FOR FAMILIES
THE SOLIHULL APPROACH
For parents interested in improving their relationship with their child. The content and practitioner qualifications are suitable for parents with low to moderate needs.
The programme is suitable for parents with children between the ages of 0 to 18. The programme’s best evidence is for children between the ages of 4 and 11 however it supports very well when children are at the stage of adolescence.
Parents identify personal goals at the first session. Parents are then expected to identify strategies during the sessions that will help them meet their personal goals.
Practitioners are also encouraged to assess parents’ needs on an informal basis throughout the course of the programme.
The course is delivered by three practitioners to groups of maximum 12 parents over 10 weekly sessions. Each session lasts two hours.
The Solihull Approach helps parents reflect on their child’s behaviour and their relationship with their child, by helping parents to understand the following three processes:
Containment
Helps parents to understand the emotional communications of the child in a way that does not overwhelm the parents or make them feel anxious. Parents who are not overwhelmed or anxious are in a better position to respond sensitively to their child.
Reciprocity
Helps the parent and child develop greater ‘attunement’ through positive, reciprocal interactions.
Behaviour Management
Assumes that children’s behaviou is linked to emotional containment and reciprocity with their parents.
The Solihull course also asks parents to reflect on how they were parented themselves.
Solihull does not provide as much information about specific behaviour management strategies in comparison to other parenting programmes.
SAPG is based on psychoanalytic theory, theories of child development and behaviourism.
Solihull is based on two primary assumptions:
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Some parents feel anxious or overwhelmed by the emotions expressed by their child
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Child behavioural problems are rooted in children’s own inability to contain their emotions.
Solihull therefore teaches parents how to understand and contain their own emotions, as well as the emotions of their child. These skills, in turn, help parents identify appropriate strategies for managing their child’s behaviour. Children who experience greater containment and reciprocity will also be better able to manage their own emotions and behaviour.
Improved child behavioural and emotional regulation should, in turn, help children do better in school and reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour and substance misuse when they get older.
If the above sounds exclusive, our experience of running two cohorts in the Forest of Dean is that parents engage and respond well, especially if their child is showing challenging behaviour. We have worked with 20 parents of which 12 have completed the course and successfully gained their certificate.
All attendees have said they find the 10 week course very useful, reducing stress and conflict in the family.
Caleb’s Mountain have 4 fully trained practitioners.
We just need a suitable venue with access to refreshments and power. We have pro-forma invitations which can be sent out to all parents either hard copy or through your e-mail system.
For more details or to book a course with us, get in touch using the contact form below.