Supporting Parents
At bfpc we understand that parenting is one of the most important and personal experiences any adult can undertake. We also know that from time to time parents can feel very alone, overwhelmed or feel they are not getting it right. Our experience has also shown us that some children are just trickier to parent than others. It is at these times that bfpc can help, even if it is just to reassure you that you are doing okay. A fundamental truth we always hold is that parents are the only true expert on their child.
All of the research and best practice evidence tells us that the best way to provide support and guidance to parents is within groups. At bfpc we aim as far as is possible to run parenting courses where and when they are needed in an area somewhere near you. This may mean that there is a wait for a group to run in your area or you are welcome to attend a group slightly further a field.
We also understand that for some parents attending a group may not be possible or appropriate and for these parents we can offer an individual service either at a neutral location or in the family home.
Below are details of the group programmes we offer, these programmes are also suitable for individual family work.
Please contact us using our contact page and we will make full contact with you as soon as possible. Once contact has been made we will endeavour to visit you at home in order to get a clear picture of how we might be of help, together we will agree which of our services is most suitable. This initial home visit is free of charge within our operating area.
School age “Incredible Years” (Webster-Stratton) suitable for parents of children 4 to 10 years (12 sessions)
STOP (Supporting Together Parents of Teenagers) suitable for parents of children 10 to 16 years(10 to 12 sessions)
Individual sessions (home visits)
FLASH (Families Learning About Self Harm) Suitable for parents of young people who are exhibiting self-harming behaviour (10 to 12 sessions)
Incredible Years school age
The Incredible Years course is for parents with primary school aged children (4-10 years) and is suitable for any parent/carers of children who are in need of just a bit of guidance, or who want to radically re-think their whole approach to parenting, it has been found to be helpful for children with ADHD, impulsivity or attention difficulties. The course starts with how to build up your relationship with your child through spending time together and praising the behaviour you like. There are tips on setting rules for your family, using rewards effectively (as incentives rather than bribes). The sessions on limit-setting teach skills for ignoring unwanted behaviours and ‘time out’ to calm down. These skills will enable you, as the parent, to teach your child to deal with their emotions and learn ways of understanding how they feel, and express what they are feeling. There is also a very healthy focus on the needs of parents and how parents also need support and care.
The course will run over 12 weeks taking any necessary breaks for school holidays, you will meet for 2 hours each week. Folders, hand-outs, prizes, certificates and refreshments will be provided
Details of a course near you will be provided on application
Cost per family for the 12 week course £400.
What parents have said
“Thank you for making our home a calmer and happier place to be; making us feel we are not the only ones and providing us with the confidence and support to succeed”.
“This course has honestly changed my life for the better”.
“I can’t thank you enough, this course has been a god send and worth its weight in gold, I have loved coming and have learnt lots to try and to keep trying THANK YOU”
Should you wish to read more about the Incredible Years programmes www.incredibleyears.com/programs/parent
STOP (Supporting Parents Of Teenagers)
The step-by-step course is for parents with pre-teen or teenagers (10-16 year olds). The course aims to improve family communication through learning how to really listen and de-code what your pre-teen/teenager is really saying or needing. As your pre-teen/teenager is developing and changing, this course will increase your knowledge on teenage brain development and effective behaviour management skills which will help you, as a parent, feel in control yet still sensitively respond to your pre-teen/teenagers psychological, physical and emotional needs. The course also gives information on key parental concerns for this age group such as drugs, drink, sexual health and aggression in young people. This course is mindful of parents/carers needs and emotions as well as the teenagers.
The course will run over 12 weeks taking any necessary breaks for school holidays, you will meet for 2 hours each week. Folders, hand-outs, prizes, certificates and refreshments will be provided
Details of a course near you will be provided on application
Cost per family for the 12 week course £400.
What parents have said
“Many thanks for this fantastic course, I have taken so much from it and will continue to use it. Much of what we have learnt can also be used in everyday life (life skills)”
You were right about the STOP programme. It has really helped me look at my parenting day to day. It is as you said respectful to both the needs of teenagers and also to their parents”
“Over the weeks you have shown me I can do the mum job, and that sometimes there are better ways of doing things”
“Thanks for keeping us sane and for teaching us some new swear words”
There is always time for tea and a chat
Individual family support and one off consultations
Either the Incredible Years Programme or STOP programme can be worked through during a minimum of 10 individual sessions. Please see above for more details of the programmes.
If these don’t quite fit the families need there is the opportunity to tailor a series of sessions with your family in mind.
Individual sessions in your home would usually be for 1, possibly 2 hours a week dependent on need.
A folder and weekly hand-outs will be provided
Cost per 1 hour session £55.00. A minimum of 5 sessions would be expected.
One off consultations.
One off consultations work best if there is a specific issue to think through.
Parents that have attended or worked through one of the group programmes might feel the need to refresh a topic, or perhaps parents just want to think through a specific issue like bedtime routines or the thorny subject of pocket money or maybe rewards for chores. What ever the issue it is sometimes easier to think it through with the help of an objective third person.
One off consultations can be either at your home or at the Granary.
Cost £55. for up to 1.5 hours
What parents have said
“Getting the reassurance that I was doing it right was all I needed to boost my confidence. Thank you”.
“I think you may have saved our marriage as well as improved our parenting, we now work as a team instead of both trying to do it in our own way and arguing all the time”.
FLASH (Families Learning About Self Harm)
Do you have a young person aged between 11- 16 who are self-harming?
Do you want more information on self-harm and how to manage the concerns within the home?
Do you feel alone with this problem and would like the opportunity to discuss the problem with people who will understand?
Then the FLASH course may be what you’re looking for.
FLASH is a group course for parents/carers of a young person who is exhibiting self-harming behavior and how this may impact on the whole family.
The course will run over 12 weeks taking any necessary breaks for school holidays, you will meet for 2 hours each week. Folders, hand-outs, prizes, certificates and refreshments will be provided
Details of a course near you will be provided on application
Cost per family for the 12 week course £400.