Parents Plus is currently looking for talented and motivated new Trustees who can serve on the Parents Plus board to advise and guide the organisation to the next stage of its development.

Background – Parents Plus CLG
Parents Plus CLG was founded in 1998 and works to develop and disseminate evidence based programmes for families in Ireland and internationally.  In order to ensure long term sustainable benefit, the charity adopts a ‘train the trainer’ approach to empower professionals and community leaders to deliver the programmes in their agencies and local areas.  Specifically,  Parents Plus provides programme materials and facilitator training, post training supervision and coaching, as well as evaluation and implementation support to local agencies and groups over time, to build long-term family support capacity, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Background – Parents Plus Programmes
Parents Plus currently have seven flagship programmes, which are delivered as structured courses with small groups of parents, children and adolescents utilising DVD input, hand-outs, group exercises and homework.

The Programmes are delivered over 6 -12 weeks to small groups of parents and adolescents by community professionals who have undergone Parents Plus training.

The seven evidence based flagship programmes are:
1) The Early Years Programme (For parents of children 1-6 years)
2) The Children’s Programme (For parents of children 6 -11) 
3) The Adolescent’s Programme (For parents of adolescents 11-16 years)
4) The Working Things Out Programme (Targeted at adolescents aged 11-16)
5) Parenting when Separated Programme (Targeted at parents post separation)
6) Parents Plus Special Needs Programme (To support parents with an adolescent with an intellectual disability)
7) Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme (To support healthy, active and positive family lifestyles)

The Parents Plus Programmes have all been developed in partnership with Irish parents and children specifically including their individual experiences. 

There is now a substantial body of evidence demonstrating the high impact of the Parents Plus Programmes in terms of reducing emotional/behaviour problems for children, alleviating parental stress, as well as improving children’s learning within the home.  See www.parentsplus.ie/research for further details.

Organisation Structure
Parents Plus was established as a registered charity under the auspices of the Mater Hospital in 2001 (Charity No. CHY 13664) and a company limited by guarantee in 2013 (CRO 530105). 

The conduct of our organisation is governed by our Memorandum and Articles of Association.  All profits from sales of programmes and training are re-invested in developing new materials and sponsoring facilitator training. 

Parents Plus also receives funding through a variety of grants and government bodies including An Pobal/ Dept. of the Environment and the ESB.  Recently, Parents Plus was awarded an innovation grant via TUSLA to develop the Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme.

Parents Plus is governed by a voluntary board and run by a small number of part-time staff.  Parents Plus has signed up to the Charity Governance Code.
See www.parentsplus.ie/about for details of the current trustees and key personnel

Article featured in The Northern Standard Newspaper, December 2019

The Parents Plus range of parenting courses, which are offered free of charge to all parents in County Monaghan by the organisation Parenting Monaghan, has led to significant improvements in parenting confidence and skills as well as improvements in child behaviour, positive discipline and family relationships, according to an evaluation report which was launched by Parenting Monaghan at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblainey, yesterday, the 4th of December.

Data from parents who attended the Parents Plus courses also indicates important improvements in their children’s ability to process their emotions and parent child communication.

The report, a collaboration between Parenting Monaghan and Parents Plus, and based on evaluations from 124 Monaghan families who attended the courses, evaluates and documents the effectiveness of using the Parents Plus ‘Parenting’ Programmes by Parenting Monaghan, between 2017 and 2018.

The report clearly demonstrates that offering universal parenting courses to parents, such as the evidence based Parents Plus programmes commissioned by Parenting Monaghan, delivers measurable and tangible benefits to parents and their children, proving further the importance of investing in evidence based parenting programmes in order to deliver long-term benefits for families and communities across Ireland.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Ellen Mc Meel, Parenting Monaghan Coordinator explains,

“Parents are overwhelmed by the amount and type of parenting information that is out there. Parenting Monaghan wanted to respond to the needs of parents in Monaghan in the most effective way. This is why we chose to train in and offer the Parents Plus programmes. They allow parents to cut through this noise and have access to practical information, developed by parenting experts, which is relevant to their experience as parents in Ireland. Parents aren’t given an instruction manual when their children are born, so these free courses are an invaluable resource to all parents with children from 1 to 16 years old. They are an excellent way for parents to come together to learn proven strategies that will actually work for their families.”

