01 May 2018
A new positive parenting programme called Triple P is being rolled out in Jersey schools to support families and prevent – as well as resolve – behavioural and emotional problems in children and teenagers.
More than 30 Education staff, including family support workers, education welfare officers, key workers and teachers have been trained in Triple P, which includes 17 specialist parenting strategies. They have learnt a range of techniques that are proven to help support families and ensure they can:
- raise happy confident children
- manage behaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
- set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
- encourage behaviour parents want to see
- take care of themselves
- feel confident they are doing the right thing
The introduction of Triple P in schools across the island supports the Education Department’s focus on families, which is one of the four key priorities in the Education Business Plan.
Head of Service for Parenting and Family Support, Debbie Key, said “We all know there’s no such thing as a perfect parent so we have introduced Triple P as a way of helping Jersey families. By getting this right for parents we know children will benefit hugely. It’s a powerful tool in creating the kind of positive family environments where children can realise their potential.”
Parents can get help in one-to-one sessions or in groups. One of the first in a series of 90-minute seminars will be taking place at Mont Nicolle School on 2 May.
Training and implementation consultant at Triple P UK, Dominic Weston, said “Triple P is designed to help parents with the skills to raise confident, healthy children and teenagers and to build stronger family relationships. It aims to equip parents with the skills and confidence to be self-sufficient and to be able to manage family issues without ongoing support.
“We try to give parents just the right amount of help. Some may just need a small amount of advice or information, for example on getting the kids to bed, or managing siblings fighting. Other parents might be finding the job of parenting really exhausting and challenging. They might need a bit more help and support.”
Education Minister Deputy Rod Bryans said “If we help parents overcome difficulties, we automatically help our children. This is a proven approach to helping families and complements all the other early intervention initiatives being pioneered by the Education Department, including the introduction of our Family Support Workers.”
Parents can find out more about Triple P Positive Parenting Programme, including dates of seminars in their area, by contacting their primary school or the parenting team at The Bridge.
gov.je