Psychology of Parenting Project

Information Supporting Application

The rationale guiding the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP)

The Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) initiative is aimed at improving the availability of high-quality evidence-based parenting programmes for families with young children who have elevated levels of behaviour problems.

Effective interventions are needed for these children because:

Approximately 10% of preschool children display atypical and persisting high levels of behaviour problems ( aggression, noncompliance and poor temper control ) that are strongly predictive of a host of poor outcomes such as school exclusion, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse and mental health difficulties later in life

By their late-twenties, children with these difficulties are set to cost the public purse ten times more than their normative peers

Why focus on parenting?

‘Put succinctly, parents create people. It is the entrusted and abiding task of parentsto prepare their offspring for the physical, psychosocial and economic conditions inwhich they will eventually fare, and it is hoped, flourish…. Parents are the “finalcommon pathway” to children’s development and stature, adjustment and success.’(Bornstein, 2002)

The development of the PoPP plan

The development of the PoPP plan began with the identification of the mostrobustly-evidenced parenting programmes to help parents bring about positiveoutcomes for young children with elevated levels of behaviour problems. Twoprogrammes, The Incredible Years Preschool BASIC and Level 4 GroupTriple P was selected due to their extensive evidence base and their ability to offer support to parents with different needs and availability.

If you are interested in training in either Incredible Years or Group Triple P and becoming part of Edinburgh’s Psychology of Parenting Project please read the information below and fill in the application form attached. Please note that any practitioners interested must have their manager’s approval.

Edinburgh Incredible Years Parenting Programme

What is Incredible Years?The Incredible Years Parenting Programme within the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) takes a positive parenting approach and is delivered over 14 weeks to parents and carers of children aged 3 and 4 years old who are experiencing a variety of difficulties within their parenting role. Parents may be finding it difficult to put in place appropriate boundaries and positive parenting strategies to support their child’s social and emotional development. The aim of this programme is to prevent and address young children’s behavioural problems and promote their social, emotional and academic persistence. The programme runs with up to 10 parents and each session lasts for 2 and ½ hours. It is good practice to meet with all parents prior to the course commencing. Parents will be selected for participation using a range of tools or methods but all will undertake the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire which will also be re-issued at the end of the course to measure outcomes for the child/children. The Incredible Years materials also include a short evaluation sheet for parents/carers after each session and a full evaluation of the programme at the end of the course.

General Aims treatment of child aggression and behaviour problems

prevention of conduct problems, delinquency, violence and drug abuse

promotion of child social competence, emotional regulation, positive parental attributions, academic readiness and problem solving, improved parent-child interactions, improved parental functioning, less harsh and more nurturing parenting and

Increased parental social support and problem-solving

Family resourcesEach family will receive a copy of the Incredible Years trouble shooting guide. This book is closely tied into the course with the reading of chapters included in weekly home activities. This book is also available in many different languages and in audio format. Worksheets also form part of weekly home activities however these are mainly to support reflection of hands on tasks that parents/carers undertake with their children.

Facilitator resourcesEach facilitator will receive a copy of the Incredible Years trouble shooting guide at training:

The delivery of each programme requires the use of the Incredible Years Pre-school basic manual. This includes an overview of the programme, planning materials, detailed session plans, video resources, home activities works sheets and information on accreditation.

Training requirementsTo deliver Incredible Years to parents, facilitators must have completed the active-skills training programme and demonstrated their knowledge and competence in programme delivery through a skills-based accreditation process. Facilitators new to group work are encouraged to complete the additional group work training provided by the Parent and Carer Support Team via Workforce Learning and Development. The table below provides an estimate of the time commitment required for facilitators to participate in the required training.

Practitioner briefing

9.30-16.30

Connecting with Parents

9.30- 16.30

Number of Training

Days

9.00-17.00

Experts in Action

9.30-16.30

Pre-delivery consultation

sessionTotal

1 day 1 day 3 days 1 day 1 day 7 days

Delivery time commitmentIn addition to the delivery of the programme the facilitator should allow time for set up, preparing for and reviewing the sessions with their co-facilitator, reviewing home activities, and collating and submitting group data such as attendance, evaluation, etc to the administrative support person. Facilitators may be able to shadow or co-deliver with an experienced facilitator initially to help increase their confidence. Facilitators are required to deliver at least two Incredible Years programmes per year to ensure programmes are regularly available for parents in their local area. Please see the table below for approximate delivery guideline times for each group.

