A-Z of Services

Strengthening Families Programme

For any Family living in Wrexham with Young People aged 10 – 14

What’s it all about?

Strengthening Families is a 7 week programme for any family living in Wrexham with young people aged between 10 and 14 years of age.

Becoming a teenager can be a challenging time for young people and parents alike. The Strengthening Families Programme is proven to support parents & young people through this time of change.

Comments from Parents…

“We have learnt to listen, to spend more time together, and that we are not alone!”
“I am now spending quality time with my family and listening to what they are trying to tell me”
“I’ve had no letters from the school since the course started”
“Now I speak calmly, I’m not shouting as much”

Comments from Young People…

“I have picked up some good ideas - like how to handle peer pressure and other problems”
“I loved it!”
“I now know not to go off shouting when I can’t get my own way”

The Strengthening Families Programme is a 7-week programme that works with families to strengthen their relationships with each other.

Parents and Young People meet in separate groups for the first hour, and then come together in the second hour for a family session.

The group is led by a group of people from a variety of different agencies and backgrounds, who already work with young people and their families.

It includes activities designed to:

Help parents and carers learn nurturing skills that support their children
Teach parents and carers how to effectively discipline and guide their children
Give young people a chance to consider their future goals, and an increased appreciation of their parents/carers
Teach young people skills for dealing with stress and peer pressure.

For details of when and where the next programme will be run or details of how to refer yourself, or a family you work with please contact:

Strengthening Families Co-ordinator on 01978 729786 or email parenting@wrexham.gov.uk.

The Strengthening Families Programme is being run as part of a research trial. This means that not all applicants will be able to attend the programme.

Family Application Information

The Strengthening Families Programme is for any family living in Wrexham who have children aged between 10–14 years
The Strengthening Families Programme is for parents/carers and children aged 10–14 years to attend together
The Strengthening Families Programme is most appropriate to young people who live full time with their parent/carer, however other circumstances may be considered
Adults & young people attending must be able to take part in a group setting for 2.5 hours each week for 7 weeks
Applications can be made using the Family Application form
Applications can be made by individual families or agencies. Agencies currently supporting a family may apply on their behalf with the family’s consent. These agencies will be expected to maintain regular contact with families throughout the duration of the programme
A play / childcare facilities for families with younger children will be made available if necessary. Transport can also be made available, or the cost of bus fares reimbursed if necessary.
The co-ordinator will assess whether the Strengthening Families Programme is suitable for your family, based upon the information provided in your application form, and following a home visit.

Family Application Form

The form can be filled in electronically and emailed back to us at parenting@wrexham.gov.uk.

This document is available in the following formats:

Family Application Form - Word version 1.7Mb

Family Application Form - PDF version 101Kb

To view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed.

Link on the Adobe logo to download the software.

Adobe Acrobat documents can be converted back to plain text using Accessible Adobe® Reader.

To view and print Microsoft Word files, you must either have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, or you can download free Microsoft Word Viewer software.

Link on the logo to download the software

Information For Referrers

Key features of the Strengthening Families Programme

The SFP is a seven-session programme (two and a half hours per week)
Parents and young people meet separately for the first hour and spend the second hour together in family activities
It is focussed on building upon strengths within the family and reducing family related risk factors for adolescent problem behaviour & substance misuse

Referral Criteria & Guidance

Parent & Young Person Referral Criteria:

SFP is for any family living in Wrexham with young people aged 10–14 years
The parent /carer and young person must be aware of, and agree to the referral
(please have parent and young person sign in the space provided)
Families must be committed to attending all seven sessions and be aware that groups will normally run after school hours, usually in the evening.

Weekly Topics Covered by the Programme

Young People’s Group

Reaching Goals
Appreciating Parents
Dealing with Stress
Following Rules
Dealing with Peer Pressure
Peer Pressure and Good Friends
Reaching Out to Others

Parent Group

Showing Love and Setting Limits
Making House Rules
Encouraging Good Behaviour
Understanding Consequences
Building Bridges
Protecting Against Substance Misuse
Getting Help for Special family Needs

Family Group

Supporting Goals and Dreams
Appreciating Family Members
Using Family Meetings
Understanding Family Values
Building Family Communication
Families and Peer Pressure
Putting it all Together

Joint Agency Responsibility

Referrals will only be accepted on SFP referral forms returnable to the co-ordinator at the address below.
The families must agree to the referral being made. Parents and young people should sign the form in the space provided to confirm this.
Information will be held confidentially in line with the data protection act.
It is preferable for the referrer to maintain an open case with the referred family for the duration of the programme.
Please indicate on the referral form any specific difficulties within the family which may affect the smooth running of the sessions, such as:
- current alcohol or drug problems
- learning difficulties
- literacy difficulties
- behaviour issues
- child protection issues
All families will receive a home visit by the programme co-ordinator to assess their suitability for the programme. The referrer may be requested to accompany the co-ordinator to the home visit.
If transport or childcare is a barrier to attending, the co-ordinator will contact the referrer to discuss possible arrangements.
In the case of parents attending the group under parenting orders, it is the duty of the referrer/responsible officer to monitor their attendance at the group.
Where requested the co-ordinator will make post-group feedback to the referrer with brief details of attendance and main outcomes. Follow up appointments remain the responsibility of the referrer.

SFP Co-ordinator
Strengthening Families Programme
Transport Department, Abbey Road South,
Wrexham Industrial Estate,
Wrexham LL13 9PW

Tel: 01978 729787
e-mail: parenting@wrexham.gov.uk

Referral Form

The form can be filled in electronically and emailed back to us at parenting@wrexham.gov.uk.

This document is available in the following formats:

Referral Form - Word version 1.7Mb

Referral Form - PDF version 101Kb

To view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed.

Link on the Adobe logo to download the software.

Adobe Acrobat documents can be converted back to plain text using Accessible Adobe® Reader.

To view and print Microsoft Word files, you must either have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, or you can download free Microsoft Word Viewer software.

Link on the logo to download the software

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