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Courses for parents and carers

Here you will find a range of courses to suit your family's individual needs. There is a variety to offer, from face-to-face and virtual sessions to online learning and webinars.  

Kirklees Parenting Together

In Kirklees, we have a 'Parenting Together' offer, which covers a range of subjects and includes families with additional needs. Below you will find the different courses that we offer.

Our courses are always evidenced based, using models from professional agencies, in which our staff are trained specifically to deliver

Virtual courses with a core offer of attending at a specific time - universal offer 

Who is it for?

For parents carers of Children aged between 2-15 years

SEND version is suitable for parents/carers of children/young people with a diagnosis/on the path to a diagnosis of a SEND aged between 2 and 19 years.

The Family Links programme can be delivered as a generic parenting programme or adapted for parents/carers whose children have SEND needs. The SEND version the content is delivered in a different order to address the needs of SEND families, and peer support from the group is a major source of support.

Aims of programme:

The Nurturing Programme benefits both adults and children by promoting emotional literacy and emotional health, raising self-esteem, developing communication and social skills, teaching positive ways to resolve conflict, providing effective strategies to encourage co-operative responsible behaviour and managing challenging behaviour in children.  It also offers insights into the influence of feelings on behaviour and encourages adults to take time to look after themselves.  It is a fun and nurturing programme for parents.

What the sessions cover

  • Giving Praise Week Zero – Establishing a Group
  • Week One – Introducing the Nurturing Programme
  • Week Two – The Question of Discipline
  • Week Three – Rules, Rewards and Penalties
  • Week Four – Ages and Stages in Child Development, Helping Children Grow Up
  • Week Five – Personal Power and Self-Esteem, Choices and Consequences
  • Week Six – Feelings…and what we do with them, Communicating Clearing using “I” Statements
  • Week Seven – Kinds of Touch, Nurturing Ourselves
  • Week Eight – Issues around Sex, Helping Children Stay Safe
  • Week Nine – Behaviours to Ignore, Problem Solving and Negotiating
  • Week Ten – Continuing the Family Journey

How is it delivered?

2  hour sessions per week for 10 weeks

6-10 parents/carers per group

2 facilitators per group

Group sessions include the use of media, Flip Charts, group-work activity, discussions and examples of games to play.

Parents/carers receive a programme handbook.

How can I find a group/ find out more?

Tel: 01484 456823

Starting solids (4-7months)

Helping you understand how to establish healthy food preferences and eating habits from the start of your child's life.

  • Signs of readiness to start trying solids.
  • Taking babies on a taste journey.
  • First foods and finger foods.
  • Helping babies enjoy a wide range of tastes and textures.
  • Responsive feeding.
  • Repeated exposure.

Fussy eating (1-7 years)

  • Enjoying mealtimes together as a family.
  • Responsive feeding.
  • Portion sizes.
  • Cutting out grazing.
  • Balancing food groups.

Let's get active (0-5 years)

Building your confidence and knowledge of active games for 0 to 5 year olds and adopting an active lifestyle as a family.

  • Why active play is important.
  • Parents as active role models.
  • Sharing ideas for indoor and outdoor play.
  • Parenting skills and strategies to encourage active play and reduce screen time.
  • National guidance on activity and screen time.

Eating well for less (0-12 years)

Challenging and overcoming the perception that healthy eating is expensive.

  • Sharing tips for shopping on a budget.
  • Menu planning to avoid waste and encourage healthy eating.
  • Shopping to a menu plan and budget.
  • Recipes for simple, healthy, low-cost meals.

Understanding children’s behaviour (0-12 years)

Helping parents/carers understand the needs and feelings that drive children’s behaviour, and gain strategies to help everyone stay calm and find solutions

  • Understanding feelings and needs behind children’s behaviour
  • Parenting styles – balancing being in charge and being responsive
  • Using evidence-based parenting skills to hold boundaries and encourage cooperation:
  • Collective family rewards
  • Guided choices
  • Descriptive guidance and praise.

Looking after ourselves (0-12 years)

Helping parents/carers recognise that they matter too, and that their children will benefit when parents/carers feel happier and are less stressed. Exploring strategies for emotional wellbeing.

