Parenting �Support Offer

London Borough of Sutton

Family Hubs

Parenting Support Offer

We know that being a parent can be both rewarding and challenging, and we all need a helping hand at times.

Knowing where to go and who to turn to can be vital to getting that help early and preventing further escalation.

Our parenting support programmes are a source of support for all parents and carers and offer an opportunity to share parenting experiences, develop a greater understanding of child development, build positive relationships and learn skills to deal with challenging behaviour.

What support can I get as a parent/carer and what do we offer in Sutton?

We provide the following parenting support programmes.

Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC)

• Being a Parent
• Being a Parent - Together

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Care for the Family

• Time out for for Parents -///////////he Teenage Years
• Time out for Parents - Managing Anger in the family
• Time Out for Parents - Autism

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Adapt to Learn

• Small Change, Big Difference

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Parenting Support Offer

EPEC: Being a Parent course

What is EPEC�

Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) is a proven method of prevention and early intervention that helps children and families get the very best start in life. 

Parents tell us that the support programmes ‘work’. They tell us that the Being a Parent and the Being a �Parent-Together parenting programmes has helped to improve their family’s lives and it has increased �their confidence and skills as a parent. 

What does EPEC offer? 

• The delivery of peer-led parenting courses. 
• 9 week course – 2 hours per session. This includes and coffee/information session at the beginning of the course.
• For up to 14 parents. 
• Sessions are highly interactive involving an engaging and creative blend �of small and large group discussion, role play, demonstrations, information �sharing and reflection. 
• Parents practice and use new skills in everyday life to achieve specific goals 

Who is it suitable for?

Being a Parent Programme is suitable for any parent/carer with a child 2-11 years of age living in Sutton.

The course aims to improve child development and outcomes, parenting, family resilience and improve family relationships.

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Parenting Support Offer

Course content

Coffee/Information session

• Learn about what is covered during the course
• Meet the programme facilitators
• Sign up for the course

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Session 1: Being a Parent 

• Getting to know each other 
• Goals for parent and child 
• ‘Good enough’ vs ‘perfect parent’ 
• Taking care of ourselves 

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Session 2: Feelings 

• Remembering what it was like to be a child 
• Acknowledging and accepting feelings 
• Expressing feelings 

Session 3: Play 

• Child-led play ��

Session 4: Valuing my child 

• Avoiding labels and describing behaviour 
• Using descriptive praise to change behaviour

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Session 5: Understanding � Children’s Behaviour 

• Understanding children’s needs and their behaviour in response to needs 
• Discipline 
• Commands, consequences, rewards �and star charts �

Session 6: Discipline Strategies 

• Understanding what we mean �by boundaries 
• Time out and saying ‘No’ 
• Household rules �

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Session 7: Listening 

• Communication styles 
• Helping a child when upset 
• ‘Open and Closed’ questions 
• Reflective listening �

Session 8: Review and Support 

• Coping with Stress 
• Reviewing the course and knowing �where to get support 
• Ending and celebration 

Parenting Support Offer

Upcoming courses and sign up details

Course �Start Date 

Course �End Date 

Timings 

Venue 

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For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Parenting Support Offer

EPEC: Being a Parent - Together Course

Being a Parent - Together

Being a Parent - Together is a version of the Being a Parent programme, that has been adapted for couples and main carers who co-parent their children, aged 2-11 years, and who want to attend a parenting course together.

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Parenting and the pressures of everyday life, can be stressful at times and can sometimes lead to conflict between parents.

Parents may have different views on parenting or they may be concerned about disagreements or quarrels and unresolved difficulties in their relationship that are affecting their parenting.

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This course aims to make mothers and fathers welcome together.

It focuses on how mothers and fathers can transform the lives of their children by working

and learning together.

The course improves family relationships which produces positive outcomes for children.

