Relationships Matter : skills to support families

When working with families do you think about the quality of parental relationships?

Do you feel confident to ask questions about relationship quality?

Do you know where to go for relationship support?

We understand that healthy relationships support good outcomes for children, so it is essential that we support parents to have the skills to manage stress and communicate well.

Arguing is NORMAL it is our behaviours and how we resolve conflict that determine relationship quality and stability.

The Early Help Commissioning Team have developed an i-learn that we can share for free if you have a learning platform you can host the course on.

It covers:

• Understanding what parental conflict is and the impact this has on Children and Young People
• Understanding the difference between parental conflict and domestic and the appropriate support pathways
• Identifying signs that could indicate relationship distress and conflictual behaviours that lead to relationships breakdown
• Understanding a framework for working with parents in conflict

We offer free training in the use of the OnePlusOne Digital Interventions and are looking for relationship support champions across the VCFSE sector. 

If you would like to know more about the training, resources and courses available to support parental relationships please contact EHCommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

We have developed a webpage full of resources to support parents in conflict and a range of digital and group based courses:

Parenting When Separated: A 6-week group-based course for separated parents that focuses on the emotional impact of separation and supporting communication between co-parents.

Upcoming course dates:

• Online course every Wednesday between 29 Jan - 12 Mar 2025 excluding half term, 10am - 12:30pm
• Face to Face course at The Otley Family Centre, Otley Way, WD19 7TB

Every Friday between 17 Jan - 28 Feb 2025 excluding half term, 10am – 1pm

Parenting When Separated Referral Form (hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Parenting SEN Children Through Separation: A 6-week group-based online course for separated or separating parents and carers of neurodiverse children seeking guidance, support, and strategies for co-parenting more consistently.

Upcoming course dates:

• Monday between 24 Feb - 31 Mar 2025, 7pm - 9pm
• Every Tuesday between 25 Feb - 1 Apr 2025, 9.30am - 11.30am

Parenting SEN Children Through Separation Referral Form

OnePlusOne’s digital interventions: 3 online courses aimed at new parents, intact parents and parents that are separated.

Arguing Better

For all parenting journeys
Disagreements are a normal part of life. How you approach them can make all the difference to you, your partner, and your children. 

Me, You and Baby Too

For new parenting journeys
Learn how to navigate the changes that happen in a relationship when a baby arrives.

Getting It Right For Children

For all co-parenting journeys
Learn how to develop positive communication skills that enable you to parent co-operatively and work out solutions together. 

The course can be completed at your own pace independently or with support from staff at your local Family Centre or Local School Partnership.
You can get started with this digital course as soon as you register for a free OnePlusOne account.

All courses and further support can be found on the Relationship support for parents | Hertfordshire County Council