Courses for parents and carers

Across Kirklees there are a number of parenting courses which can help with a range of issues that parents and carers can face when raising children with SEND.

The courses on this page are offered by a number of different providers and have different ways to get booked onto them. We have included the details of how to do this for every course offered.

Course are available via Kirklees Families Together, to register your interest in a course then please complete the request for support form below:

Request Support from Kirklees Families Together (opens link in new window)

Professionals (including schools) working with families who want to make a referral can also use the above form.

Who is it for?

For parents carers of Children aged between 2-15 years

SEND version is suitable for parents/carers of children/young people with a diagnosis/on the path to a diagnosis of a SEND aged between 2 and 19 years.

The Family Links programme can be delivered as a generic parenting programme or adapted for parents/carers whose children have SEND needs. The SEND version the content is delivered in a different order to address the needs of SEND families, and peer support from the group is a major source of support.

Aims of programme:

The Nurturing Programme 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 and managing challenging behaviour in children. It also offers insights into the influence of feelings on behaviour and encourages adults to take time to look after themselves. It is a fun and nurturing programme for parents.

What the sessions cover

Giving Praise Week Zero – Establishing a Group
Week One – Introducing the Nurturing Programme
Week Two – The Question of Discipline
Week Three – Rules, Rewards and Penalties
Week Four – Ages and Stages in Child Development, Helping Children Grow Up
Week Five – Personal Power and Self-Esteem, Choices and Consequences
Week Six – Feelings…and what we do with them, Communicating Clearing using “I” Statements
Week Seven – Kinds of Touch, Nurturing Ourselves
Week Eight – Issues around Sex, Helping Children Stay Safe
Week Nine – Behaviours to Ignore, Problem Solving and Negotiating
Week Ten – Continuing the Family Journey

How is it delivered?

2 hour sessions per week for 10 weeks

6-10 parents/carers per group

2 facilitators per group

Group sessions include the use of media, Flip Charts, group-work activity, discussions and examples of games to play.

Parents/carers receive a programme handbook.

How can I find a group/ find out more?

Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers:

Who is it for?

A support programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 years, diagnosed with an autistic spectrum condition. Parents of children on the autistic spectrum face the usual positive and difficult challenges of parenting and quite a few more. The whole family must be resident with Kirklees boundaries to access the programme due to licensing restrictions.

Attending Cygnet gives parents and carers an opportunity to develop their understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to support their child. It also provides the opportunity to meet other people in a similar position and hear about their experiences in an informal but supportive atmosphere.

Aims of programme

• Increased knowledge of Autism.
• Further, understand your child’s perspective and view on the world.
• Develop a practical toolkit that can be beneficial to your child.
• Direct you to relevant support and resources, locally and nationally
• Provide the opportunity to meet other parents and create a support network.
• Provide the opportunity to explore specific topics e.g. supporting siblings; Puberty, sexual wellbeing and relationships.

What the sessions cover

• Introductory session
• Autism an overview
• Sensory needs
• Communication
• Understanding behaviour
• Supporting behaviour
• Recap and additional topics covered as required and outlined above.

How is it delivered?

3 hr sessions over 7 weeks
2 facilitators per group
Can be delivered as a face to face group or as virtual sessions
Parents access to this programme –
When parents/carers receive an ASD diagnosis for their child, they receive an information pack which
includes how to refer themselves onto the Cygnet programme.

To self refer please use the link below or contact

01484 456823

Mental health support for children and young people | Kirklees Council (opens link in a new window)

Who is it for?

Henry Healthy families Right from the Start programme is for parents or carers of children aged 0 to 5 years. It helps you give your child the best possible start in life. it will help support you to think about your family’s lifestyle and decide what change you would like to make, for a healthier happier family.