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Parenting Support Offer

Course content

Coffee/Information session

• Learn about what is covered during the course
• Meet the programme facilitators
• Sign up for the course

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Session 1: Being a Parent 

• Getting to know each other 
• Goals for parent and child 
• ‘Good enough’ vs ‘perfect parent’ 
• Taking care of ourselves 

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Session 2: Feelings 

• Remembering what it was like to be a child 
• Acknowledging and accepting feelings 
• Stating the positive

Session 3: Play 

• Expressing feelings
• Child-led play - Special Time��

Session 4: Valuing my child 

• Avoiding labels and describing behaviour 
• Using descriptive praise to change behaviour

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Session 5: Understanding Children’s Behaviour 

• Understanding children’s needs and their behaviour in response to needs 
• Discipline 
• Teamwork and Household Rules�

Session 6: Discipline Strategies 

• Instructions, consequences, rewards and star charts
• Understanding what we mean by boundaries
• Saying No and withdrawing attention

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Session 7: Discipline Strategies

• Time out
• Communication
• ‘Open and Closed’ questions �

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Session 7: Discipline Strategies

• Time out
• Communication
• ‘Open and Closed’ questions �

Session 8: Review and Support 

• Communication styles
• Reflective listening

Session 9: Review and support

• Coping with stress
• Reviewing the course and further support
• Ending and celebration

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Parenting Support Offer

Upcoming courses and sign up details

Course �Start Date 

Course �End Date 

Timings 

Venue 

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For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Parenting Support Offer

Care for the Family: �Time out for parents- Dad’s

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How does it work?

Whether you’re parenting as a couple, a single parent or away dad, this course aims

to help you share your feelings and experiences and come up with solutions to your

problems based on what works for you.

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What’s in the course?

You’ll look at how you can improve your understanding of how to meet your child’s

needs, including learning and development. You’ll explore other key aspects

including building self-esteem and positive communication, setting and maintaining

boundaries, and managing your child’s behaviour.

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There’s also time to think about how your role might change as your child grows and

ways to build a healthy relationship with the wider family.

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Course content

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• Session 1: What are dads for?

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• Welcome and introduction
• Group agreement and confidentiality
• Workshop aims
• The goals of parenting
• The need for dads
• The impact of our own fathers
• Our aspirations as dads
• Reflection
• Focus of the week

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• Session 2: Dad-The Manager

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• Introduction and review
• Children’s temperaments
• Children’s needs
• Building emotional security
• The ‘emotional bank account
• Reflection
• Focus for the week

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• Session 3: Dad- The Coach

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• The importance of time
• Family life from a distance
• The power of words
• Recognising children’s feelings
• Coaching techniques
• Reflection
• Focus of the week

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• Session 4: The Trainer

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• What is discipline?
• Setting the boundaries
• Why children misbehave
• Parenting styles
• What is your style of parenting?
• Keys to positive parenting
• Reflection
• Focus of the week

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• Session 5: The Team Player

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• The importance of time for yourself
• Letting off steam
• Handling conflict
• Family traditions
• Reflections
• Certificates

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Parenting Support Offer

Who is it suitable for?

Time Out for Parents – Dad’s

If you are a dad/stepdad, this course is for you!

Five workshops focussing on the importance of dads and helping you to build an

even better relationship with your children.

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“This course has been an excellent eye-opener in terms of understanding my role as

a father and also the needs of my children.”

Feedback from a parent

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Venue 

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For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk 

Parenting Support Offer

Care for the Family: �Time out for parents- The Teenage Years

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Care for the Family is a national charity which aims to promote a strong family life and

to help those who face family difficulties.

They have been registered and working to strengthen families since 1988.

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The Time Out for Parent courses were developed by Positive Parenting/Care for the

Family.

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All Time Out for Parents programmes include; group discussions and practical tasks

to help parents build on their strengths and gives them the time and space to think

about any positive changes they want to make.

A helpful and easy parent/carer handbook is included with each course.

