Frequently Asked Questions

For many reasons it can be difficult for parents to seek support around their child’s behaviour.

Perhaps you feel overwhelmed or you feel that you have tried everything, but feel demoralised that the behaviour continues.

Maybe you feel embarrassed, ashamed or worried about being judged, that your child’s behaviour is your fault.

Maybe you have tried to get support and found that your experience was trivialised, misunderstood, minimised or dismissed or the strategies given did not work.

Well fear not, here at Help The Parent we understand how you are feeling. We understand that it is not just a case of putting in a boundary or ‘giving a punishment.’ as others may have advised in the past. We understand it is far more difficult and complex than this.

The “Who’s In Charge” course stands out. There are many alternative parenting courses and behaviour management strategies out there, but they rely on your child being cooperative and engaging in the process.

Many of our parents tell us that their children are strong willed and non -cooperative and that previous behaviour strategies have not worked.

Help the parent believe this is because other courses and advice rely on the child wanting to see their behaviour change and are happy to work directly with a professional. We recognise that is often not the case .

Help The Parent understand that children who are out of parental control, and exhibit ‘behaviours that challenge’ often want to keep the control and do not want to change. This can be for for a whole range of reasons which we will explore together to gain insight into your personal circumstances.

We will work with you, the parent, to find a strategy that will help you to support your child to express their emotions appropriately, reduce unacceptable behaviour, strengthen connection with your child and help you to feel more in control again.

Together we will find a way that even the most un-cooperative, oppositional, ‘doesn’t care about anything’ child will respond to.

Help the Parent are non judgemental and supportive. We are here for you throughout the eight weeks and beyond as we offer follow up support and ongoing support over the following year. It is Help the Parent’s mission to empower parents and carers to achieve the balance, boundaries and control they would like within their homes and lives, whilst maintaining positive and loving relationships with their child . We are passionate and committed in achieving this.

Free 30 minute initial discussion.

The cost of the who’s in charge programme package is £500.

This package includes;

8 sessions which run over 8 consecutive weeks.

A 9th review and recap session which will take place between six and eight weeks following session eight.

One - one support from Debbie and Helen (face to face, telephone and email) throughout the duration of the programme.

If required, a free follow up consultation during the year following the completion of the course.

A week by week “Who’s In Charge” resource pack for you to enhance learning whilst on the programme and for you to refer back to if needed.

If you would like us to, Help the Parent will also liaise with additional services and agencies that you may be working with, for example the school SENCO, pastoral team or Early Help worker, to aid communication and consistency.

Individual session

The cost of a one hour consultation is £65. Please see the following FAQ for details.

seminar presentation ,

cost on application dependent on requirements

If following your free initial discussion, Help The Parent feel that there are some key strategies that could be used to address the behaviours you describe, without the need for the full programme, we may suggest an individual, one hour consultation.

During this consultation we will discuss your situation further so that Help The Parent can create a personalised behaviour plan for you.

We believe that the Who’s In Charge programme is more effective when taught in a group setting. However, if you really feel very strongly that this is not for you, please contact us to discuss further.

Help The Parent work to empower parents and carers to achieve the balance, boundaries and control they would like within their homes and lives, whilst maintaining positive and loving relationships with their child.

The “Who’s In Charge” programme sets out to encourage and empower parents to see change in their current situation.

We aim to;

Reduce parent’s feelings of isolation.

Challenge parent’s feelings of guilt.

Lessen deterministic thinking about the causes of the behaviour.

Reinforce belief in possibility of change (without giving false hope or creating complacency).

Clarify boundaries of what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Teach behaviour strategies.

Strengthen the relationship between parent and child

The programme will also enhance understanding and skills in key themes such as;

Anger

Communication

Assertiveness

Self-care

Reinforce progress and provide emotional support while parents are learning to becoming more assertive and empowered.

Help the Parent create a welcoming and relaxed environment. We fully understand it can feel daunting to attend a new group.

Help The Parent facilitate group sessions with a maximum of eight people to ensure that we can get to know each other well and fully explore each participants journey. This also means that group members feel more comfortable to participate and we can maintain a more informal learning environment.

Help the Parent are committed to creating a relaxed and non judgemental space. We want parents to be in an environment where they can reflect and learn and feel supported by both Debbie and Helen and their peers. We appreciate the time sacrifices you are making in attending and we want you to enjoy your sessions whilst learning. Tea, coffee and refreshemnts are always on offer.

Debbie and Helen facilitate every session together. Each session is a mixture of informal teaching and discussion. We spend time reviewing strategies you have been trying at home or discuss reflections you may have had.

Sessions 1-8 last for two and a half hours and we take a comfort break half way through.

We will provide you with the handouts for the week which will provide you with helpful summaries and reminders of the weeks learning. Every parent will have a full portfolio at the end of the programme to take home and to re visit when needed.

We re-group for session nine, 6-8 weeks after session eight. This gap allows time for you to continue to implement your plans and individual strategies independently.

Help the Parent always enjoy listening to the journey parents share with successes, moments of clarity, empowerment and the strengthening relationship with their son or daughter.

The initial discussion will be a telephone call with Debbie or Helen. We will listen to your situation and the history surrounding this.

We will discuss your needs, your needs as a parent, your child’s needs and the needs of the family and we will determine whether the “Who’s in Charge” programme or a different strategy is right for you.

Help The Parent are experienced and intuitive in understanding and recognising key issues during our initial discussion and will assess how we can help you.

Yes absolutely. If you or your child are being supported by a particular agency or professional, we can discuss this during the initial discussion and we will establish the aims and focus of this work.

Remember that Help the Parent are happy to liaise with other professionals that you are working with over the duration of the programme with no additional cost.

We have found that working collaboratively in this way is succesful and provides parents with an extra layer of support with the changes they are making.

Parents who have a child with either a diagnosed additional need or are on the pathway for assessment and diagnosis, work with us and see improvement in their childs behaviour as well as an enhanced insight into themselves and their situation.

Please contact to us to discuss your individual needs.

Debbie and Helen are highly experienced in working with children and their parents and carers and families with SEND.

Help The Parent can also support you to liaise effectively with your child’s school.