bursary Award for advanced nursing practice initiative.

Future Directions

The high demand for the programme highlights the need for continued investment in parent support services. The integration of the Parents Plus ADHD Programme into the ANP ADHD Pathway, along with the evolving role of ANPs, shows a growing recognition of the importance of early intervention and comprehensive care for ADHD. With a number of PP ADHD groups planned to run in 2025, the aim is to expand the programme across the wider community CAMHS teams in our area.

Key Takeaways:
- Parent Support Programmes: The PP-ADHD programme is a valuable tool for empowering parents and improving outcomes for children with ADHD.
- Neuro-Affirmative Approach: A compassionate and effective approach to understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals.
- Funding and Advocacy: Continued advocacy and funding are essential to ensure the sustainability of such programmes.
By sharing these insights, I hope to inspire and inform others who are working to improve the lives of children with ADHD.
December 9, 2024
Parents Plus ADHD Programme Delivers Long-term Benefits for Parents and Children

Evaluation Shows Sustained Improvement in Parental Confidence and Child Behaviour Six Months Post-Programme

Recent evaluations of the Parents Plus programme for parents of children with ADHD have revealed significant positive outcomes. Conducted by Assistant Psychologist at Parents Plus, Liam McGrattan in collaboration with ADHD Ireland and CAMHS, these evaluations provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of this evidence-based parenting programme developed by Parents
Plus.

Positive Outcomes from Parents Plus ADHD Programme Evaluations

Between 2022 and 2023, Parents Plus evaluated the Parents Plus ADHD Programme, gathering feedback from 118 parents of children diagnosed or expected of having ADHD. This evaluation incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research methods, providing a well-rounded view of the programme’s effectiveness.
According to the study, parents experienced significant improvements in managing their child’s behavioural symptoms associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and ADHD symptoms of inattention. Parental satisfaction remained high six months after the programme ended, indicating that the Parents Plus ADHD Programme has long-term, positive effects on families. The quantitative evaluation revealed that parents felt more confident in managing and understanding their child and ADHD after completing the programme.

John Sharry (Clinical Director of Parents Plus) commented on the programme’s impact:

This evaluation provides strong evidence that the Parents Plus ADHD programme equips parents with the tools and knowledge to support their children effectively. The results show that the benefits extend well beyond the duration of the programme.”

Building Support Networks Through Solution-Focused Group Work

The qualitative evaluation further highlighted the positive experience parents had during group sessions. Many participants found support in sharing experiences with others facing similar challenges. This led to the development of friendships and support networks, where parents could exchange ideas and offer advice to one another on managing the unique challenges of parenting a child with ADHD.

Parents also appreciated the Parents Plus ADHD programme materials, such as the parent book, which provided ongoing resources and information even after the programme had ended. These materials helped parents feel more able to manage future challenges.

Parents Plus Commitment to Evidence-Based Parenting Programmes

Parents Plus is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based parenting programmes. Its ongoing evaluations ensure that the Parents Plus ADHD programme continues to meet the evolving needs of parents and children in Ireland, the UK and beyond. For more information about the Parents Plus ADHD Programme, including training opportunities for facilitators, visit our dedicated webpage.

October 14, 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
Learn about the impact of Parents Plus charity in the UK National Centre for Family Hubs, Northumberland case study

Northumberland Case Study: Working with Separated Parents

Background

Family hubs offer universal and targeted support for all children and families, including those where parents have separated or are separating.

Family Solutions Group highlighted that in 2021 there were 2.3 million separated families in the UK, affecting 3.6 million children. The report What about me? A child’s right to matter recommends that family hubs “recognise children whose parents separate as a discrete target group in need of support and direct services through the national family hub programmes.”

Learn about the impact of Parents Plus charity in the UK National Centre for Family Hubs, Northumberland case study published in The National Centre Family Hubs and Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families website.

You can book a place on this evidence-based professional training via the button below.

Book Today

See our training page for details of all trainings

May 29, 2024
Parents Plus Early Years Programme One Module Training in Core Delivery 8th October 2024

The Core delivery of the Parents Plus Early Years programme (PPEY) is an alternative to the original delivery format of the programme. The concepts of the original programme and the written materials for parents have been adapted to become more accessible to a wider range of parents.

This alternative delivery allows facilitators to run the programme with individual families in a flexible manner, shaped to their needs over an extended period of time.

For facilitators already trained in the PPEY, we offer a special one-module training on May 28th, 2024, to demonstrate how to use the PPEY Core Programme, which includes an introduction to the new format and content, a recap of solution-focused video feedback skills, and copies of the new Parent Pack and Facilitator notes.