Course content

Session 1: The challenge of the teenage years

• Welcome and introductions
• Group agreement and confidentiality
• Course aims
• The goals of parenting
• Challenges of the teenage years
• The teenage brain
• Identity
• Independence

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Session 2: Building emotional resilience

• Temperament
• Emotional wellbeing
• Mental health
• Staying connected
• The emotional bank account

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Session 3: Communication

• Communication
• Listening to your teenager
• Understanding body language
• Reflecting back with empathy
• The feeling behind the behaviour
• ‘I’ messages
• Good communication

Session 4: Parenting styles and boundaries

• Parenting styles
• Consistency
• Negotiation
• Choose your battles
• Consequences
• House rules

Session 5: Big Issues

• Risky behaviour
• Let’s talk - about difficult topics
• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs
• Sex and relationships
• It’s not the end of the story

Session 6: Big Issues strong families

• Peer pressure
• Parenting in the digital world
• Screen Time
• Internet safety
• Pornography
• Family media agreement
• Family Traditions’

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Parenting Support Offer

Who is it suitable for?

The Time Out for Parents-The Teenage Years programme is aimed at parents/carers of children aged

11-17 years, wanting general guidance in supporting their child’s social, behavioural and emotional

needs.

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One of the biggest challenges for parents of teenagers is communication. We look at improving it by listening well, using empathy and understanding body language. How we handle conflict is

also crucial, choosing your battles, checking out your anger style, and developing negotiating skills.

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The course is an 6 session course written by parents and professionals. Each session runs for 2 hours.

We hope it will provide an opportunity for families of pre-teens and teenagers to support and encourage

each other.

Venue 

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For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk 

Parenting Support Offer

Care for the Family: �Time out for parents- Managing Anger in the Family

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Care for the Family is a national charity which aims to promote a strong family life and

to help those who face family difficulties.

They have been registered and working to strengthen families since 1988.

​

The Time Out for Parent courses were developed by Positive Parenting/Care for the

Family.

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All Time Out for Parents programmes include; group discussions and practical tasks

to help parents build on their strengths and gives them the time and space to think

about any positive changes they want to make.

A helpful and easy parent/carer handbook is included with each course.

Course content

Session 1: Managing our anger- part 1

• Welcome and introduction
• Group agreement and confidentiality
• Course aims
• What is anger?
• Learning new ways to manage anger
• Anger triggers
• Anger and self esteem
• The Anger River
• Keeping out of the river
• Recognising when we are in the river
• Getting out of the river
• When we have gone over the edge
• Anger diaries

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Session 2: Managing our anger - part 2

• Personal beliefs
• Weighing up consequences
• The broken record strategy
• I-messages
• Relaxation

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Session 3: Helping children manage anger - part 1

• Dealing with children’s anger
• Boundaries and rules
• What makes children angry?
• Responding unhelpfully to anger
• Active listening
• Naming feelings
• Dealing with anger at school

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Session 4: Helping children manage anger - part 2

• Explaining anger to children
• Keeping children out of the river
• Helping children to recognise when they are in the river
• Helping children to weigh up consequences
• Helping children who are close to the edge
• When children go over the edge

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Parenting Support Offer

Who is it suitable for?

The Time Out for Parents-Managing Anger in the Family is aimed at parents/carers of children aged from 5 to 16 years, wanting guidance in meeting their child’s social, behavioural and

emotional needs particularly in relation to anger management.

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This course is a prevention programme to meet the needs of parents facing everyday challenges of parenting, with a particular focus on the issue of anger in the family.

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The programme is a 4 session course written by parents and professionals. Each session runs for 2 hours.

Venue 

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For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk 

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Parenting Support Offer

Care for the Family: �Time out for parents- Autism

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Care for the Family is a national charity which aims to promote a strong family life and

to help those who face family difficulties.

They have been registered and working to strengthen families since 1988.

​

The Time Out for Parent courses were developed by Positive Parenting/Care for the

Family.

