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Parenting Programmes for Families

Becoming a parent and bringing up children can be difficult for lots of reasons, and at times we could all use some support along the way.

We have a range of fantastic parenting programmes that cover a variety of topics and are all based on proven methods. They are delivered by people from all different backgrounds, who do not judge and are simply there to support other parents/carers.

We know how busy family life can be and so we deliver our programmes at various times; mornings, afternoons and even evenings!

Our FREE parenting programmes are available for anyone living in the Bradford district. You do not need to have a referral from any other services, you can simply apply yourself – the on-line form is in this section.

The programmes are listed below and you can click on each one for more information, and hear some of the amazing feedback form parents/cares who have already taken part.

Myths about parenting courses

Parenting programmes are for bad parents

People who want support to improve their skills or confidence as a parent are the best parents!

I’ll be the only one who...

Our programmes are usually delivered in group settings, with parents who have similar experiences and very quickly people realise they are not alone. It’s a great way to meet parents local to you in similar situations.

They will just tell me all the things I do wrong

We’re a friendly bunch! We want everyone to feel welcome, supported and not judged. We’re here to help people work out for themselves what is working well and what isn’t, and give them some tools to make things better.

If you are a practitioner working with a child, young person or family you can use the online form in this section to request a programme, but you must have obtained consent from the parent/carer.

Did you know?

For the second year running our Parenting Team have been crowned the winners of the 'Yorkshire Family Support Service of the Year’

Information About our Programmes

 

Suitable for:

This programme is for both mums and dads who are about to become parents. You can attend the group from approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy; however you are welcome to apply from the 13th week of pregnancy.

 

Programme aims:

To prevent some of the difficulties many new parents experience, which can lead to depression, problems within relationships and even abuse and neglect. Delivered by practitioners with specialist Family Links’ training, the course will benefit parents by:

  • improving bonding and a better understanding of what your baby needs and wants.
  • increased understanding of child development.
  • improved relationships between parents.
  • reducing stress levels and chances of depression both in pregnancy and after giving birth.
  • improved health for mother and baby both in pregnancy and after giving birth.
  • reduced risk of neglect.

 

What the sessions cover:

  • opportunities to explore your hopes and fears for the future after having children.
  • understanding how your baby’s brain develops
  • making healthy choices
  • how to manage stress
  • empathy and loving attentiveness
  • effective communication
  • promoting self-esteem and giving confidence
  • positive parenting

 

Programme length:

2-hour session per week for 8 weeks

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

Mum

''We have really enjoyed everything we did on this course. It was really good, it flowed well and helped refresh my memory but also learn new things. We could both be ourselves and not have to worry about what others thought. Leonie and Ria made it, it would have been nothing without them! They explained it really well and we felt like we could ask anything and not be judged. It was really calm and fun we both learnt a lot. I know we would both feel comfortable to ask for help from Leonie and Ria if we needed it, which I know my partner would never have done before from a professional.  We were asked to do the course, but we are really glad we did it.”

Dad

''I feel Leonie and Ria have really supported us throughout the course. We both felt we could be ourselves and felt really comfortable in the group. I learnt a lot about what to do before the baby comes, and for when she arrives. I have learnt what my babies needs will be, and how to give her all the love and care she needs.  Also how to support my partner and support both our mental health’s after she comes.”

 

Suitable for:

Parents of children aged between 2 and 13 years old.

 

Programme aims:

The programme is a fun and nurturing programme for parents.  It benefits both adults and children by:

  • promoting emotional literacy and emotional health
  • raising self-esteem
  • developing communication and social skills
  • teaching positive ways to resolve conflict
  • providing effective strategies to encourage co-operative responsible behaviour
  • managing challenging behaviour in children
  • offers insights into the influence of feelings on behaviour
  • encourages adults to take time to look after themselves.

 

What the sessions cover:

  • ages and stages in child development
  • managing feelings and communicating them clearly
  • problem solving and negotiating
  • how to give children choices and consequences
  • setting boundaries and limits
  • behaviours to ignore and giving praise
  • exploring the ‘time out…to calm down’ method
  • the importance of raising our self-esteem and nurturing ourselves
  • kinds of touch and appropriate ways to discipline children
  • how to talk to children about sex
  • helping children stay safe, including the dangers of the internet and social media.