Initial Parent Meeting/

Home Visit

Group Sessions

Set up, Preparation , Review and

Data Collection

Peer consultation

meeting

Total

30 minutes per parent

(Maximum 5 parents per

facilitator, also

35 hours (2 ½ hours per

session for 14 weeks)

3 hours per session

At least I hourEquivalent of one day per week for 14 weeks per

programme

allow for travelling time)

9.0

The importance of fidelityFor families to derive maximum benefit from the programme, it is imperative that the programme is delivered as close as possible, in terms of method and content, to the research trials from which the evidence-base is derived. The mechanisms in place to support the drive towards fidelity include

Standardised trainings Manualised materials Post-training supervision Post-training accreditation schemes Fidelity-monitoring schemes Fidelity-monitoring tools Post-training assistance Practitioner support networks

SupportThe Parent and Carer Support Team has responsibility for co-ordinating and supporting the delivery of a range of parenting programmes including the Incredible Years programmes across Edinburgh. Following training, facilitators will join Edinburgh’s team of Incredible Years facilitators who deliver programmes in various areas across the city. The Parent and Carer Support Team will support facilitators to plan, set up, promote, deliver and evaluate The Incredible Years Parenting Programme.Facilitators will be expected to attend Incredible Years facilitator supervision forums and peer support sessions throughout the year to enhance their engagement with parents and delivery of the programme. This will also allow facilitators an opportunity to raise any concerns, share good practice and contribute to plans to improve the implementation of Incredible Years in Edinburgh. It is our aim that facilitators are given the support they need to undertake the delivery of targeted parenting programmes in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Group Triple P- Positive Parenting Programme

What is Group Triple P?

Group Teen Triple P within the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) is a broad-based parenting programme delivered over eight weeks to parents and carers of children aged 3 and 4 years old who are experiencing a variety of difficulties within their parenting role. Parents may be finding it difficult to put in place appropriate boundaries and positive parenting strategies to support their child’s social and emotional development. The programme runs with up to 10 parents and starts with four (2 hour) group sessions where parents actively participate in a range of exercises. In weeks 5, 6 and 7 individual telephone or consultation sessions assist parents with independent problem solving while they are practising the skills at home. The programme then concludes with a final group session to review progress, discuss maintenance issues and complete final evaluations. Parents will be selected for participation using a range of tools or methods but all will undertake the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire which will also be re-issued at the end of the course to measure outcomes for the child/children

General Aims

To promote the development, growth, health and social competencies of children and young people

To promote the development of non-violent, protective and nurturing environments for children

To promote the independence and health of families by enhancing parents’ knowledge, skills and confidence

To enhance the competence, resourcefulness and self-sufficiency of parents in raising their children

To reduce the incidence of behavioural problems, child abuse, mental illness and delinquency

Family resourcesEach family will receive a copy of the Triple P Group Workbook. This workbook provides them with the content of all sessions, space to complete written exercises and an outline of all homework tasks.

Facilitator resourcesEach facilitator will receive a copy of the following Group Triple P practitioner resources at training:Facilitator’s Kit for Group Triple P (includes Facilitator’s Manual, CD Rom with Group Teen Triple PPowerPoint presentations, and the Teen Triple P Group Workbook); and Every Parent’s Guide to Teenagers [DVD].

Training requirementsTo deliver Group Triple P to parents, facilitators must have completed the active-skills training programme and demonstrated their knowledge and competence in programme delivery through a skills-based accreditation process. Facilitators new to group work are encouraged to complete the additional group work training provided by the Parent and Carer Support Team via Workforce Learning and Development. The table below provides an estimate of the time commitment required for facilitators to participate in the required training.

Practitioner briefing

Connecting with

Parents

Number of Training

Days

Pre Accreditatio

nday

Accreditation Day

PASS Training

1 day 1 day 3 days 1 day 1/2 day 1 day

Total training commitment 7.5 days

Delivery time commitmentIn addition to the delivery of the programme, individual telephone or consultation sessions, the facilitator should allow time for set up, preparing for and reviewing the sessions with their co-facilitator, reviewing questionnaire booklets, and collating and submitting group data such as attendance, evaluation, etc. to the administrative support person. Facilitators are required to deliver four Group Triple P programmes per year to ensure programmes are regularly available for parents in their local area. The overall time commitment is around 1 day per week.

The importance of fidelityFor Families to derive maximum benefit from the programme, it is imperative that they are delivered as close as possible, in terms of method and content, to the research trials from which the evidence-base is derived. The mechanisms in place to support the drive towards fidelity include

Standardised trainings Manualised materials Post-training supervision Post-training accreditation schemes Fidelity-monitoring schemes Fidelity-monitoring tools Post-training assistance Practitioner support networks

SupportThe Parent and Carer Support Team has responsibility for co-ordinating and supporting the delivery of a range of parenting programmes including Group Triple P programmes across Edinburgh. Following training, facilitators will join Edinburgh’s team of Group Triple P facilitators who deliver programmes in each area of the city. The Parent and Carer Support Team will support facilitators to plan, set up, promote, deliver and evaluate Group Triple P programmes. Facilitators will be expected to attend Group Triple P facilitator forums and peer support sessions throughout the year to enhance their engagement with parents and delivery of the programme. This will also allow facilitators an opportunity to raise any concerns, share good practice and contribute to plans to improve the implementation of Group Triple P in Edinburgh. It is our aim that facilitators are given the support they need to undertake the delivery of targeted parenting programmes in Edinburgh.