Parenting Monaghan chose to commission the Parents Plus range of parenting courses as the courses have been clinically proven to work and their focus is on empowering parents to make the necessary positive changes in their lives.

The team at Parenting Monaghan offer the following Parents Plus courses free to all parents in Monaghan:

The Parents Plus Early Years Programme for parents of 1 – 6 year olds

The Parents Plus Children’s Programme for parents of 6 – 11 year olds

The Parents Plus Adolescent Programme for parents of young people age 11 – 16 year olds

The Parents Plus Parenting When Separated Programme for parents experiencing separation or divorce

A results based model of parenting support offered by Parenting Monaghan

One parent who attended the Parents Plus Early Years Programme with Parenting Monaghan describes how “Since the course I have been able to introduce good routines for the kids, there are very few behaviour issues, I am more consistent as a parent and I have learned tools that every parent should learn. To be honest, it doesn’t matter what your background or where you are from, every parent should do the Parents Plus courses. The course will change your children lives and your life for the better.”

Another parent explains, “I found the Parents Plus programme to be very worthwhile and beneficial to me. Having completed the programme I feel I can communicate better with my children, react calmer to their challenging behaviour and most importantly, recognise the value of engaging in playtime with them.”

The report not only emphasises the major impact that Parenting Monaghan is having on families in County Monaghan, but also the long term differences that investment in collaborations such as this have on the future of families when given access to evidence based parenting courses.

Continuing the partnership with parents of Monaghan

Mc Meel concludes “The Parenting Monaghan approach of delivering the Parents Plus programmes matters to parents and shows that working in partnership with all parents really works. We welcome all parents to contact us to book their free place and to ask any questions that they might have. Parents shouldn’t be left isolated in their responsibility to bring up their children. Times have changed. So many people live away from their extended family, are working long hours, have longer commutes, are trying to be everything to everyone. But we can’t do it all on our own. Parenting Monaghan wants the parents of Monaghan to know that we are all in this together. As the old proverb says, It takes a village to raise a child. This is certainly clear from our evaluation and from the strong feedback from the parents involved.”

To book your free place, call or text Ellen at 087 770 2114 or email parentingmonaghan@gmail.com

Parenting Monaghan was formed in August 2016 to address parenting needs across Co. Monaghan. It is a multi-agency project that has 17 member groups, with a part time coordinator and administrative backup.

The agencies involved in Parenting Monaghan are Monaghan Integrated Development, Monaghan County Childcare Committee, ISPCC Child and Family Networks, Tusla Child and Family Agency, HSE Primary Care, HSE Public Health Nursing, HSE Adult Mental Health Services, Children and Young People’s Services Committee, Monaghan County Council, School Completion Programme, Monaghan Education Centre, Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board, Foroige/Garda Youth Diversion Programme, Youth Work Ireland, Monaghan, Teach na Daoine Family Resource Centre, Cavan Monaghan Drug Awareness and Enable Ireland.

Source of image and article: The Northern Standard Newspaper

Press Release – 19^th of June 2019

The first Parenting Programme in the world for parents of adolescents with intellectual disabilities partners with disability services across Ireland to evaluate the programme impact

Professionals working in the field of intellectual disability came together on Tuesday 18^th of June at the Aishling Hotel, Dublin, as part of a research group to evaluate the new ‘Special Needs’ parenting programme for parents of adolescents with an intellectual disability developed by Parents Plus.

The first of its kind in Ireland and the world, the programme was developed by Parents Plus’s Professor John Sharry, Speech and Language Therapist Grainne Hampson and Assistant Psychologist Aoife O’ Leary in partnership with families affected by intellectual disability and with disability services across Ireland.

