A programme designed to strengthen families
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) is a parenting programme designed to support you to raise happy and successful children. Achieved through accessing the information and strategies for bringing up your children, managing your relationships, meeting with other parents and making sure your voice is heard.Â
This programme can be accessed through either an introductory six-week online course, or by our 13-week in-person course.
Six-week online course
An introduction to the SFSC course which consists of:
- Six online self-study sessions, one released each week that you complete in your own time
- Six online group discussions with one of our course facilitators that takes place at the same day and time each week
Whilst SFSC is for all parents and carers, for the following groups, you may find our 13-week in-person course a better fit.
- Parents and carers with limited English literacyÂ
- Parents and carers with some learning difficulties
The course is available for three different age groups: parents of 0-6 year olds, parents of 7-11 year olds and parents of 12-18 year olds.
For the second part of the course, you will be joined by a small group of parents for a group discussion via Zoom. Led by one of our facilitators, your group will consist of up to 12 parents who are at the exact same stage of the course as you.Â
Your facilitator will ensure that everyone abides by the set of pre-agreed rules and will support you to contribute as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. You will also be able to contact your facilitator privately if you would like to disclose something you do not feel comfortable sharing in front of the group
The course lasts for six-weeks.
You will need to have access to a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone with a working microphone and camera for group discussions and access to the internet.
This course consist of:Â
- Six online self-study sessions, one released each week that you complete in your own time
- Six online group discussions with one of our course facilitators that takes place at the same time each week
When a parent registers, they are able to tailor their online modules; the self-study modules are made up of parent videos, games and quizzes with no writing required. Each module can be accessed at any time and completed in one or multiple sittings, and take around 40 minutes to complete.
The second part of our course is a group discussion via Zoom, led by one of our facilitators, these discussions take place once a week and last an hour.
SFSC will help you to consider these important parenting questions:
- How can I motivate my child to complete important tasks?
- How do I build a better relationship with my child?
- How do I understand the developmental stages of children?
- How do I put boundaries in place with my child?
- What other services are available in my community that can help?
The programme will provide:
- A safe space to share your views and be listened to
- An opportunity to get information and ideas to help with decisions about bringing up your children
- New skills, and support in developing your confidence
connections with the wider communities and services in your area.
The online programme cost £150.00, however, depending on your local authority or the local authority of your child’s school, we do have funded places. To find out whether you qualify for a free place, please contact sfscparent@racefound.org.uk
13-week full course
The full SFSC course is delivered across 13-weeks in-person within a group setting; this programme is accredited by the Open College Network. Meaning, you can gain credits for taking part in the programme, which you can use for job applications or if you want to return to education.
SFSC is for all parents and carers and is delivered in all communities with participants coming from a variety of backgrounds, such as:
- Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Foster carers and Teen parents
- Parents from different ethnic minority communities and faith backgrounds
- Parents who speak different languages
- Parents with disabilities or learning difficulties
- Individuals with very different qualifications and jobs
- People like you!
SFSC is a group-based programme comprised of 8-12 other parents and carers; it is run by two facilitators.
The course lasts for 13-weeks, consisting of weekly three-hour sessions; each week, you will be given activities to complete at home which will support these weekly sessions.
Many groups will also provide refreshments, childcare and transport to make the sessions easier to attend free of charge.
Get involved! Whilst the facilitators will provide the information and techniques to help you, this programme works best when everyone takes part and fully engages.Â
SFSC will help you reflect on your own experiences, and how your culture and family background has shaped your parenting styles.
SFSC will help you to answer these important parenting questions:
- How can I motivate my child to try their best at school?
- How do I build a better relationship with my child?
- How do I stop my teenager getting involved in drinking, drugs, antisocial behaviour or truanting?
- How do I encourage my partner to participate in my child’s life?
- How do I put boundaries in place with my child?
- What youth and parent services are available in my community?
The programme will provide:
- A safe space to share your views and be listened to
- An opportunity to get information and ideas to help with decisions about bringing up your children
- New skills, and support in developing your confidence
connections with the wider communities and services in your area.
The classes were excellent. The facilitators ensured that everyone was included. They listened to, respected and valued each person. The sessions were always varied, well-paced and interesting. I would recommend this class for every parent.