Parent and carer support programmes

Parent and carer support programmes give you the chance to meet other parents, share ideas and learn more about your child’s development. They help you build positive relationships, improve communication and make family life more enjoyable. You’ll gain confidence, reduce stress and learn practical skills that support you in your parenting journey. 

You can choose from a variety of parent and carer support programmes. These are available online, in person, or as a mix of both, and range from short two‑session workshops to longer courses. They are open to parents and carers who live in Waltham Forest or have a child attending a Waltham Forest school.

All parent and carer support programmes also welcome parents of children with SEND. If you prefer dedicated parenting programmes for families with children with SEND, you can find them on the bottom of this page.

Triple P: Babies

For parents of babies up to 1 year old.
At these sessions you’ll meet other parents, learn to understand what you can do to promote your baby's development, support their emotional and physical health and build a stronger bond with them.

HENRY Healthy Families group programme

For families with children under 5.

This free 8-week programme helps you give your child the best possible start in life. Each week, join an interactive group session with other local families to explore parenting confidence, emotional wellbeing, eating well as a family, physical activity for your little ones and family lifestyle habits.

You'll receive a free HENRY toolkit which includes lots of helpful resources to use in your family. Bring along your little ones; a free creche is provided.
How it’s delivered: Both face to face and online.
Length of programme: 8 weeks, with either a 2-hour face-to-face, or a 1-hour online session each week.
How to sign up/refer: Contact the HENRY team on 0208 496 5223, or email wfsupport@henry.org.uk.
 

Emotional and mental wellbeing support

Navigating the journey through pregnancy and early parenthood can be a time of mixed emotions and unique challenges, but you are not alone. Whether you're experiencing difficulties in bonding, facing emotional wellbeing challenges, or simply need guidance in your new parenting role, you can find support and guidance dedicated to help you during these important first months.

Triple P: 0 to 12

For parents or carers with children under 12.

You will take part in a range of practical activities that help you understand what’s behind behaviour that challenges, set goals for your family and use simple strategies to support your child’s development, manage difficult moments and plan for situations that may feel high‑risk.
How it’s delivered: Face to face and online.
Length of programme: 5 sessions (each session is 2 hours) plus 3 weeks of individual telephone consultations.
 

BeeZee Families

For parents of children aged 5 to 15.

A completely free, award-winning healthy lifestyles programme for families. Our fun-filled, family-focused sessions are filled with exciting activities and practical healthy eating advice to help you feel great and live your best life.
How it’s delivered: Face to face.
Length of support: 16 weekly sessions held in local schools.
Referral criteria: Your child must be aged between 5 and 15 and above their ideal weight based on the BMI centile chart.
How to sign up/refer:  visit the Beezee Bodies website, call 03308 186308, or email hellowalthamforest@beezeebodies.co.uk.

Calm Parents, Calm Children

For parents or carers of children aged 4 to 11.

A free course for parents, run by the Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service.
You will learn how to identify triggers that lead to challenging behaviours, how to encourage calm behaviour in yourself and your child, how to manage the main sources of anger, how to use praise as a discipline method, how to set and keep boundaries, and the role of feelings in parenting.
How it’s delivered: Face to face.
Length of support: 4 sessions. Each session is 2 hours long.
How to sign up/refer: email Cherie.cowan-smith@walthamforest.gov.uk or call 079 1877 1041.

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC)

For parents or carers with children aged 3 to 18.

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) is a welcoming, evidence‑based parenting programme designed to support you as you raise confident, happy and safe children, while helping you create a healthy home life and be part of a positive, supportive community where families can thrive. 
The programme helps you build a strong and loving relationship with your child, giving them the skills they need as they grow to make healthy and safe choices.
How it’s delivered: Face to face or online.
Length of programme: 13 sessions. Each session lasts for 3 hours.
 

Triple P: Teen

For parents or carers with children aged 11 to 18.

