Parenting Programmes

The Children's Centre offers a range of parenting programmes. The programmes we offer are all nationally recognised and evidence based. This means that they have been evaluated and that the outcomes for children and parents have improved.

The Programmes are run by highly skilled and qualified staff that ensures the needs of each parent attending the group are met whilst maintaining fidelity to the Programmes. They could be said that 'they do what it says on the tin!'

We currently offer three programmes:

Mellow Parenting

Mellow Parenting is an intensive programme delivered over one day a week for fourteen weeks. Parents attend with their children who are cared for in our creche.  During the morning session parents participate in a group which provides a forum for discussing the links between their own experiences in childhood and their current parenting experiences.  Hot lunch is provided and eaten together (parents, children and group facilitators) which is followed by an age related activity in which parents are encouraged to play with their child.  In the afternoon the parents watch videos of parent - child interactions and draw out positive parenting.  "Have a Go!'' tasks are discussed and parents are encouraged to try our new solutions and discuss their successes

Mellow Bumps

Mellow Bumps is a 6 week ante-natal programme designed to support families with addition health and social care needs.  The programme is intended to decrease the stress levels of mums-to-be in pregnancy and to help them understand that babies are prepared for social interaction from birth, and the importance of early interaction for brain development.  Each week there is an activity for the mum-to-be herself and another on a baby topic.  The programme is designed to be offered at around 20 to 30 weeks gestation to capture the period when the pregnancy is most secure and the mum-to-be may have experienced foetal movement but before her attention is taken up with the delivery.

The Incredible Years

The Incredible Years offers skills and knowledge based on behavioural/social learning principles. Its aim is to build positive attachment between parent/child and help promote play, helpful responses to children, praise, problem solving, talking and support as key factors on parenting.

Vignettes are used throughout the programme to provide parents with a 'real' example of parenting practice.

The Programme runs for 18 weeks, two and a half hours a week