  • Share experiences of daily life with young children
  • Recognising signs of stress
  • Understanding feelings and needs behind children’s behaviour and our own
  • Sharing feelings and developing realistic expectations and coping strategies
  • Practical strategies to reduce the stresses of family life

 

 

 

Courses available at parents' own pace - not delivered at a set time 

Who is it for?

Triple P Transitions gives the parent new ways to help protect their child and themselves from the fallout from a family separation. Family Transitions Triple P is designed for parents who are experiencing personal distress from separation or divorce, which is impacting on or complicating their parenting. Family Transitions Triple P assists parents who need extra support to adjust and manage the transition from a two-parent family to a single-parent family. It focuses on skills to resolve conflicts with former partners and how to cope positively with stress. NB Family Transitions is not a mediation programme, so you should attend on your own or, if you want support, with your new partner. If your expartner wants to do Family Transitions, you will attend separate groups.

What are the aims:

The programme is designed for parents who are experiencing personal distress from separation or divorce, which is impacting on or complicating their parenting. Parents may be concerned that the divorce is upsetting their children, or they may want to learn ways to talk to their children about it and teach them ways to cope. Parents who do this course usually have concurrent concerns about their child’s behaviour.

What the sessions cover:

Session 1: Divorce - a family transition. During this session, parents learn the parent traps during separation and divorce, how to talk to their children about separation and divorce, and how to help children manage their emotions.

Session 2: Coping with emotions (1). Parents learn to identify unhelpful emotions (e.g., stress, anxiety, anger) and the link between these unhelpful emotions and parenting. Coping skills and relaxation strategies will also be discussed during this session.

Session 3: Coping with emotions (2). This session teaches parents how thoughts influence emotions and how they can challenge those automatic unhelpful thoughts. They will also learn coping strategies and how to take care of themselves.

Session 4: Managing conflict. During this session, the practitioner explains to parents the model of conflict and provides different conflict response styles. Parents will learn assertive communication skills, how to hold a child-related discussion with their former partner, problem solving techniques, and develop a parenting plan.

Session 5: Balancing work, family and play. During this session, the practitioner discusses with parents developing a new family identity, social support, and developing new romantic relationships.

How is it delivered

Triple P Transitions is delivered as a group or can be delivered as an online programme. The 5 sessions are delivered over 2 hours per weekly session.

How can I find out more?

Tel: 01484 456823 

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at: 

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

An evidence based online parenting programme for parents/carers of children from 0-19 for parents who would like to use effective positive parenting strategies to make a difference to their children’s/young person’s development and wellbeing. Recognising that life can be stressful and challenging at times but things can change for the better

What are the aims of the programme?

Triple P Online covers all the strategies a parent would learn by doing a similar face-to-face parenting programme, with comparable or better ability to reduce social, emotional, and behavioural issues in children and improve their parents' confidence and capability, while also reducing parental levels of stress and depression

Sessions include.

Both versions promote positive parenting strategies, coping and self-care skills. The teen programme also covers emotional and risky behaviours associated with young people.

8 modules for 0-12 package including:

  • Coping with difficulties and emotional stress
  • Encourage good behaviour
  • Prevent tantrums and manage misbehaviour
  • Take the stress out of daily tasks
  • Manage problems calmly, encourage cooperation and following instructions
  • Strengthen the parent child relationship

6 modules for teen package including:

  • Improve communication with your teenager
  • Build a stronger relationship
  • Agree on rules
  • Deal calmly with conflict
  • Navigate emotional ups and downs
  • Equip young people to manage life challenges

How is it delivered?

Parents to complete at their own pace and at a time that suits them with the addition of wrap around support from the parenting team, supporting parents through the programme, regular check ins and regular meetings via Microsoft Teams with groups of other parents to share experiences and embed the learning

How can I find a group/ find out more?

Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at: 

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

Fear-Less Triple P Online is suitable for parents of children aged 6 to 14 years. 

What are the aims:

The Fear-Less Triple P Program is part of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program®. Fear-Less isn’t about eliminating fear altogether – sometimes, fear protects us. Instead, it’s about giving your family a toolbox of strategies, skills, and knowledge to manage anxious feelings and stop unnecessary worrying. Fear-Less Triple P is based on extensive research with families of anxious children by clinical psychologists. It can work for you too — and now it’s online!

