|
What is Mellow Parenting?
Mellow Parenting is a programme
designed to support families with
relationship problems with their
child .The child must be under the
age of 5 years old. It combines
personal support for the parents
with video and direct work with
parents on their parenting problems.
It has proved effective in
recruiting and engaging parents who
have severe problems. The problems
often stretch back to their own
childhood and their experience of
being parented.
Who would benefit from the
programme?
Mellow Parenting is particularly
aimed at parents who:
-
have a least one child under
five
-
experience difficulties
parenting their child/children
-
have a poor parent/child
relationship
-
have a child on the child
protection register
-
have mental health problems
-
experience child behavioural
problems
-
parents who have difficulties
with current family
relationships or with the family
of origin
Where are the groups run?
Groups are normally run in the
Early Years Centres by professional
staff who are trained in Mellow
Parenting. The group care is
organised and run by professional
nursery officers and creche workers.
What format does the programme take?
Prior to the group starting,
individual sessions will take place
within the family home. This will
include a clinical interview and
video taping of the parent and child
interactions (the tape will be used
within the group).
The programme runs for 16 weeks, one
day a week. Transport and lunch will
be provided.
The course involves:
-
intensive group work sessions
for the parent, looking at their
own personal issues, this will
also include how they were
parented as a child.
-
stimulating group sessions for
the children in a structured
Family Centre environment.
-
activity sessions for the parent
and child together. This is
where the parents can try out
their new parenting skills with
support from professional staff.
-
lunch - parents and children eat
together, again there is support
from professional staff to help
parents with any behavioural
issues.
-
course sessions for parents
focusing on parenting issues
(the video tapes will be used
during this session).
-
Homework! Tasks to try out at
home.
How can I access a Mellow
Parenting group?
Contact Sure Start - 01506
775836 or
surestart@westlothian.gov.uk
|