This special one module training to show you how to use the PPEY Core will take place on the 8 th October 2024 (9:15am-1:30pm) online via Zoom.

This training workshop will –
*Introduce you to new PPEY core format and content
* Recaps on skills of solution-focused video feedback
Copies of the new Parent Pack and Facilitator notes are included.

You can book a place on this special one-module training via the button below.

Book Today

See our training page for details of all trainings

May 7, 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
The impact of Parents Plus ADHD Children’s Programme in NHS CAMHS service
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Blanaid Gavin explains that “The Parents Plus ADHD Programme is a fundamental tool to effective ADHD care. Professionals develop a greater understanding of ADHD, the real-life challenges of parents and how to most effectively use helpful solution focused therapeutic strategies to enable positive behaviours.

Professionals also gain confidence from the use of a structured programme using evidenced based strategies. Through experiencing the encouraging outcomes of the programme, this enhances therapeutic optimism, and in itself is key to professionals’ ability to facilitate constructive change.”
The critical need for and value of early access to evidence-based and tailored parenting interventions for families raising a child with ADHD through their local NHS CAMHS services cannot be underestimated. It is a key component of ensuring mental health and wellbeing of children with ADHD, their parents and siblings. The Parents Plus ADHD Children’s Programme addresses the needs of parents of children with ADHD aged 6-12 years, and can help prevent serious secondary problems, such as self-harm and substance misuse, from affecting children with ADHD as they grow older. The programme utilises a solution-focused approach with facilitators introducing and exploring topics and parents’ problem-solving solutions as a group.

Furthermore, due to its group nature, the programme is cost-effective as it supports large numbers of service users with limited staff/time. It can also be delivered on a one-to-one basis, and improves mental health teams’ overall service delivery to families raising a child with ADHD.

Speaking of its effectiveness, NHS CAMHS Gloucestershire, Lisa Whitlock shares the impact of delivering the programme, “We had one hundred percent improvement on parent goal-based outcomes, and one hundred percent of parents reported the programme had a positive effect on their family.”

NHS CAMHS Registered Physician Associate, Rebecca Taylor explains, “Running the Parents Plus Children’s ADHD Programme in Tower Hamlets makes you remember why you do what you do. It is rewarding and a privilege to see parents feel supported on their journey with this programme.”

The proof is in the evidence:
The Parents Plus Children’s Programme is robustly evidence-based and two randomised controlled trials conducted in clinical settings attest to its effectiveness for families with children with ADHD.

Study 1 – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Ireland, RCT study
Compared to the control group parents completing the programme showed significant reductions in:
- Reductions in children’s total difficulties and conduct concerns
- Decreased parental stress and increased parental confidence
- Improvements in parent goals
- Gains maintained at five-month follow-up.
Study 2 – ADHD Mental Health Service, Turkey RCT study
The children in the study were aged 6–11 years, and they had been diagnosed with ADHD and had residual symptoms despite the effective dosage and timing of their medication.
Compared to the control those in the programme group improved significantly more overtime on –
- Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised
- Family Assessment Device
- Parent Stress Index
This trial is the first clinical study involving the parents of children with ADHD that addresses residual
symptoms and functional impairments that remain despite the administration of the maximum
effective dose of pharmacological treatment.

By training as a facilitator of this programme, you will learn how to support parents to:
- Understand the challenges and strengths of ADHD
- Manage behaviour and emotional problems
- Build their children’s self-esteem and confidence and reduce their stress
- Understand the role of medication and other treatments
- Manage homework and education challenges
- Help their child talk about and understand ADHD
- Support children’s friendships
The professional programme training focuses on:
- Developing an in-depth understanding of the needs of families raising a child with ADHD
- Delivering the programme via face-to-face and online sessions, to groups and individual families
- Providing opportunities to observe and practise the skills to become a solution-focused facilitator
- Building on parents’ strengths as a basis for ongoing change
- Strengthening inter-agency and community partnerships
NHS CAMHS Nurse Therapist, Nonsi Mabhena adds, “Through training in and delivering the Parents Plus ADHD Children’s Programme in our service, parents experiences are validated, they are supported to know that they are not terrible parents. Parents learn that there are many positives to having ADHD and raising a child with ADHD, and to understand that often it is the world around us that is not designed to support these children.”

The Parents Plus Supports Package:
Research shows that families achieve the best outcomes when facilitators and their managers are supported pre and post-training to deliver programmes. Parents Plus charity provide a comprehensive package of pre and post-training supports to our facilitators and managers to ensure a sustainable and effective delivery of the programmes within their agency.

