Our Parenting Programmes
Supporting Parents. Strengthening Families. Helping Children Thrive.
Every family is different, and there is no single “right way” to parent. Parenting can be rewarding, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. Our evidence-based programmes are designed to support parents and carers at every stage of their child’s development, helping build stronger relationships, improve emotional wellbeing, and promote positive outcomes for children.
Our programmes are delivered by trained practitioners in a welcoming, non-judgemental environment where families can learn practical strategies, share experiences, and build confidence.
Click on each course button below to find out more.
Incredible Years®
Building Strong Relationships Through Positive Parenting
The Incredible Years programme is an internationally recognised, evidence-based parenting intervention that supports parents to strengthen their relationship with their child and develop effective strategies for promoting positive behaviour.
The programme focuses on helping parents understand the reasons behind behaviour, build emotional connections, and develop practical skills for responding to challenging situations calmly and consistently.
Parents attending the programme have the opportunity to learn alongside others facing similar experiences, creating a supportive environment where ideas, challenges, and successes can be shared.
Topics relate to:
- Strengthening parent-child relationships
- Encouraging positive behaviour through praise and play
- Developing effective routines and boundaries
- Managing difficult behaviour calmly and consistently
- Supporting children’s emotional regulation
- Building children’s social and problem-solving skills
Who is the programme for?
Parents and carers of children experiencing behavioural, emotional, or relationship difficulties.
Delivery:
- Group-based intervention
- Weekly sessions
- Typically 12–14 weeks
- Delivered by trained practitioners
Outcomes:
Families often report increased confidence, improved relationships, reduced conflict, and greater enjoyment of family life.
💬 Why does The Incredible Years work?
The programme is based on decades of international research.
Rather than focusing on punishment, it helps parents:
- notice positive behaviour
- strengthen attachment
- coach emotions
- use praise effectively
- set consistent boundaries
- solve problems together
Parents practise skills each week and gradually build confidence.
Parent Tip
Children are much more likely to repeat behaviours that receive positive attention.
Even five minutes of uninterrupted play each day can strengthen your relationship.
This programme is based on principles of:
- attachment
- social learning theory
- child development
- emotional coaching
Incredible Years Autism (ASC)
Supporting Parents of Neurodivergent Children
The Incredible Years Autism Spectrum and Language Delays programme has been specifically adapted for parents of autistic children and children with social communication differences.
The programme recognises the unique strengths and needs of neurodivergent children and supports parents to better understand communication, emotional regulation, sensory needs, and behaviour.
Parents are provided with practical strategies that can be tailored to their child’s individual profile while connecting with other families who share similar experiences.
Topics relate to:
- Understanding autism and communication differences
- Supporting emotional regulation
- Promoting social interaction and play
- Developing routines and transitions
- Managing sensory needs
- Encouraging independence and daily living skills
Who is the programme for?
Parents and carers of autistic children or children with social communication needs.
Delivery:
- Group-based intervention
- Weekly sessions
- Approximately 14-16 weeks
- Delivered by trained facilitators
Outcomes:
Parents often report feeling more confident, less isolated, and better equipped to support their child’s development.
Understanding Neurodiversity
Autistic children experience the world differently.
The programme recognises that behaviour often communicates:
- sensory overload
- anxiety
- communication needs
- uncertainty
- fatigue
Rather than asking
“Why is my child behaving like this?”
parents learn to ask
“What is my child communicating?”
What is sensory regulation?
Many autistic children experience the world more intensely.
Sounds, Lights, Textures, Busy environments, Unexpected changes may all affect how a child feels and behaves.
Understanding sensory needs often reduces distress.
Personalised Individual Parent Therapy (PIPT)
Understanding Relationships to Create Change
PIPT provides a safe, reflective therapeutic space for parents to explore their relationships, experiences, and parenting journey.
Sometimes past experiences, stress, trauma, or difficult life events can affect family relationships. PIPT supports parents to understand these experiences and consider how they may influence current parenting and family dynamics.
The intervention is tailored to each family’s needs and delivered in a compassionate, non-judgemental way with parent and child.
