BUILDING POSITIVE relationships between parents and their children must be at the core of parenting programmes, a parenting expert said yesterday, write Sylvia Thompsonand Stephen Carroll.
"Parents also must be effective in setting limits and work out a calm and structured discipline plan," said Prof Judy Hutchings, consultant clinical psychologist with the North West Wales NHS Trust.
According to Prof Hutchings, many parents are unrealistic about what their children are able to do. "Parents must learn to look at the world through their children's eyes. They have to be more careful about how they structure their children's world to help them learn."
Prof Hutchings was the keynote speaker at the national conference of Archways, the Clondalkin-based organisation which was given State funding last year to develop the Incredible Years programme throughout Ireland. First developed more than 25 years ago by Prof Carolyn Webster-Stratton in the University of Washington, Seattle, the Incredible Years programme aims to treat and prevent emotional and behavioural problems in children aged three to 10 through collaborative-style programmes for parents, children and teachers.
According to Prof Hutchings, a key aspect of the Incredible Years programme is that it focuses on parents' own goals. "It's not about telling people what to do because that's an utter waste of time. It doesn't work and particularly not for people who didn't benefit from school in the first place."
By the end of 2009, it is expected that more than 11,000 children in 11 locations throughout Ireland will be involved in Incredible Years programmes. "We aim to work closely with other service providers, as well as parents, carers and teachers to enable us to meet the need of these children," said Archways director, Margaret Maher.
The recently appointed Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, told delegates the Government was committed to rebalancing child welfare services towards early intervention and family support measures.
He said working with children within their own families and communities was in their best interests and was an important factor in ensuring children reached their full potential.
"I believe that no matter what area or in what capacity we work in children's health or social services we should always have the child within their family and community as the core guiding principle of our work.
"Unless we support not only the vulnerable child but also their families, much of the good work achieved with these children and young people will be wasted," he said.
The Minister said his office was dedicated to a "what works" approach to developing policies and services for children and young people.
"This evidence-based approach is gained from professional experience . . . parents, children and the whole community will play a major role in future policy formation," he said.
The Incredible Years programme, which is currently in train with 200 children and their families in the Clondalkin area, has been found to prevent and reduce violence.
One Welsh study found there was a 46 per cent fall in anti-social behaviour among participants.
Earlier this year, the programme was introduced to two national schools in Drogheda, Co Louth. "Ultimately, we are helping children build better relationships at home and at school, improving social skills, anger management and academic skills such as concentration," said Hugh Doogan, education co-ordinator with the Drogheda Partnership.
Funding for the training and evaluation of the Incredible Years programmes in Ireland has been provided by Atlantic Philanthropies and the Dormant Accounts Fund.