Promoting positive parenting

This presentation is intended for those professionals who help parents develop their positive parenting skills. 

There is strong evidence that improvement in positive parenting, rather than reductions in harsh or negative parenting, is the key factor mediating change in child problem behaviour. Reduction in punishment is a necessary but not sufficient condition for improvement, whereas positive parenting is a necessary change (Fonagy et al. (2015). Drawing on the Promoting Positive Parenting intervention guide (Roberts 2016; https://www.childandfamilytraining.org.uk/118/Promoting-Positive-Parenting), the presentation will suggest ways in which participants can help parents/caregivers:

• understand children’s difficult behaviour
• give praise and positive attention
• use attention and ignoring appropriately
• give effective instructions
• use rewards effectively; and
• shape challenging behaviour

It will include the use of video material, case vignettes and examples of practical exercises that participants can use when responding within their own organisational setting.

Jenny Gray OBE is a Social Work Consultant and Expert Witness in Child Welfare litigation specialising in child protection. She holds a BSc from Otago University, and Post-Graduate Diplomas in Social Work (Canterbury University), Family Therapy (IFT, London) and Teaching and Curriculum Design (IOE, London). She was the child protection policy adviser for the British Government for over 20 years, has worked with the governments internationally, WHO, EU and Council of Europe primarily on child protection initiatives and published on child welfare. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Child and Family Training.