Building Relationships for Stronger Families - Parenting and relationship support, free across London and the Northern Home Counties*

‘Building Relationships for Better Families’ programme is a Departement of Work and Pensions funded programme. It may be able to help you if you feel that stress and conflict in your relationship is affecting your family.

The programme offers parents support, via a helpful course of support selected to suit their circumstances to address conflict within their relationship as well as strengthening your parenting skills to bring up your children.

What is it all about?

Being a parent is tough.

Being a parent when your relationship with your partner or ex-partner isn’t going well is even tougher.

There are times when we are all under stress but whilst conflict is part of normal family life, sometimes it can become destructive and get in the way of managing everyday life.

Conflict between couples might include lack of warmth or emotional connection or shouting and swearing at each other. Often it can be frequent, intense and poorly resolved.

How parents interact with each other, regardless of whether they are together or separated, has a big impact on their children.

Evidence shows that parental conflict has a negative impact on children, particularly in terms of mental health, problems at school, sleep difficulties and poorer health

More about the programme

The programme offers parents support to suit their circumstances to address conflict within their relationship as well as strengthening your parenting skills to bring up your children.

Support takes the form of one to one or group sessions delivered by experienced facilitators who are skilled in encouraging discussion around the modern struggles that parents and couples face.

During the programme, you will work on your relationship, whether you are together or separate, and find ways to manage stresses and disagreements, exploring patterns of behaviour and tools and techniques to improve your parenting skills and help your family succeed.

You can read a blog from Honor Rhodes on why this work is so important here.

Availability 

*This service is only on offer to residents of the following London boroughs: Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Camden, Hammersmith & Fulham, Croydon, Brent and Lambeth.

Courses are free and, where possible, support will be offered in your home or in your local community. Programmes are open to all eligible parents, mothers and fathers, same-sex parents are there are tailored opportunities for couples who are together in a relationship or those who are separated.

How can I get the help?

You can enquire about the programme here:

What can I expect?

We will contact you and fill out some more detailed information with you both.

The programmes offer:

• Support that is proven to improve relationships
• Support that is tailored to you
• A supportive and experienced professional
• Delivered at a time and place to suit you
• A quick response

Parents are encouraged to commit fully to the course in order to gain the most benefit.

Sessions range from individual, one-on-one, to group sessions between 8 to 12 parents depending on your particular needs. Creche facilities are not routinely available but may be offered if there is enough demand.