The research will be carried out in the form of a Randomised Controlled Trial with the disability services that gathered at the event and in partnership with Trinity College Dublin’s Dr. Charlotte Wilson, Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology, Psychologist in Clinical Training, Suzanne McMahon and Parents Plus over the next six months.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Wilson explained “This means that the Parents Plus Special Needs Programme, as the first of its kind to undergo a Randomised Controlled Trial, can be used across the world as a valuable tool to help families with an adolescent with an intellectual disability.  The partnership with the professionals here today to engage in a Randomised Controlled Trial is not only the gold standard, but will prove that it is this specific programme that is making the difference for families.    To see Parents Plus leading the way in developing this programme for parents of adolescents with an intellectual disability is truly remarkable.  Indeed, it is because of their focus on developing evidence based programmes and the impact of their other flagship parenting and mental health programmes that I am delighted to be involved in such a momentous piece of research.”

Professor John Sharry of Parents Plus highlighted that “In developing the Special Needs Programme we worked extensively with disability services throughout the country and conducted focus groups with 97 parents who are raising an adolescent with special needs.  Their involvement and contributions are vital to ensuring that this programme is relevant and will really make a difference.  Parents of adolescents with an intellectual disability face unique challenges as their child becomes a young adult.  Research shows that this is a time of high levels of parental stress and significant difficulty.  Feedback emphasised that current parenting programmes do not meet their needs.  For us as an organisation, it is absolutely critical that we hear the voices of all families in Ireland and equip professionals to support these families through this journey.  They should never be left behind.  The Parents Plus Special Needs Parenting Programme will meet this need.”

Gina Grant of Down Syndrome Donegal stated “There is nothing like this available to these families.  They feel that they can’t ask anyone questions relevant to the needs of their teenager.  They feel lost in their community.   As a professional who delivers the other Parents Plus programmes, I know and see the value that these interventions bring to families.  The Special Needs Parenting Programme will show families affected by intellectual disability that their family and their futures are really valued.  That they matter.”

Parents Plus will launch this much needed programme in spring 2020 and with a long waiting list of services eager to begin training in and running of the programme, the team look forward to training professionals to finally reach the thousands of families across Ireland and globally who are calling out for a programme of this kind.

For media enquiries contact

Cherie Tyner, Parents Plus: (087) 6455511; cherie@parentsplus.ie

About Parents Plus

Parents Plus was founded by former Principal Social Worker at the Mater Hospital Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and adjunct senior lecturer at the School of Psychology in University College Dublin, Professor John Sharry and Professor Carol Fitzpatrick in 1998 and established as a registered charity under the auspices of the Mater Hospital, Dublin in 2001.

Parents Plus is an Irish charity that develops practical, evidence-based parenting and mental health programmes. The organisation train professionals working with children and families both in Ireland and internationally to deliver the programmes in communities and clinical settings.

Parents Plus have developed five evidence based flagship programmes in partnership with parents and children living in Ireland and includes their specific experiences. The programmes combine a social learning model with a solution-focused preventative framework that encourages and empowers parents and children to ‘take charge’ and make positive changes in their lives.

The programmes include:

• The Early Year’s Programme for parents of children aged 1 to 6.
• The Children’s Programme for parents of children aged 6 to 11.
• The Adolescent’s Programme for parents of adolescents aged 11 to 16.
• The Working Things Out Programme targeted at adolescents aged 11-16.
• Parenting when Separated Programme targeted at parents who are preparing for, going through or have gone through a separation and divorce.
• The Special Needs Programme for parents of adolescents with an intellectual disability
• The Healthy Families Programme (Currently in development)

There are over 20 studies conducted in clinical, community and disability settings to attest to the programmes effectiveness for families with children and adolescents of all ages, and for separated families.  The programmes follow international best-practice guidelines as described by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the UK, and they are specifically listed as evidence-based programmes by the Department of Education (UK) – www.education.gov.uk and the Early Intervention Foundation – www.eif.org.uk.  More information about our evidence can be found on our research page here.

