happy childhoods bright futures

enabling parents to bring out the best in their children

© the parent practice 68 Thurleigh Road London SW12 8UDt: 0208 673 3444 e: team@theparentpractice.com w: www.theparentpractice.com

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parent practice centres

Clapham

Fulham

Kensington

Putney

Wimbledon

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We know how important children are to their parents. We have been helping parents give their children the gift of a happy childhood and a bright future since the parent practice was established in London in 2004.

There’s no such thing as a perfect parent, but with the right toolkit parents can make family life the happy, nurturing and supportive environment they want. Our team have supported and empowered thousands of parents and carers, drawing on the latest thinking in psychology, our skills, training and our vast experience working with families with children of all ages from toddlers to teens.

We work with parents and carers in small groups in courses or seminars or we work with individuals or couples on a private basis. At schools and nurseries, we work with parents and the teaching staff. In the workplace, we are commissioned by corporate clients to give popular parenting seminars for their employees.

In our train the trainer programmes we train professionals who work with parents and with children to deliver our parenting programmes. Licences for our programmes are available.

Testimonials from attendees in our programmes illustrate how our services transform the lives of parents and children. The parent practice is a strong voice at the forefront of the parenting world. However, our aim is first and foremost to help parents bring up children to be happy and successful adults.

We hope you’ll get in touch.

welcome from the parent practice

some of our top workshops

bringing out the best in your children

how to listen so kids will talk

positive discipline - finding the balance

creating happy learners

staying calm, being positive

fostering harmony between siblings

bringing out the best in boys

raising girls

teens, awkward and awesome - how to bring out the best in them

To find out more call 0208 673 3444 or email team@theparentpractice.com

Liz Nottingham Talent Office and HR Director Starcom Mediavest

I just wanted to say a big thank you to both of you for your work

with us over the last 9 months or so. You have truly transformed the quality of some of our people’s

lives and changed the relationship they have with their children. We have seen the feedback. And there is no price to

be put on this.The parent practice made an important contribution

to our company being awarded a place in The Sunday Times Top 100 companies to work for as we focus on

supporting our parents. So a big thank you.

Zoe, Mum of three

Patricia BeecheyHead TeacherOatlands Primary SchoolWeybridge

The parent practice has delivered two workshops

to our local cluster of schools. Their clear principles, empathy with the

difficulties of parenting and the simple yet effective techniques they suggest have

been wholeheartedly welcomed by our parenting community.

Melissa Hood and Elaine Halligan

I had many breakthroughs from taking

the classes, I feel so much more relaxed now and my children are

much happier.

contents

introduction 3

for parents 4 - 6 courses, seminars,

consultations

for schools and nurseries 7 - 9 courses, seminars

for the workplace 10 - 12 courses, seminars

for professionals 13 - 15 training for trainers

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Attending a parenting class is not an indication of being a ‘bad’ parent - it is testimony to a parent’s commitment to their children and their role as a parent. We often beat ourselves up at the thought that we could do with some help raising our children.

After all, isn’t it meant to be instinctive? In fact parenting has never been down to instinct alone but those things we think are instincts are actually learnt behaviours.

“One of the most discouraging yet common situations to find ourselves in is to believe that our child is uniquely trying or that we are the only ones with the problem.

Being a parent is so much easier when we know what behaviours to expect given our child’s stage of development and how their needs change in childhood.

This knowledge helps us prepare, adapt and stay confident ” says Elizabeth Hartley Brewer author of Talking to Tweenies.

what we doThese classes won’t impose someone else’s beliefs on you but help you understand your child’s temperament, define your own values and give you tools for bringing up your children according to those values.

Our toolkit can be applied to suit any family and gives mums and dads a united front from which to work, making life as a parent both easier and more fulfilling. who attends

mums or dads with children up to age 18

couples with children up to age 18

nannies and foster parents

adults who have significant children in their lives such as grandchildren, godchildren, step children, nieces and nephews

parents of children with special needs

results for parents

improved communication and understanding between parents and children

improved self esteem, confidence, co-operation, independence and resilience

strong, happy and respectful relationships within the family

children interacting constructively with others, willing to try and do their best in nursery and school and in the wider world

all courses

are delivered by trained, experienced facilitators who are also parents

draw on many advanced learning techniques and are supported by written materials

are confidential, fun, interactive, non-judgemental and, most of all, really effective

groups are kept small to allow for individual attention. Typical classes are between 6 and 12

consultations for parents and carers

These courses are in weekly two hour sessions during term times

courses for parents and carers

courses

positive parenting in a nutshell 1 day

encouraging cooperation, confidence and communication

morning

positive discipline afternoon

consultations

face to face or by telephone/Skype

private consultations 60 - 90 minutes

courses

the core skills course 5 weeks fixed start date

the positive parenting course 10 weeks rolling join at any time

for parents - courses

workshops for parents and carers

We offer an extensive and ever expanding range of topic based workshops in our centres. These in depth seminars are 2.5 hours long and are offered as morning or evening sessions. We also host workshops by guest professionals in parenting related areas.