 

Programme length:

2-hour session per week for 10 weeks.

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“I really appreciated the personal stories from Hinda and Yasmin the course leaders, and the other participants. I felt like I wasn’t alone struggling! The examples of ‘what not to do’ were really familiar and the examples of ‘what to try’ seemed really obvious but I hadn’t made the connections before the course. The course helped me understand why my kids, and then me and my partner, were reacting negatively, and then how to try positive discipline.

 

“The course tutors listen, are encouraging and make you feel comfortable.  You’ll find out ideas to help understand your kid's behaviour better, help understand your own parenting style, and how to help the whole family communicate better. The course has been a massively useful wakeup call and I plan to try the techniques we learnt from now on."

 

Suitable for:

Parents and carers of children with additional needs. This can be a physical need, emotional need or learning difficulty.

 

Programme aims:

To help parents/carers by offering positive practical and fun ways of guiding children so they can manage their feelings and behaviour. There is a focus on looking after yourself and understanding you and your own child’s emotional needs and build good communication and practical strategies to manage behaviour.

 

Programme length:

2-hour session per week for 11 weeks. This includes an introductory session.

 

What the sessions cover:

  • Understand why children behave as they do.
  • Recognise the feelings behind behaviours (ours and theirs)
  • Explore a different approach to discipline.
  • Find ways to develop co-operation and self-discipline in children.
  • Importance of looking after ourselves

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“I found the course fantastic, it was lovely knowing I wasn't on my own and I met some lovely people along the way. I have gained more confidence in myself and my parenting. I have learnt new ways to help my children and also myself. My family have found that me doing this course has been amazing and has helped so much. I would say to other people thinking of attending this course is, please do it!”

 

“The programme was really nice and it was great to make friends. Sara and Danielle checked up with me when I needed support. It was nice to know I am not on my own and other parents have similar problems. I preferred the virtual group as it was easier with me working full time."

 

 

 

Suitable for:

Parents and carers with children aged 5 to 18 who have been diagnosed with a condition on the autistic spectrum.

 

Programme aims:

Giving an opportunity to parents and carers to develop their understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to support their child. To obtain advice and information on the additional challenges which autism can present. It also provides the opportunity to meet other people in a similar position and hear about their experiences in an informal but supportive atmosphere.

 

What the sessions cover:

  • increased knowledge of autism and diagnosis
  • sensory issues and strategies
  • communication and strategies
  • understanding behaviour
  • supporting behaviour
  • developing a practical toolkit that can benefit your child
  • direct you to relevant support and resources, locally and nationally
  • provide the opportunity to meet other parents and create a support network.
  • discretionary follow-up session

 

Programme length:

2.5-to-3-hour sessions per week for 7 to 8 weeks.

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“I have learnt more about autism from doing this course by understanding my daughters’ struggles, the impact of different sensory needs she has, and I hope I help her get through this using the different strategies I learned.  I would definitely recommend course to others, as I thought I knew a bit about autism but I’ve learnt so much or I have forgotten. It has given me a different way of thinking and both Yasmin and Kersty are great at explaining things and giving an informative perspective of everything and they gave great advice”

 

“After attending the programme I have increased my confidence and knowledge about what autism actually is, I have actually started understanding why my daughter sometimes behaves the way she does and how this impacts her and the rest of the family. I have used some new strategies at home and I know to support her better. I have also built up my self-esteem and also made some friends within the course. Thank you, Selma and Rakshanda, for all your support and help.”

 

Suitable for:

Parents with children aged 0 to 5 years.

 

Programme aims:

Providing parents with skills, knowledge and confidence to give babies and young children a healthy start in life.  Everyone wants the best for their children, but with so much conflicting advice it can be hard to know what to do for the best as a parent, especially in the early years. 

 

What the sessions cover:

  • deciding what changes you want to make and set your own goals.
  • how to juggle life with young children so you all get that you need.
  • how to respond to children's needs without giving in to all their demands.
  • positive mealtime tips for a happy family - reducing mealtime stress for everyone.
  • ideas for active play to help children learn, develop and stay happy.
  • food groups, food labels, portion sizes for under 5s, first foods, and snack swaps.
  • understanding and managing your child's behaviour for a happier home.
  • celebrate your success as a parent and planning your family’s future.