​

All Time Out for Parents programmes include; group discussions and practical tasks

to help parents build on their strengths and gives them the time and space to think

about any positive changes they want to make.

A helpful and easy parent/carer handbook is included with each course.

Course content

Session 1: Understanding Autism

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• What is Autism?
• What causes Autism?
• Support Interventions
• Principles of behaviour management
• Sensory processing
• Reflection
• Focus of the week

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Session 2: Understanding the ASD/ASC world

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• Too much information
• Communication
• Social interactions
• Thinking differences
• Anxiety
• Reflection
• Focus of the week
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Session 3: Understanding and managing behaviour

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• Behaviours that annoy or worry
• Repetitive behaviour
• Restricted interests and resistance to change
• Special interests
• Self-esteem
• Reflection
• Focus of the week

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Session 4: Understanding and managing challenging behaviour

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• Challenging behaviours
• Pathological Demand Avoidance
• Problem behaviours
• Meltdowns
• There is always a reason
• Not all negative
• Reflection
• Where do we go from here?

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Parenting Support Offer

Who is it suitable for?

Time Out for Parents – Children with Autism is a four-session course, which will cover the important

subjects of self-esteem, basic principles of behaviour management, the wider family and home/school

issues. It will enhance parents existing knowledge of Autism.

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Who the course is for: Parents/carers of children with a diagnosis of Autism or who are awaiting

Assessment.

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This programme is also for those parents who are concerned that their child may have Autism.

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Venue 

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For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk 

Parenting Support Offer

Adapt to Learn:

Small Change, Big Difference

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What is Adapt to Learn?

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Adapt to Learn is an established educational service offering specialist advice in autism, social communication and

behavioural needs.

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Adapt to Learn work closely with local families to help them to understand their child's additional needs, to analyse

behaviour and to offer effective, practical strategies and bespoke interventions.They also work with many local schools and

Academy Trusts, providing detailed observations, Intervention Plans, one to one sessions and small group work.

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Together, co-founders Melanie and Tracy have over 30 years' experience working for Local Authorities in the field of Special

Educational Needs. They work with children ranging from two to eighteen years of age.

Small Change, Big Difference Course information

Details:

This is a 4-week course which requires a 4-week commitment to attend.

Each session is 2 hours

The course is for parents of all key stages

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Overview

Our aim is to empower parents, supporting them to help their children by developing an in-depth understanding of autism.

Taking a positive approach, we will explore, share and discuss practical strategies to help develop communication skills, pre-empt and manage behaviour and gain confidence and resilience.

During our interactive sessions, parents will be given the opportunity to make connections and friendships with each other, gain support and feel less isolated.

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Parenting Support Offer

Upcoming courses and sign up details

For more information contact:

Theresa Cameron – Parenting Coordinator 

Phone – 07736 338 924 

Clare Kennedy- Parenting Administrator

Phone- 07873 702 777

Email – parenting@sutton.gov.uk 

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Parenting Support Offer

Other parenting support

• Playwise-https://playwise.org.uk/services/#family
• Sutton Women's Centre-https://suttonwomenscentre.co.uk/what-we-offer/
• Sutton Young Carers-https://www.suttoncarerscentre.org/young-carers-services
• Sutton Parent Forum-https://www.suttonparentsforum.org.uk/
• Cognus-https://www.cognus.org.uk/services-for-families/cognus-therapies/
• Bags of Taste-https://bagsoftaste.org/
• Sutton Children's Centres-https://www.sutton.gov.uk/-/children-s-centres-family-support
• Homestart-https://homestartsutton.org.uk/get-support/
• Solihull Parenting-https://solihullapproachparenting.com/online-course-for-parents-0-19/
• Family Lives-https://www.familylives.org.uk/
• Sutton Men in Sheds-https://www.daddilife.com/
• Jigsaw4u-https://www.jigsaw4u.org.uk/parenting/
• Transform Sutton-https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/domestic-abuse/transform-sutton/

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Parenting Support Offer