Our supports include the following:
- Implementation support to get groups off the ground, including planning workshops and coaching for managers.
- Access to two individual supervision sessions free of charge in the first year post-training.
- Advanced training workshops on specific topics.
- Extra resources to facilitate delivery, e.g. fliers, posters, certificates, practice articles, parenting articles, and supplementary handouts.
- Support to promote your Parents Plus courses in your community.
- Advice and guidance on evaluating and monitoring outcomes in your agency to ensure your groups are effective.
- Sponsorship for further supervision is available on the application.
The Parents Plus Programmes are robustly evidence-based and currently over 27 studies conducted in clinical, disability and community settings attest to their effectiveness for families with children and adolescents of all ages, dealing with a variety of challenges and issues. For example, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Alan Carr, University College Dublin, presented a meta-analysis of the Parents Plus evidence base. This analysis, conducted with over 1,000 families, highlights the significant
benefit for families who attend the Parents Plus courses, both post-treatment and at follow-up. The study was published in the International Journal Family Process.

For more information on the Parents Plus ADHD Programme and how it can benefit your teams and the families you support, please contact our Impact Lead, Vicki Byrne at vicki@parentsplus.ie.
Our charity also provide onsite training, team supervision, and tailored packages of support to ensure the successful rollout and evaluation of our evidence-based programmes.
April 24, 2024
Parents Plus Early Years Programme in Falkirk

“My name is Susi Wakely and I am a Senior Educational Psychologist at Falkirk Council, Scotland.

The Parents Plus Early Years programme (PPEY) is a 7-week-long course delivered by professionals. At Falkirk Council, the programme was delivered to families of children with significant additional support needs.

Speaking of the programme, Senior Educational Psychologist, Susi Wakely explains,

“The Parents Plus Early Years programme materials encourage parents to connect with each other and feel empowered to support themselves. They emphasise the power of the group dynamic, creating a safe space where parents can be more authentic and share hard truths. This means parents freely giving tips and advice to each other.

I work with some of the families in my casework and I can see the increase in the engagement and confidence of the parents who attended our first group.

Over the weeks we witnessed the added benefits of the programme in supporting the wider families. Parents who attended shared with their partners who were unable to attend, or the parents took it in turns to attend, and one couple attended together. In the second to last session, the husband who attended with his wife openly praised her on the strategies she was using from the programme already. He is by nature a very reserved man and it was powerful to see him come out of his shell and openly praise his wife in the group. They have a child with significant ASN and shared how isolated they had felt prior to coming to the group.

Parents Plus deliver a cost-effective, strengths-based series of parenting programmes. Parents are fully engaged and take ownership of the group. My co-facilitator Alice says it is a group for parents, not a parenting group. The programme fits well with our relationship-based service values.

The Parents Plus team are true to their principles and values – they empower us as facilitators and believe in us as much as we then believe in the parents. They could not be more supportive as an organisation – they want to make it as simple as possible for you as a professional to be trained and get going with a programme. There are no unnecessary barriers and costs with accreditation processes.

You are trusted as a facilitator to work with the materials and make them work for the group of parents you are supporting. This is a very different approach to other parenting programmes.

The materials in the programme are high quality, too. Parents loved the glossy parent books and enjoyed the videos. We had only to sift through the contents each week to pick out the activities and assets that would be most appropriate for our ASN group and did not need to modify anything.

We’d like to say a big thanks to Parents’ Plus for their support in getting our programmes up and running in Falkirk.”

The Core delivery of the Parents Plus Early Years programme (PPEY) is an alternative to the original delivery format of the programme. The concepts of the original programme and the written materials for parents have been adapted to become more accessible to a wider range of parents.

This alternative delivery allows facilitators to run the programme with individual families in a flexible manner, shaped to their needs over an extended period of time.

For facilitators already trained in the PPEY, we offer a special one-module training on May 28th, 2024, to demonstrate how to use the PPEY Core Programme, which includes an introduction to the new format and content, a recap of solution-focused video feedback skills, and copies of the new Parent Pack and Facilitator notes.

This special one module training to show you how to use the PPEY Core will take place on the 28th May 2024 (9:15am-1:30pm) online via Zoom.

This training workshop will –
*Introduce you to new PPEY core format and content
* Recaps on skills of solution-focused video feedback
Copies of the new Parent Pack and Facilitator notes are included.

You can book a place on this special one-module training via the button below.

Book Today

See our training page for details of all trainings

April 22, 2024