 

Programme length:

2-hour session (2.5 if family time included) per week for 8 weeks

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

‘’I thought the HENRY was really good, it was refreshing to see other parents and meeting new people on the group. It’s been lonely over lockdown, and joining this made me feel happy. I feel a lot more confident now at home, Selma has been really supportive and made me feel comfortable. She has given me some good tips and I am now working really hard with mealtimes and bedtimes.”

‘’I really like the HENRY programme, I am much more conscious with foods now, I even have started presenting food in different fun novelty ways so the children will eat it. I would recommend this to other parents, the pack you get is brilliant and has everything you need to start a fresh at home if things have gone downhill. I liked the virtual sessions, and I have now joined the family links programme, thank you!’’

“I have learnt a lot and increased my knowledge about how important it is we look after our health and we have made changes as a family.  We have more family active time together, I have seen the difference in my children, they look forward to playing football or going for a walk with me.  My children have become more confident and understand why we have limited takeaways.”

Suitable for:

Parents and carers whereby their child may be at risk of exploitation.

 

Programme aims:

DICE is a support programme for parents and carers to raise awareness about the risks of exploitation.

 

What the sessions cover

  • the teenage brain
  • exploitation and the grooming process
  • digital dangers
  • parenting top tips and support networks

 

Programme length:

2 hour sessions weekly for 4 weeks.

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“By attending the DICE programme it helped us to understand the risks and danger my children could face. By having this knowledge, I can support my children to understand also. I have also learnt about building positive relationship with my children e.g. talking time out to spend time with them and taking interest in what they are doing.

“I was taken back about how many people were in the group and how many people the subject affected. There were men on their own there and it was nice to see the men participating and nice to see that everyone could put in their own points. Although we were virtual I felt that not just me but everyone had the chance to talk and express themselves, it was never rushed.”

“I am more aware and now have conversations with my children about if anyone tries to add them on anything then they need to come to me, they won’t be in trouble but I need to know who is trying to talk to them and block them/report it if necessary. I would tell parents thinking about doing the course, to just do it! It is a very helpful programme and you will learn a lot and don’t think you know everything because you don’t until you have done the DICE programme and you will learn you are not alone…”

 

Suitable for:

Dads and step dads of children 0 to 19.

 

Programme aims:

  • to increase confidence for dads in their parenting
  • learn how to develop the dad-child relationship now and for the future
  • to work out strategies for dealing with anger and conflict
  • give dads an opportunity to meet other dads and share experiences in a supportive and encouraging environment.

 

What the sessions cover:

  • the need and importance of dads
  • parenting goals and building self esteem
  • relationships and working out strategies for handling anger and conflict
  • importance of quality time and parenting styles
  • setting and maintaining boundaries and managing your child's behaviour
  • safety issues
  • issues at home
  • optional step-families

 

Programme length:

2-hour session per week over 6 weeks

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“The course was very useful in opening my eyes to family behaviours and how a different approach can have beneficial results.  It was good to meet with other Dads who although in very different circumstances had the same basic issues with behaviours.”

“I have got a lot out of the course with regards to how my dad had brought me up and how I would like my own parenting style to be for my son growing up. I especially enjoyed the family traditions and being aware of making memories with my family. I can’t recall any from my own upbringing and I feel sad to think my son could think like this if I don’t parent him in a certain way”

“At the start of the course I didn’t feel as relaxed as I do now and it’s really helped me and my child bond as well as teach me how to be calm around my child. Jennifer and Luanne made me feel really comfortable every week great people and I thank them for all the support and guidance they have both shown me. Thank you''

 

Suitable for:

Parents of teenagers aged 11 to 18.

 

Programme aims:

To ease the transition from childhood to adolescence, by encouraging positive parenting and relationship building.

 

What the sessions cover:

  • effective communication
  • relationship building
  • managing conflict
  • building self esteem
  • managing problem behaviour  

 

Programme length:

6 sessions, 2 hours each over 4 weeks.

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“Communication has made us have a better relationship and now I have a better understanding about what he is going though. The group felt really relaxed and Jennifer and Bev gave a lot of good advice and so did the other parents. I have really benefited from the course and I liked that it was not judgemental and that it gives a lot of advice.”

