Stronger Relationships

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The course lasts six weeks.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.