Parenting and Healthy Relationship Support

We know that supporting parents means better outcomes for children - that’s why we offer a range of parenting and healthy relationship programmes to support all families across Halton.

Our evidence based programmes support parents and carers to become more confident in their parenting role, overcome challenges and have strengthened relationships with their children. We also offer support to families who are experiencing conflict within their parenting relationships as well as an accredited programme to support individuals who have experienced domestic abuse. Our programmes are free to all parents and carers who live in Halton.

To discuss any of our programmes or find out more, please email parenting@halton.gov.uk or call 0151 511 6757

Solihull Approach Online:

Halton Borough Council has partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to expertly designed online courses for parents, carers, grandparents and teens living in the Borough.

Sign up to understand your child’s feelings, as well as your own, as you go through life as a family. Learn to understand the changes in your child’s development and how to support them, whilst also strengthening your relationship. The online programmes are evidence based and contain the same content as the Solihull Approach face to face groups. This resource is available in over 100 different languages and can be accessed anywhere, any time.

To register simply go to: www.inourplace.co.uk/halton and enter our access code: TOGETHER

Welcome to the World Programme

Welcome to the World is an evidence based Ante Natal programme for expectant parents that is focused around the importance of bonding, attachment, emotional wellbeing, brain development and building relationships. Available from around 22 weeks of pregnancy, the eight sessions are a relaxed way for parents to think about the transition to parenthood and discuss issues that can be a challenge for every new mother and father or partner. It provides an opportunity for parents to think about their future as parents, a couple and as a family and increases parents' understanding of their own emotional health and the need to nurture themselves to provide the best opportunities for their baby to grow and flourish.

Topics include;

Understanding your baby – a baby’s brain development
Your future as parents and as a family
Your roots, traditions, hopes and fears for the future
Breastfeeding and the practical tasks of caring for a new baby
The need to nurture ourselves

Welcome to the World Programme referral form »

The Nurturing Programme:

Having children can be rewarding and fun, but looking after them can be stressful and challenging. The Nurturing Programme helps deal with those challenges so that you can have a calmer, happier life.

A tried and tested, evidence based programme, it helps us think about what we do, why we do it and how it makes us feel.

The 10 week programme runs for 2 hours a week and looks at lots of different topics, including:

Understanding why children behave as they do
Recognising the feelings behind behaviour (ours and theirs)
Exploring different approaches to discipline
Finding ways to develop co-operation and self-discipline in children
Learning the importance of looking after ourselves

Talking Teens Programme:

This programme is based on the same principles of the Nurturing Programme and is aimed at parents and carers of children aged 11+. This 4 week programme runs for 2 hours per week and covers the following:

Week 1: Being a parent of a teenager; the role of parents for teenagers; Responding to difficult feelings

Week 2: Understanding your teenager; Understanding teenage development; Parenting styles; Praise and criticism

Week 3: Communicating with your teenager; Talking and listening; Communicating clearly; Handling difficult issues

Week 4: Managing conflict; Rules and boundaries; choosing how to respond; Problem solving

Nurture and Talking Teens referral form »

The Gateway Programme

The Gateway Programme provides a safe space for parents who have experienced domestic abuse to understand the dynamics of controlling and abusive relationships and encourage safer and informed choices for the future. The programme is delivered over seven weekly two-hour sessions in a group setting to enable individuals to share and link experiences, be respected, believed and find they are not alone The programme does not and cannot replace specialist support for those in high-risk situations. Separate groups can be held for men and women if required. Sessions are as follows;

Session 1 - Attitudes and Beliefs

Gateway Session Guidelines are developed to alleviate participant concerns, establish safe boundaries and confidentiality obligations. Fictional characters are created as a learning tool to safeguard personal privacy. A quiz promotes awareness of the prevalence of controlling, abusive relationships, reduces feelings of isolation, and provides support options. Session 1 explores how attitudes/beliefs influence individual and societal behaviour choices.

Session 2 - Myths and Facts

Myths about control and abuse in relationships are discussed. Fictional characters are used to enhance understanding of how individual and societal beliefs can drive behaviour and often support the use of control and abuse within relationships. Session 2 aims to create a shift away from justification, minimisation, or denial of controlling and abusive behaviour in relationships.

Session 3 - Cycle of Control

Fictional characters provide a safe learning environment in which to discuss various forms of abuse and relationship control tactics. This session focuses where the responsibility for abusive behaviour lies and the impact of control and abuse on a person's health, behaviour, emotions, and beliefs. The characteristics of a respectful relationship are also explored.

Session 4 - Parenting and Children

The basic needs of children are discussed before considering how a controlling and abusive relationship can affect parenting abilities. The impact of abuse and control on children's health, emotions, behaviour, and beliefs are explored using fictional children. Participants consider national/local support services and resources to support children.

Session 5 - Why is it hard to leave and safety planning?

This session explores the complex barriers and beliefs that can make it difficult to 'just' leave a controlling, abusive relationship. A case study supports the development of individual safety plans to manage risk in a range of contexts, including staying in a relationship, leaving a relationship but remaining in the same house/town, moving away from an area, and long-term safety. National/local support services, resources, and current legal remedies are considered.

Session 6 - Towards Change – Warning Signs

Early warning signs are discussed with a focus on how easily they can be misinterpreted during the initial stages of a new relationship. Safety planning to end a new relationship safely is revisited. Positive and negative coping strategies used by those who leave abusive relationships are explored while participants are supported to acknowledge existing individual strengths. National/local support services/resources are provided for next steps progression.

Session 7 - Moving Forward

This session serves as a review of all Gateway sessions. Individuals and groups reflect on as well as provide feedback on the impact of Gateway Programme participation. Individual or group feedback artwork is created and presented, and Gateway Programme certificates are issued if participants are safe to take them home.

Gateway Programme referral form »