Get a better understanding of anxiety and fear and what can be done about it.

Break the cycle of anxiety and avoidance, in a safe and gradual way.

Understand what’s within your control to change.

Improve your relationship with your children.

Enjoy being a parent more!

What the sessions include:

6 Modules:

  1. Understanding Anxiety - Learn more about anxiety and how it works. Get a better understanding of your child’s anxiety, and set some goals for change
  2. Promoting Emotional Resilience – Find out how to encourage children to express, tolerate and manage upsetting emotions more effectively
  3. Setting a Good Example & Encouraging Realistic Thinking – Learn more about flexible and realistic thinking and how it can reduce anxiety. Recognise and change unhelpful ways of thinking and encourage your children to do this too.
  4. Understanding Avoidance – Discover how anxiety and avoidance create a cycle and how to break it, in a gradual and effective way
  5. Responding to Children’s anxiety – Discover the advantages and disadvantages of common responses to anxiety, and learn new strategies
  6. Constructive Problem Solving & Maintaining Progress- Use a step-by-step framework to help children manage their anxiety and become more capable and confident. Review your own progress and set goals for the future, and get guidance on how to achieve them

How is it delivered?

Parents to complete at their own pace and at a time that suits them with the addition of wrap around support from the parenting team, supporting parents through the programme, regular check ins and regular meetings via Microsoft Teams with groups of other parents to share experiences and embed the learning

How can I find out more? Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at: 

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

Triple P baby is for parents who are about to or have recently had a new baby to help you prepare for and adjust to parenting a new-born.

What are the aims:

Positively nurture your baby’s development and a close relationship right from the start - this toolkit of tips and ideas really works!

You choose what works for you - adapt to suit your baby, your family, your values

Be confident about responding to your baby and meeting their needs, and having options if there are challenges (e.g., with crying or sleeping patterns)

Learn how to manage your emotions and communicate more effectively with your partner about parenting

What the sessions include:

7 Modules:

  1. Introduction -Take a positive parenting approach right from the beginning. Build a strong and secure relationship with your baby, for the best start in life as their brain and body grow rapidly. Learn how everyday interactions with your infant make a difference
  2. Understanding your Baby’s Development- Find out more about what influences a baby’s development and what you can do to create positive learning opportunities each day. Discover how to avoid common unhelpful beliefs about parenting. Learn different ways to keep track of your baby’s activities and progress.
  3. Promoting your Baby’s Development- Learn how to build a positive relationship with your baby, tune into their signals and the importance of affection. Find out more about encouraging new skills, including flexible routines.
  4. Responding to your Baby- Understand more about how babies communicate, how to encourage contentment and what to expect when it comes to crying. There’s also a variety of ways to soothe and settle babies, as well as strategies to promote positive sleeping habits.
  5. Survival Skills- Discover the common emotional ‘traps’ that new parents can experience. Learn about coping strategies to manage uncomfortable emotions (eg. Stress, anxiety, sadness) and build your emotional wellbeing toolkit.
  6. Partner Support – learn more about relationship changes most new parents experience, and ways to avoid communication challenges. Help maintain a positive environment with tips on partner communication and maintaining relationship happiness
  7. Reviewing and maintaining progress- What’s going well? What can you continue to work on? There are tips on maintaining positive changes, as you continue to care for your baby and help them grow and develop while also looking after yourself

How is it delivered?

Parents to complete at their own pace and at a time that suits them with the addition of wrap around support from the parenting team, supporting parents through the programme, regular check ins and regular meetings via Microsoft Teams with groups of other parents to share experiences and embed the learning

How can I find out more? Tel: 01484 456823

Further programme information is available from the programme developers at: 

Triple P (opens link in new window)

Who is it for?

 Triple P Stepping Stones is designed for parents of children with developmental disabilities or special/additional needs (up to 12 years). Programme content is indicated for children with special needs who have co-occurring challenging behaviour.

What are the aims?

