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Early Help

Parental Relationships

Happy Families, Happy Futures Devon

As part of the Happy Families, Happy Futures agenda, Devon County Council are offering 2 FREE virtual or face-to-face ‘Reducing Parental Conflict’ Programmes (‘Family Transitions Triple P’ and ‘Within My Reach’) to support parents improve the quality of their interparental relationship.

The programmes help develop positive communications, manage emotions, and create a better environment for children to thrive.

Family Transitions Triple P

Advice and guidance to support co-parenting and to deflect the pressure of divorce or separation away from children.

Within My Reach

Provides advice and guidance for couples who are together, to help with the integration of new skills within their relationship.

To refer onto a programme, please complete this online Devon Happy Families Happy Futures Referral Form 

Consent Information

OnePlusOne

OnePlusOne has introduced ‘Separating better’: a mobile app designed to support separating parents; to help them create a positive environment for co-parenting.

The Separating better app offers expert guidance and practical solutions for families navigating separation. It is designed for parents to use independently to access practical and emotional support whenever they need it.

Separating better – app animation video guide on Vimeo

Visit oneplusone.org.uk/separating-better to download the free app.

Reducing Parental Conflict Toolkit Training for Practitioners

Topics such as parental conflict, research findings, and the impact on children will be covered. The training will offer valuable insights and effective tools that you can use to support parents.

You can book this training through Del Learning Pool.

Parental Conflict

Parental conflict is unhealthy relations below the threshold of domestic abuse. Conflict is a normal part of a healthy relationship, however, when conflict is frequent, intense, and poorly resolved it can have a detrimental impact. There is strong evidence to suggest that conflict between parents has an impact on children’s self-esteem, mental and physical health, behaviour, academic achievements, relationships as well as other long-term life-chances.

Healthy parental relationships have fluid and constructive communication. This promotes effective joint parenting whether couples are together or separated. Conflict in relationships can occur in all types of families such as biological parents, stepparents, foster and adoptive parents, grandparents and separated and divorced parents.

It is evident that most parents do not want to intentionally harm their children, but their own life experiences and their lived experiences influences the way they communicate. This is highlighted in the following video Life is like a Jar of Marbles.mp4 – Google Drive

Link to causes of parental conflict

Support and tools for parental conflict

The Family Links website provides a range of resources you can access and download, as well as some great top tips to try at home together!

Relate chatbots: a suite of AI-driven chatbots designed to support co-parents and carers. Developed using Relate’s knowledge base, these tools offer personalised advice and practical insights.

  • The ‘Co-Parenting Bot’ provides tailored advice based on specific situations. It offers personalised responses, ensuring relevant support.
  • The ‘In the Middle Bot’ helps parents understand their child’s potential thoughts and feelings, offering insights based on child psychology principles and tailored to the child’s age. It guides parents and carers in supporting children and improving family dynamics.
  • The ‘Sounding Board Bot’ assists in crafting clear, positive messages to improve co-parent communication. It offers suggestions to reduce misunderstandings and conflicts, promoting healthy dialogue.

These chatbots are trained using clinically approved documents and safeguarding information. They detect safeguarding concerns and direct users to appropriate support. Local Authorities and frontline practitioners can integrate these tools to enhance co-parenting support.

The NHS website has guides for families with a new baby that provide tips and tricks for navigating this time.

The Citizen’s Advice website has advice and guidance on financial matters.

Housing options | Information to help you find the right solution | Devon County Council for information and advice.

Mind is a useful website with information and support.

EDP Drug and Alcohol Services.  There is also a range of support services if you are concerned about a family member and would like to seek further advice: NHS Live Well – Advice for the families of drug users

For more information please contact the Parental Relationship Co-ordinator, Lorraine Rowlands, on 07890 959675  or email lorraine.rowlands@devon.gov.uk

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behaviour in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviours that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socio-economic backgrounds and education levels.

Domestic Abuse Support Services

National Help and Support

Devon-Wide Help and Support

Locality-Based Help and Support

Online Information and Support

 

 

If you think that the child is at risk of significant harm, contact our Front Door directly by calling 0345 155 1071. In an emergency call 999.


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