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Bringing schools and parents together equals academic and social success for children which is why our successful parenting seminars are endorsed by schools and nurseries. Our seminars have been developed in conjunction with teachers experienced in early years learning, and draw on child behaviour and developmental research.

what we do

We deliver a range of parenting tools to parents within the familiar environment of the school community. With the strategies learned during the seminars, parents help children grow in confidence and resilience, try new things, persevere, and do well both academically and socially. Parents learn how to support children in academic, artistic and sporting endeavours without pressurising them.

We also offer seminars for school and nursery teachers. Teachers are dedicated, warm and empathetic professionals. However, it can be tiring stimulating a class, caring for children and managing behaviour at the same time as children absorb the learning tasks required of them and learn to interact with others. Teachers often find disciplining children difficult. We deliver techniques that bring out the best in children while ensuring discipline is positive and effective.

who attends

any mum or dad, with children in school or nursery, including parents of children with special needs

teachers who are parents themselves

teaching staff and assistants interested in developing further skills in the classroom

results for schools

shows commitment to teaching staff, parents and children

improves children’s communication, co-operation, respect and social skills

increases children’s focus, motivation and openness to learning

effective problem solving and teaching approaches to discipline

results for teachers

understanding temperament and stages of development in children

additional techniques to motivate and engage children

effective ways of re-directing and responding to challenging behaviour

results for parents and children

normalises parenting issues so that it does not feel like “I am the only one with these challenges” and increases sense of competence and well-being as a parent

lessens guilt, tiredness and stress

enables parents to bring out the best in children at school and creates transformation at home with happier, healthier and more confident children

strengthens parent networks

Christine and Steve, parents of a son and daughter

My husband and I highly recommend the 10 week

parenting course. The information and skills learnt were both

practical and useful and the changes we made to our own behaviour remain with us to this day.

Money and time well spent - 20 hours is a small price to pay for a lifetime of positive

parenting, bringing out the best in your children.

Leo, father of two girls

When we first signed-up for the course I was

curious but also concerned about giving up what felt like so much of my time. In the

event it wasn’t a huge imposition on my time and it was really worthwhile. We had specific issues to tackle and within weeks we found

that things were turning round. After the course I am pretty confident that I am a

better parent and that my kids are happier too.

Your parenting tips still steer our family ship. I don’t always

remember to respond the way I’d like on reflection but It’s like finding a £10 pound

note at the bottom of your handbag... sometimes finding just the right words to smooth through family life. When my children were quite small I had a parent

practice top 10 tips printed out on the inside of our pantry cupboard. I could then whip out some skills

with the cereal and be sure of a good day. I was always amazed by the results! Happy

calm children. Bliss!

Pippa, mother of three children

To find out more call 0208 673 3444 or email team@theparentpractice.com

seminars in schools and nurseries

8 To find out more call 0208 673 3444 or email team@theparentpractice.com

Adrian Floyd, Headmaster Finton House School

I believe the parent practice engages parents in

a world of value and principle-led parenting that can lead to emotional

literacy and healthy relationships for parents and their children. This is such a valuable

thing in a world that has taught some in the past to be more concerned about results,

which so often misses the essence of learning.

Fulham Prep PTA parent

A Blackheath Prep parent

Victoria Irwin, Headmistress, Rolfe’s Nursery School

Thank you very much for presenting such

a wonderful evening at Rolfe’s Nursery School. Your presentation

was fun, informative and has proved a big hit with our parents. I do hope that you will be able to come back

and present another event very soon.

We couldn’t believe how quickly the evening

sold out! Thank you so much, the feedback forms showed it was

an overwhelming ‘yes’ for more talks. Consider the evening a

great success.

