Families supported by children's services

Parenting when Separated is a six week parenting programme. It is a targeted selective programme for children between the ages of 0 and 18 whose parents are preparing for, going through, or have gone through, a separation or divorce. The programme is for parents of younger  and older children, for residential, none residential and co- residential parents, as well as for parents who are recently separated, or who have separated for some time or who have never been in a relationship with the child’s other parent.  The programme focuses on: Solving co-parenting problems in a positive way which focuses on the needs of children, support to create practical arrangements for children that minimise stress and conflict, positive communication strategies, strategies to cope with the emotional impact of separation and management of stress including helping children cope emotionally with the separation. The programme runs for 6 weeks

Making a referral to Early Help  Parenting when Separated programme 

If you are a social worker or Early Help worker, please process your request for Parenting when Separated programme through Mosaic. If you are lead professional from a partner agency (such as Health or School) and you don’t have access to Mosaic please contact your Early Help Partnership Officer that can facilitate the request for you.

Email your Partnership Officer.

Parents will need to be open to Early Help or a social worker, and you will need the family's consent to make referral. It is best to have discussed the programme fully with parents before making referrals. 

The session is specifically for grandparents who take on a key role in caring for their grandchildren. It gives an opportunity to look at how parenting has changed, parenting styles, routines and boundaries, consistency, taking care of yourself as a career, current teenager issues and how grandparents and parents can co-work together.  The programme is particularly suitable for grandparents who have the full time care of their grandchildren. The session is a 2-hour workshop

Making a referral to Early Help grandparents workshop

If you are a social worker or Early Help worker, please process your request for Grandparents' Workshop through Mosaic. If you are lead professional from a partner agency (such as Health or School) and you don’t have access to Mosaic please contact your Early Help Partnership Officer that can facilitate the request for you. 

Email your Partnership Officer.

Parents will need to be open to Early Help or a social worker, and you will need the family's consent to make referral. It is best to have discussed the programme fully with parents before making referrals. 

This online interactive programme will look at parents’ experiences, ACES and how these affect parenting styles.  The sessions will include discussions around 

• keeping your child safe
• life stories
• looking after yourself
• pregnancy and birth
• being a parent
• how you were parented

The sessions are similar to the ‘Mellow parenting programmes’, using a reflective and trauma informed approach to discuss links between parents own experiences in childhood and their current parenting experiences now. The sessions also focus on relationships and attachments.The session is a 2x 2-hour workshop

Making a referral to Early Help Being a Parent in Walsall programme

If you are a social worker or Early Help worker, please process your request for BAP through Mosaic. If you are lead professional from a partner agency (such as Health or School) and you don’t have access to Mosaic please contact your Early Help Partnership Officer that can facilitate the request for you

Email your Partnership Officer.

Parents will need to be open to Early Help or a social worker, and you will need the family's consent to make referral. It is best to have discussed the programme fully with parents before making referrals. 

All the Early Help programmes and bespoke packages of support focus on the following key areas of parenting:  

1. Parents are the most influential factor in a child's /young person’s life. All programmes share information with parents about brain development.
2. The parent/child relationship and ability of parent to be in tune with their children is key to heathy development. All programme focus on attachment-building.
3. Many parents come to their parenting role trying to cope with adversity (ACE) and trauma from their own childhoods. All programmes focus on ACEs and trauma-informed practice.
4. The emotional health of the parent is crucial to supporting the emotional health of their child. All programmes focus on the concepts of parental containment and reciprocity.
5. Parenting styles are affected by parental stress and include family tradition. They can often include subconscious parenting practice. All programmes are designed to help parents come to their own reflections and conclusions about their parenting practices.

The parenting team comprises specialist parenting workers who are trained in a range of evidence based parenting programmes.   If you would like to know more, contact the Early Help parenting team.

Face to face group parenting programmes and support from schools pastoral/ parenting workers (for the parents of pupils at their school) 

Many schools offer parenting support through pastoral workers, parenting support advisors, parenting support workers and counsellors. Grace Academy also has a consistent Teen Triple P Group offer for their pupils' parents.  If you would like access or explore the support on offer, talk to the child’s school directly. If you are a school worker and would like to explore accessing evidence based parenting programme training so this can become part of your pastoral / wellbeing offer contact the Early Help parenting team about free training and support offers.