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Is it free where I live? Check your postcode

Many local councils pay for the online courses. Check yours now, without registering.

Common questions

Course content

How do I access my individual self-study sessions or find the Zoom link for my discussion group?

Sign in with your email address: we send you a code, so there is no password to remember. Your page shows each module and your group's join link.

The join link is also in your confirmation email and in the reminder before each session.

I have finished a self-study session, but I am unable to progress to the next session

Each module opens on its day, whether or not you have finished the one before, and once open it stays open.

If a module will not open, or stops part way, ask us and we will help.

About Strengthening Families

Is this right for me?

SFSC is for all parents and carers, but if you are in one of these groups, our 13-week in-person course may suit you better:

  • Parents and carers with limited English literacy
  • Parents and carers with some learning difficulties

There is a course for each of three age groups: children aged 0 to 6, 7 to 11 and 12 to 18.

What will SFSC give me?

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 and
    connections with the wider communities and services in your area.
What does it cost?

The online course is free where your local council pays for it. Otherwise it costs the price shown on this page. When you register, your postcode tells you which before you pay anything.

Should I do the in-person or the online SFSC course?

The full SFSC course is delivered in person over 13 weeks, in a group; this programme is accredited by the Open College Network. This means 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. This programme consists of three-hour in-person weekly sessions, and because of the length has more content than the online course. Groups have 8 to 12 parents and carers, run by two facilitators, with activities to do at home between sessions, and many groups provide refreshments, childcare and transport free of charge.

Our six-week programme is entirely online and consists of one-hour weekly group sessions and self-studies. If you would like an introduction to parenting strategies, have previously attended the in-person 13-week programme and would like a refresher or if you struggle to attend face-to-face sessions, the online programme is for you.

My children are in more than one age group. What should I do?

Please select the age group of the child you are the most interested in receiving information about; you will receive a digital manual which provides information on all the developmental stages. You will also receive support from your group facilitator, who will be able to answer any specific questions you may have.

I find English difficult to read. Will I be able to do the online course?

Whilst the self-study element of our online course is written in plain English, you may find our 13-week in-person course easier to take part in.

Is your online course available in other languages?

Whilst the self-study element of our online course is written in plain English, where possible we do deliver the group discussion in other languages, but the languages we can offer are limited.

We are looking to offer more languages. Please contact us if there is a particular language you would like the session to be available in.

About Stronger Relationships

Is this course right for me?

Stronger Relationships is for all parents and carers, but if you are in one of these groups, our 13-week in-person SFSC course may suit you better:

  • Parents and carers with limited English literacy
  • Parents and carers with some learning difficulties

There are two courses: one for parents who live together and one for parents who live apart.

What will the Stronger Relationships programme give me?

Stronger Relationships will provide you with a comprehensive programme aimed at reducing non-violent parental arguments and improving your children’s wellbeing. This programme will offer you valuable knowledge, tools and support to help you navigate co-parenting challenges, helping you to develop healthier relationships with your co-parent.

Both you and your co-parent will benefit from the programme in several ways:

  • You will gain a deeper understanding of the factors which influence your behaviour and the triggers which contribute to arguments
  • You will learn effective communication techniques and strategies to reduce conflict, improve cooperation and promote a positive co-parenting relationship
  • It will help reduce stress and tension
  • It will give you a supportive group where you can share your experiences, get guidance, and connect with other parents and carers who are facing similar challenges
Is this course available in person?

Yes! Some of the places that run our 13-week in-person SFSC course also run this one.

What will the Stronger Relationships programme give to my child?

Your child will benefit significantly from your participation in the Stronger Relationships programme. The programme aims to minimise the negative impact of parental conflict on your child’s development and overall wellbeing.

By reducing conflict and improving communication with your co-parent, you will create a more stable and nurturing environment for your child. This can lead to improved emotional and psychological outcomes, better academic performance, and healthier relationships with both parents.

The programme will also provide you with the support and guidance needed at each developmental stage of your child.

What does the programme cost?

The online course is free where your local council pays for it. Otherwise it costs the price shown on this page. When you register, your postcode tells you which before you pay anything.

I want to attend this course, but my co-parent does not. What can I do?

Ideally both co-parents should attend the course, as this course is about communication and working together for the benefit of your children. We would be happy to send your co-parent any information and answer any questions: please contact us.

I am a single parent, will I be able to attend this course?

This course has been designed for co-parents, extended family members and blended families, regardless of whether you live together or separately. There will be communication techniques which you can use with other adults who may support you in the care of your child, such as grandparents, aunties, teachers and friends. This course will give you parenting techniques which will help you to communicate with your children as they grow.

Who should attend this course?

Anyone who is a main carer for a child, for example a step-parent or a grandparent.

My co-parent and I have been through the family courts because we cannot agree on our child’s arrangements. Is this course suitable for us?

Yes! This course has been developed to support families who cannot agree on their child’s arrangements. It is a good place to start instead of going to the family courts, and it can support you before, during and after a case.

There was domestic violence (including coercive control) in my relationship with my co-parent. Is this course suitable for me or my co-parent?

Probably not. If, as the victim, you believe it was a one-off incident in the past and you are not afraid of your co-parent, we may be able to work with you on the course after speaking to you both before it starts. Please contact us.

About both courses

Who will be there?

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 same stage of the course as you.

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.

How long is the course?

The course lasts six weeks.

What do I have to do?

Sign up! You will need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone with a working microphone and camera for the group discussions, and access to the internet.

The course is made up of:

  • Six online modules that you work through in your own time
  • Six online group discussions with one of our facilitators, on the same day and at the same time each week

The modules are made up of videos, games and quizzes, with no writing needed. You can open a module at any time and finish it in one sitting or several; each takes around 40 minutes.

The group discussions are on Zoom, led by one of our facilitators. They take place once a week and last an hour.

Is it free where I live?

It depends on your local council: many pay for the online courses for families who live in their area. Check your postcode to see straight away, without registering.

If your council does not pay, the course costs the price shown on the course page.

Is there a course near me?

The online courses work from anywhere. You need a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone, and an internet connection; the group meets on Zoom.

The 13-week SFSC course also runs in person in some areas. To find out whether there is one near you, ask us using the form on this page.

Can I do more than one course?

Yes. You can register for more than one course, for example for a second age group, or for Stronger Relationships as well as Strengthening Families. Each course has its own group. If two of your groups would meet at the same time, we tell you when you choose.

I work with families: how can the parents I support register?

Each parent registers themselves, with their own email address. Send them to the course page: the postcode they enter at the start tells them straight away whether the course is free where they live.

If a parent needs help registering, they or you can ask us using the form on this page.

How do I become an SFSC facilitator?

The Race Equality Foundation trains SFSC facilitators and licenses organisations to run the programme. Visit the Race Equality Foundation’s SFSC pages to find out more.

Do groups run during the school holidays?

Yes. Groups keep meeting through the school holidays, so your six weeks run without a break.

If most of the parents in a group would rather not meet in a holiday week, the group can agree to postpone that session. Your facilitator talks it through with the group, and we let everyone know the new date.

Ask us

Ask us anything about the courses, or tell us what is wrong.

The one you registered with, if you have registered.

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About the courses
Help with my course

Leave a number and we will call you. We delete it once we have called, and after 30 days at the latest.

Other ways to reach us

Commissioners, practitioners, SFSC facilitators and the press: visit the Race Equality Foundation’s SFSC pages.