Tag: social worker

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
Rates of anxiety and depression among young people are at unprecedented levels, but there is hope.

The Working Things Out Programme offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training for professionals 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 as a preventative mental health measure to promote positive coping or as an intervention for young people with identified mental health problems.

The two-day training focuses on developing an in-depth understanding of the Working Things Out Programme and CBT principles, learning how to deliver the programme to groups and individuals, opportunities to observe and practice the skills necessary to become an effective facilitator, building on young people’s present strengths and empowering them to move towards more positive thinking patterns and behaviours, and strengthening relationships between adolescents and their families, peers, schools, and communities.

The Working Things Out Programme is suitable for all professionals and managers who want to improve outcomes for young people experiencing difficulties, conflict, or mental health concerns. A wide variety of education, mental health, and community professionals already use this solution-focused programme successfully in a variety of school, community, health, disability, and mental health settings.

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

March 13, 2023
A Balancing Act: Navigating Children’s Technology Use in the UK and Ireland

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, children’s use of technology is on the rise.

However, this trend raises concerns about the potential impact on children’s development and well-being.

According to a report by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, children aged 5 to 15 spend an average of 2 hours and 11 minutes per day online. This figure increases to 3 hours and 32 minutes for children aged 12 to 15. Furthermore, a recent survey by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) found that 9 out of 10 children in the UK own a smartphone by the age of 12.

In Ireland, research by CyberSafeKids found that 95% of 8-12 year-olds have their own smartphone and 87% of 8-12 year olds had their own social media account. Furthermore, the research showed that 15% reported having ‘no rules’ around usage and 34% said they could go online ‘whenever they want’.

95% of 8-12 year-olds have their own smartphone and 87% of 8-12 year olds had their own social media account

These statistics highlight the extent to which children are using technology in the UK and Ireland. While there are undoubtedly benefits to technology use, such as access to educational resources and the ability to stay connected with friends and family, there are also concerns about the potential risks. For example, excessive screen time has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including poor sleep quality, reduced physical activity, and increased risk of obesity.

As professionals working in the community, health, education and disability services, it is important to ensure that parents understand that children’s use of technology is balanced and appropriate. This includes giving parents the tools to be able to set limits on screen time and encourage their children to engage in other activities, such as outdoor play and face-to-face social interaction. It also means providing the knowledge and support to make them vigilant about the content that their children are accessing online and how to take steps to protect their privacy and security.

This programme covers a wide range of topics important to parents including setting up rules around technology use at home

The Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme is a highly effective evidence-based programme that has been specifically designed to support families in improving their relationships, communication, and overall well-being. As a professional, attending the training for this programme can equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively deliver this programme to families in your community and covers a wide range of topics important to parents including setting up rules around technology use at home.

With our Healthy Families Programme, you can empower parents to create healthy and connected families and improve the well-being of everyone. Learn more about this unique programme training here.

In conclusion, while technology is an increasingly important part of children’s lives, it is important to approach it with caution and care. By setting appropriate limits and ensuring that children’s technology use is balanced with other activities, we can help to promote their development and well-being in the digital age.

For all our latest programme training dates you can visiting our booking calendar here.

February 15, 2023
Book Your Place on the Parents Plus Special Needs Programme
Training for this Programme is taking place on the 5th, 7th & 8th December

The Parents Plus Special Needs Programme for Professionals is a first in the world programme for families rearing an adolescent with an intellectual disability and was created to help parents to manage challenges, improve their family’s well-being and strengthen their links with other parents.

Training for this unique and invaluable Programme is taking place on the 5th, 7th & 8th December.

Through training in the Special Needs Programme, you will learn how to empower parents to positively manage the many hidden challenges and isolation that can be common for parents of adolescents with an intellectual disability, as well as improve the well-being of all family members and prepare young people for future transitions and adulthood.

This programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parents strengths. It is suitable for professionals including social workers, therapists, teachers to assist parents who are raising an older child or adolescent with a mild, moderate or severe intellectual disability, and who may also have an additional diagnosis, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a physical disability.

By training as a facilitator of this programme, you will learn how to support parents of an adolescent with special needs to:
- Manage behaviour and emotional problems
- Deal with puberty, sexuality and relationships
- Reduce their own stress as parents
- Support all relationships in the family
- Build self-esteem and confidence
- Advocate for their child or adolescent
- Support education and development
- Prepare their child for adulthood and future transitions
Book Your Place Today

Like each of our extended suite of 8 professional programmes, The Special Needs Programme has been co-developed with services and families and is supported with a robust evidence base, well-defined outcomes and backed by 25 years of research.

This professional programme will empower you to have better outcomes in your service equipping parents with the tailored tools for a brighter future for their families.

Learn More
November 4, 2022