“It has given me the confidence to tackle my teenager’s behaviour when they are being difficult. I feel confident in doing that and if it doesn’t work once, I can try again or try a different strategy. I have absolutely loved the course and even though it was short, it was straight to the point and informative. The group was a diverse group and I learnt from the other parents too.  I was very comfortable and Jennifer and Bev are like a double act. You were both very good at helping and offering advice to help.”

 

Suitable for:

Parents and primary carers who care for children aged 8 to 18 years of age, who are abusive or violent towards them or who appear out of parental control.

 

Programme aims:

  • reduce feelings of isolation, blame, guilt and shame
  • reinforce positive changes
  • explore anger, both that of the children and parents
  • clarify boundaries of what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
  • examine strategies for creating meaningful and practical consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
  • provide parents with some simple concepts that are proven to empower
  • encourage assertiveness
  • encourage self-care
  • reinforce progress and provide emotional support while parents are attempting to become more assertive parents.

 

What will the sessions cover?

  • Session 1: Introductions, questionnaires and creating genograms (family tree)
  • Session 2: Cause and influences of abusive behaviour
  • Session 3: What is abuse?
  • Session 4: What can I control in my child’s life?
  • Session 5: Consequences
  • Session 6: Anger and breaking the myths of anger
  • Session 7: Assertiveness
  • Session 8: Self-care, future goal setting and evaluation
  • Session 9: Two month follow up on goal achievement, evaluation and further goals

 

Programme length:

2.5-hour session per week for 9 weeks

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

"I feel less embarrassed and less stigma around the situation. Being able to open up and admit what’s happened, has helped me feel more supported and that I’m not alone. I’ve realised I do have some control and have been able to put some strategies in place which he is starting to accept. I’d like to say a massive thank you to Kersty and Natalie, I do feel like this has had a huge impact especially in my own confidence to know I can do this and I can put control back in place”

“I haven’t had internal doors in my house for quite some time due to my son breaking them and I now feel things have calmed down a lot. We are coping with things a lot better using what I learnt on the course so I am now in a position where I feel able to replace the doors which is a big thing for me”

“I feel like I have taken back some control now and am feeling much more confident which is allowing me to give my son more freedom too which is working well, he had his first sleepover at a friend’s house which I was always too scared to allow before as I feared what would happen but it all went smoothly with no issues”

 

Suitable for:

Women over the age of 16 who might be in or recovering from an abusive or controlling relationship.

 

Programme aims:

The Freedom Programme helps women to gain self-esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives. The programme helps women to:

  • make sense what is happening or has happened to them
  • recognise the characteristics and early warning signs of abusers and abusive relationships.
  • Understand how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.

 

What the sessions cover

  • understanding the beliefs held by abusive and controlling partners
  • recognising the effects of controlling and abusive relationships
  • identifying potential abusers, keeping yourself and family safe
  • starting to feel more confident and meeting people in a similar situation
  • understanding the impact of domestic abuse on children

 

Programme length:

2-hour session per week for 12 weeks.

 

Here’s what other parents said after the course:

“Through the course I was able to start removing the blame from myself, and know that what happened wasn’t because of me or what I did. I was able to learn that just as much as I need space, my kids need their own space to feel safe as-well so was able to give them that. For other parents I would say it’s an eye opening experience and very valuable it has given me the key pieces of information for my own future relationships”

“I would recommend anyone that has been subject to an abusive relationship to attend as it helps you understand it was not your fault, why the abuser does what they do (again it’s not your fault). It helps you understand the different types of abuse in great detail and most importantly prepares you to recognise these early warning signs. I cannot thank Kersty and Ria enough for everything they have done, they have been a fantastic support and I am forever grateful.”

“I have just finished the Freedom course and through the course I learned so much about the different things an abuser does, things I didn’t know existed until completing the course. My life has changed, I’m a happier and more confident person. I have two new great friends in my life that make me feel loved and are always there for me. I’ve just had a great weekend away with friends and my son and he is a lot happier seeing the change in me. I also have applied for a new job and I am very excited about it”

Request a place now

Whether you are a parent/carer or a professional supporting a family, you can use our simple online form to:

Request a place on a parenting programme

The form is completely secure and will be sent directly to the relevant parenting team who will contact you/the parent within 1 week.

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