Research has shown that the key ingredients to ensuring babies and young children have a healthy start in life are:

Parenting confidence
Physical activity for babies and children
What children and families eat
Family lifestyle habits
Enjoying life as a family

Aims of programme:

To empower parents with the skills and tools you need to help get their babies off to a great start in life including:

Improved Parenting skills

Better understanding around healthy eating
Better understanding of the importance of being active
Improved emotional wellbeing for all the family

What the sessions cover:

Week 1 – Let’s get started– Deciding what changes you want to make as a family and setting your own family goals.

Week 2 – Balancing Acts -How to juggle life with young children so you all get what you need

Week 3 – Needs and demands – How to respond to your children’s needs without giving in to all their demands

Week 4 – Tuning into mealtimes – Positive tips for reducing mealtime stress for the whole family.

Week 5 – Time to be active – Ideas for active play to help children be active, learn, develop and stay happy.

Week 6 – Lets eat healthily – Looking at food groups, food labels, portion sizes for under 5s, first foods, and snack swaps

Week 7 – Lets focus on feelings – Understanding and managing your child’s behaviour for a happier family home.

Week 8 – The way forward – Celebrating your success as a parent and planning the future for you and your family

How is it delivered?

2hr sessions over 8 weeks or can be run as individual workshops

2 facilitators per group, delivered as a face to face group or as virtual sessions

PARENTS ONLY access to this programme – Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at

Henry information webpage (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

An evidence based online parenting programme for parents/carers of children from 0-19 for parents who would like to use effective positive parenting strategies to make a difference to their children’s/young person’s development and wellbeing. Recognising that life can be stressful and challenging at times but things can change for the better

What are the aims of the programme?

Triple P Online covers all the strategies a parent would learn by doing a similar face-to-face parenting programme, with comparable or better ability to reduce social, emotional, and behavioural issues in children and improve their parents' confidence and capability, while also reducing parental levels of stress and depression

Sessions include.

Both versions promote positive parenting strategies, coping and self-care skills. The teen programme also covers emotional and risky behaviours associated with young people.

8 modules for 0-12 package including:

Coping with difficulties and emotional stress
Encourage good behaviour
Prevent tantrums and manage misbehaviour
Take the stress out of daily tasks
Manage problems calmly, encourage cooperation and following instructions
Strengthen the parent child relationship

6 modules for teen package including:

Improve communication with your teenager
Build a stronger relationship
Agree on rules
Deal calmly with conflict
Navigate emotional ups and downs
Equip young people to manage life challenges

How is it delivered?

Parents to complete at their own pace and at a time that suits them with the addition of wrap around support from the parenting team, supporting parents through the programme, regular check ins and regular meetings via Microsoft Teams with groups of other parents to share experiences and embed the learning

How can I find a group/ find out more?

Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at:

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

Fear-Less Triple P Online is suitable for parents of children aged 6 to 14 years.

What are the aims:

The Fear-Less Triple P Program is part of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program^®. Fear-Less isn’t about eliminating fear altogether – sometimes, fear protects us. Instead, it’s about giving your family a toolbox of strategies, skills, and knowledge to manage anxious feelings and stop unnecessary worrying. Fear-Less Triple P is based on extensive research with families of anxious children by clinical psychologists. It can work for you too — and now it’s online!

Get a better understanding of anxiety and fear and what can be done about it.

Break the cycle of anxiety and avoidance, in a safe and gradual way.

Understand what’s within your control to change.

Improve your relationship with your children.

Enjoy being a parent more!

What the sessions include:

6 Modules:

Understanding Anxiety - Learn more about anxiety and how it works. Get a better understanding of your child’s anxiety, and set some goals for change
Promoting Emotional Resilience – Find out how to encourage children to express, tolerate and manage upsetting emotions more effectively
Setting a Good Example & Encouraging Realistic Thinking – Learn more about flexible and realistic thinking and how it can reduce anxiety. Recognise and change unhelpful ways of thinking and encourage your children to do this too.
Understanding Avoidance – Discover how anxiety and avoidance create a cycle and how to break it, in a gradual and effective way
Responding to Children’s anxiety – Discover the advantages and disadvantages of common responses to anxiety, and learn new strategies
Constructive Problem Solving & Maintaining Progress- Use a step-by-step framework to help children manage their anxiety and become more capable and confident. Review your own progress and set goals for the future, and get guidance on how to achieve them

How is it delivered?

