The Parenting Team organises and co-ordinates a range of parenting programmes, to offer support to families in the Dudley borough.
The parenting programmes provide a wide range of services for families, to address a variety of needs. A family may access advice or information, online support or those who require more guidance may attend intensive group support.
Our vision is for every parent & carer, in the Dudley borough to access evidence based parenting advice and support at the level they need, setting up their child for success.
One of the main parenting programmes on offer is Triple P, which is a multi-level system.
Changes to the parenting service due to COVID-19
We’ve had to make some changes to our service, but we’re still here to offer support and advice to parents.
The main changes we’re making are:
Currently there is no direct contact with families. Direct work with families is now happening remotely through telephone, email, WhatsApp and Video conference.
Parents/carers can now complete Triple P Group, Group TEEN, group stepping stones (for parents of a child with a disability) or the Triple P Transitions programme with a support practitioner via weekly TEAMS meetings. The meetings are accessed via referral or email parenting@dudley.gov.uk to discuss.
The parenting team will continue supporting parents in the following ways:
Parents can complete Triple P online using their mobiles or laptops.
We can provide additional telephone support with modules or strategies if parents require.
Parents can also access the Triple P online programme and we will be available to offer additional telephone support with the Stepping Stones resources.
We aim to be flexible in our approach and offer consultations via telephone, WhatsApp, email or video conferencing, whichever way a parent feels comfortable. This support is also available to practitioners and those who were facilitating Triple P groups.
Triple P Transitions is a new (to Dudley) 5 session programme for parents who have separated/divorced from the other parent of their child/ren and would like help with stress, communication and managing the challenges that this can bring to their family.
Many people are feeling stressed and uncertain, not only about what’s happening right now but what the next few months will look like. There are practical steps you can take, and specific parenting tips and strategies to help you and your kids stay calm and optimistic.
A new module has been added to the online programme – parenting during COVID-19
A free parenting guide has been created by internationally recognised parenting experts Professor Matt Sanders, Dr Vanessa Cobham and Dr Claire Halsey from the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program®.
It provides tips and strategies to help parents understand how the current crisis may affect the way their children behave, their own emotions as parents and ways to apply Triple P strategies during current circumstances to develop emotional.
Tips include how to be a positive parent while managing financial stress, home-schooling, working from home, as well as helping your child cope with their feelings and stay emotionally resilient.
For more information or support, please contact the parenting team:
The above resources are available in both Triple P Online 2-10 years and in TEEN Triple P Online for parents of 11-16 year olds.
What is Triple P parenting programme?
Triple P is a parenting programme that does not tell you what to do or how to be a parent. It is more like a toolbox of ideas, where you choose the strategies you need and the way you want to use them. It is all about making Triple P work for you.
Parenting programmes are here for all parents and those with caring responsibilities who are experiencing difficulties or concerns with parenting. Some of these courses vary in intensity, and cover specific and broad areas of parenting.
The Solihull approach
The online Solihull approach courses cover from conception up to 19 years:
the antenatal course - Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby
What are the different parenting programmes that I can access in Dudley?
Triple P Online (TPOL) is a self-directed parenting course that is accessed via a smartphone, tablet or computer with internet access, you will need a code to access the course.
Triple P Online helps parents with children aged 2–10 years. There is also TEEN Triple P Online 11-16 years.
The programme helps children to:
set their own goals,
become confident in their ability to manage parenting issues
become self-sufficient problem solvers
How can I access an online code?
Please register atDudley Parents websiteto get your free online Triple P-code. To be eligible you must have at leastoneof the following:
Dudley postcode
Dudley school
Dudley GP
Seminars give a broad range of parenting tips around home, school and the community. These are usually delivered to large groups in schools and are either:
A series of 3 two-hour seminars that give a broad overview of positive parenting
A series for 2-11 years
A series for 11-16 years
Speak to your child’s school to see if any seminars are available.
If you are concerned with your child’s behaviour or emotional well-being, one of the team can talk you through our tip sheets, to help you understand and improve the behaviour.
These are one or two short consultations to address a specific behaviour problem or parenting difficulty.
These are for any parents who are struggling or need support with a particular topic. They are a series of two-hour one off workshops,that cover a specific topic. You can attend any or all of the sessions that interest you.
0 -11 years topics:
Fighting & aggression
Bedtime routines
Hassle-free shopping
Disobedience
11 – 16 years topics:
Reducing family conflict
Getting teenagers to cooperate
Coping with teenagers’ emotions
Building teenagers’ survival skills
Sessions accessible via referral only and reserved for parents with more intensive needs
A broad-based parenting intervention delivered over eight weeks for parents of children up to 11-years and the Teen programme for parents of children 11 – 16 years.
This programme involves 5, 2 hour group sessions of up to 12 delegates
There are 3, 15 to 30 minute individual (telephone) consultations to assist parents with independent problem solving while they are practising the skills at home.
Parents actively participate in a range of exercises to learn about:
The causes of child behaviour problems,
Setting specific goals,
Using strategies to promote child development,
Developing a positive relationship
Manage misbehaviour,
Plan for high-risk situations.
Final session review
Parents complete a behavioural and family assessment before and after the group sessions.
For parents of a child with a disability and not in mainstream school.
Stepping Stones is for parents with children with a range of disabilities, eg. Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy and extreme levels of disruptive behaviour.
The programme involves 6, 2 and half hour group sessions that educate and actively train skills.
There are 3, 15 to 30 minute individual telephone consultations to assist parents to refine the use of their parenting skills and to develop independent problem solving skills.
Parents complete a behavioural and family assessment before and after the group sessions.
How long do the groups last?
Group and Group Teen last 8 weeks
Stepping Stones group last 9/10 weeks
The above programmes are reserved for parents who are experiencing extreme difficulties. Referrals must be made for these programmes via the Early Help assessment or GP practices.