 

Aiming to support parents help their child with a disability develop key life skills

  • Support your child’s strengths and their development, including independence and self-care
  • As a parent know how to address behaviours and support wellbeing
  • Learn strategies to make everyday life easier, like daily routines, communication, mealtimes and outings
  • Build your child’s social skills to grow relationships at home and in the community
  • Be more confident in your role as a parent and feel less stressed

What the sessions cover:

Module 1: An introduction to positive parenting and a detailed overview of the seven positive parenting principles for parents of children with developmental disabilities and special/additional needs.

Module 2: Influences on children’s behaviour, with a specific focus on identifying functions of challenging behaviour. Parents are introduced to methods to keep track of behaviour change and progress over time.

Module 3: Parents are introduced to a range of strategies for developing good communication and incorporating alternative/augmentative communication systems if needed, including visual schedules, and using a wide range of social and/or tangible rewards which can be faded out as children learn new skills.

 Module 4: Parents are prompted to consider child development skills they want to focus on relating to communication and cooperation; becoming independent; solving problems; and managing emotions and behaviour/ actions.

Module 5. The focus is on setting up environments to promote learning and prevent problems, using the least intrusive methods that will work.

 Module 6: Parents learn how to back up clear calm instructions with consequences, and graded calming-down routines, using least intrusive methods, focusing on promoting development and self-regulation.

Module 7: Parents consider strategies to put into a plan to teach their child to play independently. Secondly, they consider a routine for encouraging children to follow instructions. And thirdly, parents develop a specific routine for when children do not follow instructions.

 Module 8: Parents are introduced to Planned Activities Training and the steps to develop a parenting routine to focus on high-risk situations and how to apply this in the context of setting up a routines to assist children in their daily life.

Module 9: In this module, parents are prompted to develop their own plan to change a behaviour that concerns them.

Module 10: Ways to keep up the changes made, providing parents with an opportunity to review their progress and come up with a plan for future high-risk situations.

 

There are also some courses available to access, run by our partners, that you can self-refer to by contacting the organisations directly. 

Courses available for families where there is a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Who is it for?

A support programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 years, diagnosed with an autistic spectrum condition. Parents of children on the autistic spectrum face the usual positive and difficult challenges of parenting and quite a few more. The whole family must be resident with Kirklees boundaries to access the programme due to licensing restrictions.

Attending Cygnet gives parents and carers an opportunity to develop their understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to support their child. It also provides the opportunity to meet other people in a similar position and hear about their experiences in an informal but supportive atmosphere.

Aims of programme

• Increased knowledge of Autism.
• Further, understand your child’s perspective and view on the world.
• Develop a practical toolkit that can be beneficial to your child.
• Direct you to relevant support and resources, locally and nationally
• Provide the opportunity to meet other parents and create a support network.
• Provide the opportunity to explore specific topics e.g. supporting siblings; Puberty, sexual wellbeing and relationships.

What the sessions cover

• Introductory session
• Autism an overview
• Sensory needs
• Communication
• Understanding behaviour
• Supporting behaviour
• Recap and additional topics covered as required and outlined above.

How is it delivered?

3 hr sessions over 7 weeks
2 facilitators per group
Can be delivered as a face to face group or as virtual sessions
Parents access to this programme –
When parents/carers receive an ASD diagnosis for their child, they receive an information pack which
includes how to refer themselves onto the Cygnet programme.

To self refer please use the link below or contact

01484 456823

Mental health support for children and young people | Kirklees Council (opens link in a new window)

Below are more online courses/webinars and information around different subject matters

The Spark - Talking to your young person (opens link in new window)

Family Lives

Parents Together Online Parenting Course 0-11 years (opens link in new window)  

Kirklees Togetherness

Kirklees 0-19 Service gives families free access to Togetherness resources to support wellbeing. For parents, carers, grandparents, and young people.

Learn from NHS clinical psychologists, practitioners, and other parents. The pathways will help you and your family understand and manage emotions everyday life.

Kirklees | Togetherness - Togetherness (opens in a new window)

Witherslack Group have a range of different webinars, information packs and resources that are practical, evidenced based and are designed to provide real-world solutions for the challenges you and your family face.

The essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS, giving new dads the knowledge and practical skills needed to support you and your partner to give your baby the best possible start in life

The Dad Pad (opens link in new window)

Previous Carers assessment and eligibility for support 
en-GB
Last updated: 05/05/2026