Empowering parents through the incredible years parenting group

The incredible years parenting group, a programme designed to support parents and carers manage their children’s behaviour and foster positive family relationships, is run by our Mental Health Support team.

The team promotes and supports the wellbeing of young people and families through early intervention. They offer evidence‑based support when children show mild to moderate difficulties with emotions, relationships, or behaviour, and are part of the Tavistock and Portman’s renowned children and young people’s services.

The incredible years parenting group, focuses on promoting children’s social, emotional, and academic development while reducing behaviours parents and carers are struggling with, such as aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity. It provides practical strategies and guidance in a supportive group setting, helping parents feel more confident and capable.

The benefits of the group are significant. Parents learn to build stronger relationships with their children and report improved behaviour, with reductions in aggression and disruptive behaviour.

Parents learn how to use positive parenting strategies such as praise, rewards, and reinforcement, set clear boundaries so children understand rules and expectations, and manage misbehaviour calmly and consistently. Parents gain insight into addressing behaviours in an age-appropriate way and taught how to stay calm, manage their own emotions, and communicate effectively with their children.

One parent who attended the group said, “It helped my partner and myself assess our parenting, recognise where we are doing well and where we can improve. I wish I did this course several years ago. I would advise many parents to attend this”.

Being part of a group with other parents facing similar challenges was helpful. One parent shared that the group ‘made me feel less isolated, there are lots of people in the group who have similar concerns and it’s so useful to hear their stories and what they experience too’.

As a result, parents feel a greater sense of confidence in managing their children’s behaviour. One parent commented, “It felt like I was listened to, to all my issues with my son. It gave me tools to control myself and better my parenting skills. It was very helpful to understand my son and myself better.”

Another parent said, “The course has given me more confidence to try things, be kinder to ourselves as a family and realise we can improve our relationships, dynamics and happiness. It is an extremely supportive, non-judgemental group that can give parents and carers the tools to improve and cope with particular struggles”.

Alice Hargreaves, a co-facilitator of the group added, “We had nine parents engage and complete the incredible years programme, which is fantastic. Throughout the intervention parents gave insightful feedback, demonstrating an increased ability to mentalise their child’s experiences, recognised themselves as part of the home environment, and reported significant positive changes in both their own behaviour and their child’s behaviour.”

The programme is designed for parents of children aged five to eleven years. It is delivered in small groups over a period of twelve to fourteen weeks, with weekly sessions led by trained facilitators.

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