Areas that support influences:
- Parent-child relationships
- Attachment and bonding
- Emotional wellbeing
- Loss, trauma, or difficult life experiences
- Understanding patterns in relationships
- Building parental confidence
Who is the programme for?
Parents requiring more intensive, therapeutic, or individualised support.
Delivery:
- One-to-one sessions
- Parent and child
- Flexible delivery
- Tailored to family needs
Outcomes:
Families often report improved relationships, increased insight, and greater emotional wellbeing.
Why Relationships Matter?
Children learn about relationships from their caregivers.
Sometimes our own childhood experiences influence how we respond to stress, conflict or behaviour.
PIPT offers a safe space to reflect without judgement.
The aim isn’t to blame parents.
It’s to understand patterns and build healthier relationships.
Guided Self-Help (GSH)
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Guided Self-Help is a structured, evidence-informed intervention that supports parents experiencing mild to moderate emotional or parenting difficulties.
Working alongside a practitioner, parents are supported to identify goals, develop coping strategies, and build confidence in managing challenges.
The intervention is practical, goal-focused, and designed to empower families to develop sustainable solutions.
Areas covered may include:
- Parental stress management
- Anxiety and low mood
- Problem solving
- Building resilience
- Parenting confidence
- Goal setting and action planning
Who is the programme for?
Parents experiencing mild to moderate difficulties who would benefit from short-term support.
Delivery:
- Individual sessions
- Typically 6–8 sessions
- Online or face to face
- Structured and goal-oriented
Outcomes:
Parents often report increased confidence, improved wellbeing, and greater ability to manage everyday challenges.
Why parental wellbeing matters
Parents cannot always pour from an empty cup.
Looking after your own wellbeing benefits your child too.
All programmes are delivered by trained practitioners using evidence-based approaches.
- Understand the impact of trauma, neglect, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
- Build secure attachment relationships that support emotional development.
- Respond to behaviour through a therapeutic rather than punitive lens.
- Co-regulate and support emotional regulation in children and young people.
- Strengthen consistency, boundaries, and relational safety within the home.
- Improved attachment security and emotional regulation in children.
- Reduced placement breakdown and family stress.
- Improved parent confidence and reduced isolation.
- Better long-term outcomes in education, behaviour, and wellbeing.
- Improve communication and reduce entrenched conflict.
- Understand patterns that may be impacting relationships.
- Strengthen attachment and emotional connection.
- Navigate trauma, loss, separation, and life transitions.
- Support children and young people experiencing emotional or behavioural distress.
- Improved emotional wellbeing for children and parents.
- Reduced behavioural difficulties and family breakdown.
- Better engagement with education and services.
- Increased resilience and long-term relational stability.
“Is this programme right for me?”
- Our Parenting Support Service is available to parents and carers living in Lewisham who would like support to strengthen relationships, build confidence, and improve family wellbeing.You may be suitable for referral if you:
- Are a parent, carer, guardian, or kinship carer of a child or young person.
- Live in Lewisham or have responsibility for a child attending a Lewisham school.
- Would like support with parenting challenges, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, communication, or family relationships.
- Are willing to participate in a group programme or therapeutic intervention where appropriate.
Please NoteSome programmes have specific eligibility criteria, including:- Child age ranges.
- Presenting needs.
- Referral pathway requirements.
- Availability of spaces.
*Systemic Family Practice referrals are generally accepted for families where there are concerns relating to emotional wellbeing, depression, self-harm, family relationships, or complex relational difficulties. An assessment will help determine suitability.Not Sure Which Programme is Right for You?If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria, please contact our team. We will discuss your circumstances and help identify the most appropriate support for you and your family.
Further Reading
- NHS – Practical advice on child development, behaviour, and family wellbeing through the NHS pregnancy, baby and child health pages.
- The Solihull Approach – Resources to help parents understand children’s behaviour, relationships, and emotional development.
- Anna Freud – Information on children’s mental health, resilience, and parenting. See the Anna Freud resources for parents and carers.
- NSPCC – Advice on positive parenting and keeping children safe through the NSPCC support for parents.