It gave me a chance to look at my

parenting from a different perspective and see how I can

be more positive.

seminars for schools and nurseries

schools programme

the primary years

bringing out the best in your children S1

positive discipline, finding the balance S2

how to listen so kids will talk S3

friendships S4

staying calm, being positive S5

fostering harmony between siblings S6

how to talk so children will listen S7

raising confident children S8

helping children cope with life’s knocks S9

developing happy, creative and motivated learners S10

homework: increasing motivation and reducing stress S11

bringing out the best in boys S12

raising girls S13

why can’t you buy me one? S14

the teenage years

preparing for the teenage years T1

communicating with adolescents T2

boundaries T3

the nursery years

bringing out the best in young children N1

getting children to follow instructions N2

moving away from the naughty step - positive discipline for the under 5s

N3

dealing with toddler tantrums N4

helping children prepare for the transition to ‘big’ school

N5

bringing out the best in little boys N6Seminars are 90 minutes. Group size may be between 20 and 100. This is not a complete list of seminar titles, we develop new topics all the time. The parent practice can offer nursery staff two half day training seminars. Please get in touch if you have a specific workshop in mind.

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Success at home equals success at work which is why we’ve been supporting companies with parent employees for several years. We work with many of the UK’s top companies by giving seminars in the convenience of the workplace to working parents at all stages in their careers.

what we do

Through our skills based seminar programme and our topic based talks, we equip parents to do the best job that they can at home. With the knowledge and interaction gained during the seminars home life becomes calmer and happier as parents apply the skills learned. Parents feel less guilt, tiredness and stress and bring a better self to work.

Seminars are innovative for the workplace, an opportunity for employers to take the lead, acknowledging that home life and work life are intertwined and that success at home influences success at work. Employees feel understood and build up support networks at work. Seminars combine presentation, discussion, insight, tools and tips.

who attends

any working mum or dad, with children aged up to 18

other adults who have significant children in their lives such as grandchildren, godchildren, step children, nieces and nephews

parents of children with special needs

partners, spouses, of employees or their carers

clients and business partners visiting the workplace

results for employers

shows commitment to working parents, marking employers out as employers of choice (past clients have won awards such as Top Employers for Working Families, Mumsnet Family Friendly Awards and other ‘best companies to work for’ lists)

increases work focus, engagement and retention

develops new motivational and communication skills for use in the workplace as well as at home

lowers absenteeism

improves team cohesion and empathy

group format makes this a cost effective way to deliver support to parents

results for working parents

helps working parents feel supported and understood

normalises parenting issues so that it does not feel like “I am the only one with these challenges”

increases sense of competence and well-being as an employee and as a parent

lessens guilt, tiredness and stress and enables parents to make the most effective use of limited time with children

empowers working parents facing the challenges of bringing up children to deliver their best at work

creates transformation at home with happier, healthier and more confident children

seminars in the workplace

seminars in the workplace

seminar series programme programme

bringing out the best in your children W1

positive discipline: finding the balance W2

how to listen so kids will talk W3

what to do when your kids push your buttons W4

family values in the 21st century W5

fostering harmony between siblings W6

further seminars programme

why can’t you buy me one – bringing up children in a material world W7

fostering self esteem and resilience in children W8

dealing with toddler tantrums W9

communicating with your teenager W10

teenagers and boundaries W11

dealing with change, uncertainty and bad news W12

friendships W13

staying calm: being positive W14

preparing children for starting school W15

helping children with the transition to secondary school W16

how to talk so kids will listen W17

homework: making it stress free and motivating your child W18

A typical seminar series programme is 6 seminars over 12 months. The seminar series is designed to provide a full complement of parenting skills within one programme. Seminars range from 90 minutes – 150 minutes.

These talks are 60 minutes and often scheduled over breakfast meetings, lunch times, early evenings or at events.

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The need for parenting training for professionals has grown so much over the past few years that we developed a certificated train the trainer course. We’ve been training many of the UK’s parenting professionals for the past five years.

what we do

Our intensive 5 session training programme trains trainers who want to add facilitation skills and parenting programmes to an existing professional repertoire. You may already be involved in work with families for which this training would provide a valuable contribution.

Trainees learn the skills and strategies taught on our core skills course at an advanced level and will also be trained in specific facilitation skills, including accelerated learning techniques, non-verbal communications skills and group mastery techniques.

This is a certificated course. Satisfactory completion is by attendance, short written assignments and a brief practical presentation.

Licences to deliver the parent practice programmes are available for those who are interested in running parenting programmes upon successful completion of the training for trainers programme.

Successful applicants may designate themselves ‘parent practice certified educators’.

