Parent Support Programme

This programme composes of three modules, each module has been designed to enhance your own knowledge and train you to become a vital part of our network of volunteer Support Parents. Our Support Parents are available for telephone contact to parents who are seeking support and information, when raising a child with a disability, health impairment or special need.

The three modules are Personal Support, Communication Skills and Navigating the System and are run as stand alone courses which can be attended in any order. When both the Personal Support and Communication courses are completed within an 18 month time frame you can apply for Support Parent Accreditation.

The Support Parent programme is free of charge to any parent who has a child with any disability, health issue or special need and wishes to become part of our network of volunteers.

Module One - Personal Support
This one day course will focus on the following elements of support from a personal perspective and how it relates to the Support Parent role.

What is support, types of support and where do you go to get support
The physical and psychological impacts of stress
Understand grief and how it can be portrayed
Identify your support networks and how to grow them

Module Two - Support Parent Skills
This course is run over two days and explores what is effective communication in speaking and listening. How behaviour styles influence your communication and identify your own strong communication style and how it can relate to the Support Parent role.

Communication skills that can help you in your own life
Effective listening skills
Assertion
Confidentiality
Communicating with professionals
Developing effective partner relationships
Overview of the disability sector
The role of a Support Parent

Module Three - Navigating the System
This is a half day course providing an overview of the disability sector and explanation on how to access health, welfare and education services within your local region and nationally.

What services and agencies are available locally and nationally
How to access them
An opportunity to speak with some of your local agencies
Develop strategies to work with professionals effectively

To find out more about these course call the Training Coordinator on 0508 236 236 or fill in the enquire form Click Here