Parents as Partners A GROUPWORK PROGRAMME WITH A COUPLE APPROACH DFE funded

…for the child’s development and wellbeing.

Father involvement increased Authoritarian parenting practices decreased Parenting parental stress decreased Couple relationship satisfaction maintained Conflict in the relationship decreased Reduction in symptoms of depression, aggression and hyperactivity Increase in child well- being and achievement Couples group participants’ household income increased COUPLE PARENT-CHILD CHILD INCOME

Children of parents who had attended the group program continued to show fewer hyperactive and aggressive symptoms on entry into secondary school (compared with control group). Parents were still more satisfied with their relationships than parents in the control group at the transition to secondary school.

5-8 couples weekly 2-hour meetings - 16 sessions trained male-female co-facilitators

 First point of contact for couples on the programme  Encourage couples to attend, and supports them through the 16 sessions (inc. creche if needed)  Weekly home visits – practical support for the duration of the programme and up to 4 weeks after

 at least one child under 11 living in the borough  parents over 18 years of age  able to think together about how they parent  willing and able to attend 16 group sessions together  sufficient level of English  no severe current issues of substance or alcohol misuse  stable mental health  if there are current issues of domestic abuse / intimate partner violence this should be mentioned in the referral  no current private family law / care proceedings

Referral Initial screening Parent interview Initial assessment measures 16 Group Sessions Outcome assessment measures Family Caseworker Support

 … “what would your children say about how the two of you get on?”  Parents who’ve attended this group find they get on better, their home life goes more smoothly and their children feel happier and do well in school.  Evidence shows that when dads are involved it has loads of positive benefits for children  Time and space to think together (creche provided) about the two of you and how you work things out.  Groups are varied, interactive and informative  Meet other couples thinking about the same sorts of things  Free support for couples who want to improve their relationship  Don’t have to commit straight away – chance to meet the Group Workers to discuss it before joining group