Business support is also available.

who attends

professionals from the private sector and the public sector who work with children, teenagers and families

professionals who want to add parenting facilitation skills to a cv

professionals who want to refresh and extend parenting skills

professionals who want to move into running parenting programmes

results for trainers

deepen and broaden knowledge of positive parenting skills and strategies, current issues and thinking about parenting, children’s temperament and behaviour

develop understanding of, and ability to influence, group dynamics

develop presentation and accelerated learning skills, time management, facilitating each attendee’s learning - being aware of different learning styles and responding to them accordingly

results for employers

increases employee knowledge and skills for use at work

develops motivational and communication skills for use in the workplace

improves empathy

shows commitment to the development of staff’s personal and professional knowledge and skills

group format makes this a cost effective way to finance continuing professional and personal development

training for trainers

Darren Thomas Client Services Director Leo Burnett

I’ve just attended one of the parent practice sessions

and wanted to say what a truly wonderful thing it was. Not just in terms of the commitment

that the Group is showing to the mothers and fathers who work in its various offices, but also for the course itself. Nothing is more important to me than my family

and the things I have learned today, and look forward to learning in the coming sessions. This will be of more value to me than probably any other form of training I have ever

done. However, I left this morning feeling empowered, enlightened and genuinely optimistic about things.

I wonder how many training courses can lay claim to affecting behaviour

quite so dramatically.

Linda SmithExecutive ChairwomanRadio Advertising Bureau

Trying to juggle a full-time role with children is

tough and can sometimes become an impossibility, so to have advice, insight

and support from professional practitioners can only be helpful and at times a lifeline.

By redirecting your energies into your daily job a commercial output to

employers will definitely be delivered.

You gave an excellent presentation providing the most

practical tips for dealing with tricky situations parents find themselves in and dealt admirably

with specific issues that affect all working parents. Skillfully stimulated discussion between parents of

children of all ages. As a partner in the family department of a city

law firm I regularly refer clients to the parent practice.

Charlotte Bradley, Partner at Kingsley Napley solicitor and co Chair of Association of Working Parents

some companies we’ve worked with:

CAPITAL ONECITIGROUP

DEUTSCHE BANKFRESHFIELDSLEO BURNETT

MERRILL LYNCHPWC

STARCOM MEDIAVESTSTATE STREET

UBS

To find out more call 0208 673 3444 or email team@theparentpractice.com

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training for trainers

programme

training for trainers (extended) 5 weeks

training for trainers (intensive) 5 days

Group size may be between 5 and 15 or larger groups may be possible within one organisation.

No previous experience of our work is required to take this training, although if you have already taken one of our courses this will offer you the opportunity to take your understanding and skills to a profoundly deeper level.

becoming a licensee

After passing the course, you may become a parent practice certified educator, licensed to teach the parent practice methodology and to use the parent practice materials for either the 5 week core skills course or the 10 week positive parenting course.

Licensees are provided with facilitator’s notes and all supporting materials for the classes, as well as notes which accompany the classes for attendees.

Licences are subject to geographical limitations to ensure that licensees are able to practice in a viable business area with no other licences being granted for the same area.

Licensees are unable to trade as ‘the parent practice’ but trade under their own business name.

Licence arrangements offer different levels of ongoing business, admin and training support.

We offer promotional help to our licensees, and we place links to our licensees’ websites on the parent practice website.

To find out more call 0208 673 3444 or email team@theparentpractice.com

Natasha, parent and prospective parenting facilitator

The course has been without doubt the best course I have

ever attended!! It has been huge. For so long I knew how I wanted to be but not how to do it. I now

have the techniques to deal with situations. That is an immense difference. The knowledge and confidence I now

have has put me back in control and the house can stay a fun place but with rules and boundaries firmly in place so that

it reflects our family values. My intention is to become confident and familiar with the techniques in my own

family and to continue to expand my knowledge and then I’d like to go out and give others

the same techniques.

Anne, Parenting Consultant and hypnotherapist

Serena, Nursery worker and Nanny

Sam, Outreach worker, Children and Family Centre

Since attending your course I have become

more aware of my own practice as a parent and as a professional but also the great strategies I am able to put in to practice and pass on to the families

I work with. Thank you again for the great teaching

and support.What a wonderful

course and fantastic experience. I am feeling so

much more confident in how I can support parents because of the

tools you have given me over the last 5 weeks.

I want to thank you again for 5 amazing weeks

which, apart from refreshing all the wonderful techniques and

learning new facilitation skills, made me realise once again that this is

the kind of work I’d love to be doing.