Relationships Matter programme
Contents
Overview
Conflict between parents can have a negative impact on children's mental health and their future.
When parental conflict is frequent and intense it can harm children's outcomes.
South Tyneside's Relationships Matter programme launched in May 2023.
It allows professionals to refer parents / carers who would benefit from accessing this support and parents / carers to refer themselves.
The Relationships Matter programme is aimed at conflict below the threshold of domestic abuse.
South Tyneside currently offer 3 online programmes available for parents to access, as well as 'Parenting When Separated' - a group session which will be delivered in one of our Family Hubs, or virtually if necessary.
For more information on the Relationships Matter programme, see GOV.UK: Reducing Parental Conflict.
Services available
Me, You, and Baby Too
Me, you and Baby Too is a digital programme suitable for new and expectant parents.
Objectives:
- To help new and expectant parents adapt to the changes that parenthood can have on their relationship.
- To raise awareness of the impact of stress and conflict on their baby.
- To support parents to develop skills to manage conflict constructively.
Arguing Better
Arguing better is a digital programme suitable for parents experiencing high levels of stress and couple conflict.
Objectives:
- To raise awareness of parental conflict and its impact on children.
- To increase parents' capacity to cope with stress together.
- To support parents to develop skills to manage their conflict more constructively.
Getting it right for children
Getting it right for children is a digital programme suitable for separating or separated parents experiencing high levels of conflict.
Objectives:
- To raise parents' awareness and understanding of how they are putting their child in the middle of their conflict.
- To help parents to develop positive communication skills.
- To support parents to co-operate and work out solutions together.
Parenting when separated
Parenting when separated is a group session suitable for parents who are preparing for, going through, or have gone through a separation or divorce.
Objectives:
- Solving co-parenting problems in a positive way that focuses on the needs of children.
- Coping with the emotional impact of separation and learning stress management techniques.
- Helping their children to cope with the impact of the separation both emotionally and practically.
- Enhancing communication with their children and with their children's other parent.
How to refer
To make a referral, please contact relationshipsmatter@southtyneside.gov.uk for a service request form.
All referrals will be triaged by the Relationships Matter project team, who will contact the referrer and parents to determine the most suitable programme.
The Relationships Matter programme is not suitable for parents experiencing domestic abuse within their relationship.
If domestic abuse is a factor, please see what is abuse and report domestic abuse.