Parents to complete at their own pace and at a time that suits them with the addition of wrap around support from the parenting team, supporting parents through the programme, regular check ins and regular meetings via Microsoft Teams with groups of other parents to share experiences and embed the learning

How can I find out more? Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at:

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

Triple P baby is for parents who are about to or have recently had a new baby to help you prepare for and adjust to parenting a new-born.

What are the aims:

Positively nurture your baby’s development and a close relationship right from the start - this toolkit of tips and ideas really works!

You choose what works for you - adapt to suit your baby, your family, your values

Be confident about responding to your baby and meeting their needs, and having options if there are challenges (e.g., with crying or sleeping patterns)

Learn how to manage your emotions and communicate more effectively with your partner about parenting

What the sessions include:

7 Modules:

Introduction -Take a positive parenting approach right from the beginning. Build a strong and secure relationship with your baby, for the best start in life as their brain and body grow rapidly. Learn how everyday interactions with your infant make a difference
Understanding your Baby’s Development- Find out more about what influences a baby’s development and what you can do to create positive learning opportunities each day. Discover how to avoid common unhelpful beliefs about parenting. Learn different ways to keep track of your baby’s activities and progress.
Promoting your Baby’s Development- Learn how to build a positive relationship with your baby, tune into their signals and the importance of affection. Find out more about encouraging new skills, including flexible routines.
Responding to your Baby- Understand more about how babies communicate, how to encourage contentment and what to expect when it comes to crying. There’s also a variety of ways to soothe and settle babies, as well as strategies to promote positive sleeping habits.
Survival Skills- Discover the common emotional ‘traps’ that new parents can experience. Learn about coping strategies to manage uncomfortable emotions (eg. Stress, anxiety, sadness) and build your emotional wellbeing toolkit.
Partner Support – learn more about relationship changes most new parents experience, and ways to avoid communication challenges. Help maintain a positive environment with tips on partner communication and maintaining relationship happiness
Reviewing and maintaining progress- What’s going well? What can you continue to work on? There are tips on maintaining positive changes, as you continue to care for your baby and help them grow and develop while also looking after yourself

How is it delivered?

Parents to complete at their own pace and at a time that suits them with the addition of wrap around support from the parenting team, supporting parents through the programme, regular check ins and regular meetings via Microsoft Teams with groups of other parents to share experiences and embed the learning

How can I find out more? Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at:

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

Triple P Transitions gives the parent new ways to help protect their child and themselves from the fallout from a family separation. Family Transitions Triple P is designed for parents who are experiencing personal distress from separation or divorce, which is impacting on or complicating their parenting. Family Transitions Triple P assists parents who need extra support to adjust and manage the transition from a two-parent family to a single-parent family. It focuses on skills to resolve conflicts with former partners and how to cope positively with stress. NB Family Transitions is not a mediation programme, so you should attend on your own or, if you want support, with your new partner. If your expartner wants to do Family Transitions, you will attend separate groups.

What are the aims:

The programme is designed for parents who are experiencing personal distress from separation or divorce, which is impacting on or complicating their parenting. Parents may be concerned that the divorce is upsetting their children, or they may want to learn ways to talk to their children about it and teach them ways to cope. Parents who do this course usually have concurrent concerns about their child’s behaviour.

What the sessions cover:

Session 1: Divorce - a family transition. During this session, parents learn the parent traps during separation and divorce, how to talk to their children about separation and divorce, and how to help children manage their emotions.

Session 2: Coping with emotions (1). Parents learn to identify unhelpful emotions (e.g., stress, anxiety, anger) and the link between these unhelpful emotions and parenting. Coping skills and relaxation strategies will also be discussed during this session.