In the development of the PPSN we are grateful to our funders and supporters, particularly the Mater hospital and a SSNO grant for national organisations from the Dept of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government via  An Pobal

Parents Plus are inviting PP Facilitators to a FREE Advanced Practice Workshop in Dublin in June to cater specifically for more experienced facilitators.

The workshop will focus on further developing group facilitation skills, effective programme set-up and delivery, managing challenges, and strengths based engagement with parents.

• When is the workshop: Wednesday, 12th June 2019 from 9.30am until 1.00pm
• Location: Nurses Education Centre, 14 Nelson Street, Dublin 7
• Cost: Free to attend for PP Facilitators but you must book online to reserve a place

To book a place on this Advanced Practice Workshop, book online below under supervisions

If you’ve any other queries about this workshop, please email eileen@parentsplus.ie 

Parents Plus are inviting PP Facilitators to a FREE Advanced Practice Workshop in Cavan on 30th April to cater specifically for more experienced facilitators.

The workshop will focus on further developing group facilitation skills, effective programme set-up and delivery, managing challenges, and strengths based engagement with parents.

• When is the workshop: Tuesday, 30th April from 2.00pm to 4.00pm
• Location: Hotel Kilmore, Dublin Road, Cavan
• Cost: Free to attend for PP Facilitators but you must book online to reserve a place.

To book a place on this Advanced Practice Workshop, book online below under supervisions. 

If you’ve any other queries about this workshop, please email eileen@parentsplus.ie 

Parents Plus is currently looking for talented and motivated new Trustees who can advise and guide Parents Plus to the next stage of its development. We are also looking for potential Trustees who:

Background – Parents Plus Programmes

Parents Plus currently has five flagship programmes, which are delivered as structured courses with small groups of parents, children and adolescents utilising DVD input, handouts, group exercises and homework. The programmes are delivered over six -12 weeks to small groups of parents and adolescents by community professionals who have undergone Parents Plus training.

The five programmes are:
1) The Early Year’s Programme (parents of children 1 – 6 years)
2) The Children’s Programme (parents of children 6 – 11 years) 
3) The Adolescent’s Programme (parents of adolescents 11 – 16 years)
4) The Working Things Out Programme (targeted at adolescents aged 11 – 16 years)
5) Parenting when Separated Programme (targeted at parents post separation)

We have currently two new programmes in development notably the:
a) Parents Plus Pathways Programme to support parents with children with a disability.
b) Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme to support healthy, active and positive family lifestyles.

The Parents Plus Programmes have all been developed in partnership with Irish parents and children specifically including their individual experiences. There is now a substantial body of evidence demonstrating the high impact of the Parents Plus Programmes in terms of reducing emotional/behaviour problems for children, alleviating parental stress, as well as improving children’s learning within the home.

See www.parentsplus.ie/research for further details.

Parents Plus are inviting PP Facilitators to a FREE Advanced Practice Workshop in 2019 to cater specifically for more experienced facilitators.

The workshop will focus on further developing group facilitation skills, effective programme set-up and delivery, managing challenges, and strengths based engagement with parents.

• When is the workshop: Thursday, 21st March 2019 – 1.30pm – 4pm
• Location: ClareCare, Harmony Row, Ennis, Co Clare
• Cost: Free to attend for PP Facilitators

To book a place on this Advanced Practice Workshop, book online below under additional training.

If you’ve any other queries about this workshop, please email eileen@parentsplus.ie 

Group supervision training sessions are a great opportunity for you to meet with your colleagues, reflect on your experiences of running Parents Plus groups thus far, and access support to improve your practice.

The goals of the workshops are to:

• Support facilitators to get PP groups up and running in their services
• Support programme delivery
• Consult on specific challenges/group facilitation skills
• Provide information on the Parents Plus Accreditation process