You might be looking for ways to help your teenager thrive, or you may have some concerns about their behaviour. During this programme, you will take part in practical activities that help you understand what influences teenage behaviour, set goals for your family and use strategies to support your teenager’s development, manage challenging behaviour and help them learn emotional self‑regulation.
How it’s delivered: Online.
Length of programme: 5 sessions, each session lasts for 2 hours; plus 3 weeks of individual telephone consultations.
 

Stronger Relationships programme

For parents or carers with children under 18.

This course is based on the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) parenting programme and is designed to support you as co‑parents or carers. The course helps you see things from your co‑parent’s perspective and supports you to communicate more clearly and respectfully, so you can reduce conflict and handle disagreements in healthier ways.
During the course, you’ll learn how to recognise when conflict becomes harmful and how it can affect your child. You’ll also explore your parenting values, understand your child’s needs, and find ways to manage your own stress.
How it’s delivered: Half of the programme is a one‑hour group discussion on Zoom, with daytime and evening sessions so you can choose a time that works for you. The other half is self‑study that you can complete whenever it suits your schedule.
 

Break Tha Cycle's Parent Lounge

For parents or carers with children under 18.

Break Tha Cycle Parent Lounge offers a full support system to help you with school meetings, appointments and paperwork, as well as day‑to‑day processes that can feel overwhelming. The team provides practical help, extra resources and ongoing aftercare, so you never have to manage things on your own.
The Parent Lounge also gives you a safe and welcoming space to connect with other parents and learn from each other’s experiences. Through the Parent Champion programme, you can even take part in training modules that help you become a supportive guide for other parents in the community.
How it’s delivered: Sessions held term-time only on Tuesdays, 1pm to 3pm at Queens Road Family Hub, E17 8PJ. 
How to sign up: All referral forms are available on the Break Tha Cycle website. Walk-ins are also accepted.

Mental health support for young people

If your child is experiencing anxiety, stress or finding things difficult to cope with, visit our Mental health support for young people page. It lists trusted self‑help resources to support emotional wellbeing, along with organisations offering free mental health support for young people and their parents.

Connective Family Formula

For parents and carers of children and young people under 25 years with SEND.

These sessions aim to help you to create a calmer family home, providing practical tips for how to increase connection with your child, manage meltdowns, and learn tools for self-care. 

Triple P: Stepping Stones

For parents or carers with children up to 12 years with a special educational need or disability.

These sessions are designed to help you manage challenging behaviour and common developmental difficulties in children with special educational needs or a disability. You’ll take part in practical activities that help you understand what’s behind your child’s behaviour, set goals that matter to your family and learn simple strategies to support your child’s development, manage difficult moments and plan for situations that may feel more challenging. How it’s delivered: Face to face.
Length of programme: 6 sessions, each session is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Plus 3 weeks of individual telephone consultations.

 

Cygnet and EarlyBird

For parents and carers of children with an autistic spectrum condition (diagnosis needed).

EarlyBird is for parents and carers of children under 5. 
Cygnet is for parents and carers of children aged 5 to 11, and 12 to 18. 
Increase your understanding of autism, learn how your child experiences the world, and explore what drives their behaviour. You'll receive ASC resources and have the chance to connect with other parents and carers who share similar experiences.
How it’s delivered: Both online and in-person courses available. 
 

Social, emotional and mental wellbeing support

If you're struggling to cope and haven't been able to find support, or you think your child may need a specialist diagnosis.

Sleep Service and short breaks

For parents and carers of children under 5 years.

Our sleep practitioners offer one‑to‑one support and practical advice for families, and for professionals working with families. They specialise in helping children with and without additional needs who are experiencing sleep difficulties.
If you are currently being supported by a Social Worker, Early Help Practitioner, or SEND Officer, you can ask them to make a professional referral as they will be completing an assessment with your family.
Sleep support can also be requested as part of a short break. To check eligibility and apply for a short break, you will need to complete a self‑referral.
 

Waltham Forest Parent Forum

For parents and carers of children and young people under 25 years with SEND.

A friendly, voluntary group for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs or disabilities in Waltham Forest. The group offers a range of training, workshops and sessions for both parents and carers, as well as activities for children.