Session 3: Coping with emotions (2). This session teaches parents how thoughts influence emotions and how they can challenge those automatic unhelpful thoughts. They will also learn coping strategies and how to take care of themselves.

Session 4: Managing conflict. During this session, the practitioner explains to parents the model of conflict and provides different conflict response styles. Parents will learn assertive communication skills, how to hold a child-related discussion with their former partner, problem solving techniques, and develop a parenting plan.

Session 5: Balancing work, family and play. During this session, the practitioner discusses with parents developing a new family identity, social support, and developing new romantic relationships.

How is it delivered

Triple P Transitions is delivered as a group or can be delivered as an online programme. The 5 sessions are delivered over 2 hours per weekly session.

How can I find out more?

Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at:

Triple P (opens link in new window)

There are also courses where no referral is needed from a professional and parents/carers can refer themselves. These are listed below

Speech Stars - Support and training for parents and carers

Learn more about how to support your child’s speech, language and communication skills.

From storytelling to vocabulary development, our experienced tutors will guide you through a range of fun and engaging activities to try at home.

Various venues across Kirklees
Weekly group informal training sessions
Opportunities to meet other parents and carers
Practical ideas and resources provided

To register your interest, please use the following link:

Speech Stars registration (opens link in new window)

or email:

Speech.stars@kirklees.gov.uk

You can also call the Kirklees Success Centre on 01484 234153 for more information.

Who's it for?

People with learning disabilities in Kirklees, Calderdale and Barnsley.

Aim of the programme

The course is to help empower people with learning disabilities to build safe and healthy relationships. We are always looking for people to get involved and have their say. We encourage you to get involved by hosting workshops, steering groups and taking part in the course itself.

What the course covers

12weeks covering

friendships, consent, intimate relationships, online dating, how to stay safe and mate crime.

Courses start Autumn 2024 in Kirklees and Calderdale and 2025 in Barnsley.

To book or find out more information call 07710020235 or 01924 454875

Email - happyhealthyrelationships@cloverleafadvocacy.co.uk

Other online parenting resources available

The Spark - Parenting relationship courses (opens link in new window)

Family Lives

Family Lives - Online parenting courses (opens link in new window)

Family Links Programme- 0nline version via netmums ( open to dads/ carers etc not just mums. Register with netmums to access the programme)

Net Mums - Family Links (opens link in new window)

How to Prevent Meltdowns in Children of All Ages (opens link in new window)

Early Years Resources

NSPCC

Look, Say, Sing, Play early years resources to use and share with parents | NSPCC Learning (opens link in new window)

Daily activities to build your baby's brain & your parent confidence in the first 1000 days of life. (opens link in new window)

Oliiki App
Daily activities to build your baby's brain & your parent confidence in the first 1000 days of life.
oliikiapp.com (opens link in new window)

Online Safety

Think you know (opens link in new window)

Wakeup Wednesday – Information for parents produced weekly around apps and websites designed for children.

Wakeup Wednesday (opens link in new window)

Sleep

Sleep Charity support (opens link in new window)

Building resilience in children

Family Lives - Building resilience (opens link in new window)

Mindfulness resource

Hear for you or them (opens link in new window)

Mental health – young people

Teens health - your mind (opens link in new window)

Teen health - Transitions (opens link in new window)

Young mental health site (opens link in new window)

Dads - The essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS, giving new dads the knowledge and practical skills needed to support you and your partner to give your baby the best possible start in life

The Dad Pad (opens link in new window)

Reducing Parental Conflict

Links to National and Local resources for parents and practitioners

Relationships matter webpage (opens link in new window)

We Are Amity webpage (opens link in new window)

There are also courses where no referral is needed from a professional and parents/carers can refer themselves. These are listed below

Speech Stars - Support and training for parents and carers

Useful links

Families Together