Psychology of Parenting Project
Information Supporting Application
The rationale guiding the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP)
The Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) initiative is aimed at improving the
availability of high-quality evidence-based parenting programmes for families with
young children who have elevated levels of behaviour problems.
Effective interventions are needed for these children because:


Approximately 10% of preschool children display atypical and persisting high
levels of behaviour problems ( aggression, noncompliance and poor temper
control ) that are strongly predictive of a host of poor outcomes such as
school exclusion, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse and mental health
difficulties later in life
By their late-twenties, children with these difficulties are set to cost the public
purse ten times more than their normative peers
Why focus on parenting?
‘Put succinctly, parents create people. It is the entrusted and abiding task of parents
to prepare their offspring for the physical, psychosocial and economic conditions in
which they will eventually fare, and it is hoped, flourish…. Parents are the “final
common pathway” to children’s development and stature, adjustment and success.’
(Bornstein, 2002)
The development of the PoPP plan
The development of the PoPP plan began with the identification of the most
robustly-evidenced parenting programmes to help parents bring about positive
outcomes for young children with elevated levels of behaviour problems. Two
programmes, The Incredible Years Preschool BASIC and Level 4 Group
Triple P was selected due to their extensive evidence base and their ability to offer
support to parents with different needs and availability.
If you are interested in training in either Incredible Years or Group Triple P and
becoming part of Edinburgh’s Psychology of Parenting Project please read the
information below and fill in the application form attached. Please note that any
practitioners interested must have their manager’s approval.
Edinburgh Incredible Years Parenting Programme
What is Incredible Years?
The Incredible Years Parenting Programme within the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) takes
a positive parenting approach and is delivered over 14 weeks to parents and carers of children aged 3
and 4 years old who are experiencing a variety of difficulties within their parenting role. Parents may
be finding it difficult to put in place appropriate boundaries and positive parenting strategies to support
their child’s social and emotional development. The aim of this programme is to prevent and address
young children’s behavioural problems and promote their social, emotional and academic persistence.
The programme runs with up to 10 parents and each session lasts for 2 and ½ hours. It is good
practice to meet with all parents prior to the course commencing. Parents will be selected for
participation using a range of tools or methods but all will undertake the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire which will also be re-issued at the end of the course to measure outcomes for the
child/children. The Incredible Years materials also include a short evaluation sheet for parents/carers
after each session and a full evaluation of the programme at the end of the course.
General Aims

treatment of child aggression and behaviour problems

prevention of conduct problems, delinquency, violence and drug abuse

promotion of child social competence, emotional regulation, positive parental attributions,
academic readiness and problem solving, improved parent-child interactions, improved
parental functioning, less harsh and more nurturing parenting and

Increased parental social support and problem-solving
Family resources
Each family will receive a copy of the Incredible Years trouble shooting guide. This book is closely tied
into the course with the reading of chapters included in weekly home activities. This book is also
available in many different languages and in audio format. Worksheets also form part of weekly home
activities however these are mainly to support reflection of hands on tasks that parents/carers
undertake with their children.
Facilitator resources
Each facilitator will receive a copy of the Incredible Years trouble shooting guide at training:
The delivery of each programme requires the use of the Incredible Years Pre-school basic manual.
This includes an overview of the programme, planning materials, detailed session plans, video
resources, home activities works sheets and information on accreditation.
Training requirements
To deliver Incredible Years to parents, facilitators must have completed the active-skills training
programme and demonstrated their knowledge and competence in programme delivery through a
skills-based accreditation process. Facilitators new to group work are encouraged to complete the
additional group work training provided by the Parent and Carer Support Team via Workforce
Learning and Development. The table below provides an estimate of the time commitment required
for facilitators to participate in the required training.
Practitioner
briefing
Connecting
with Parents
9.30-16.30
9.30- 16.30
1 day
1 day
Number of
Training Days
9.00-17.00
Experts in
Action
Pre-delivery
consultation
session
Total
9.30-16.30
3 days
1 day
1 day
7 days
Delivery time commitment
In addition to the delivery of the programme the facilitator should allow time for set up, preparing for
and reviewing the sessions with their co-facilitator, reviewing home activities, and collating and
submitting group data such as attendance, evaluation, etc to the administrative support person.
Facilitators may be able to shadow or co-deliver with an experienced facilitator initially to help
increase their confidence. Facilitators are required to deliver at least two Incredible Years
programmes per year to ensure programmes are regularly available for parents in their local area.
Please see the table below for approximate delivery guideline times for each group.
Initial Parent
Meeting/ Home
Visit
Group Sessions
30 minutes per
parent (Maximum
5 parents per
facilitator, also
allow for travelling
time)
35 hours (2 ½
hours per session
for 14 weeks)
Set up,
Preparation ,
Review and Data
Collection
3 hours per
session
Total
Peer
consultation
meeting
At least I hour
Equivalent of one
day per week for
14 weeks per
programme
9.0
The importance of fidelity
For families to derive maximum benefit from the programme, it is imperative that the programme is
delivered as close as possible, in terms of method and content, to the research trials from which the
evidence-base is derived. The mechanisms in place to support the drive towards fidelity include








Standardised trainings
Manualised materials
Post-training supervision
Post-training accreditation schemes
Fidelity-monitoring schemes
Fidelity-monitoring tools
Post-training assistance
Practitioner support networks
Support
The Parent and Carer Support Team has responsibility for co-ordinating and supporting the delivery
of a range of parenting programmes including the Incredible Years programmes across Edinburgh.
Following training, facilitators will join Edinburgh’s team of Incredible Years facilitators who deliver
programmes in various areas across the city. The Parent and Carer Support Team will support
facilitators to plan, set up, promote, deliver and evaluate The Incredible Years Parenting
Programme.Facilitators will be expected to attend Incredible Years facilitator supervision forums and
peer support sessions throughout the year to enhance their engagement with parents and delivery of
the programme. This will also allow facilitators an opportunity to raise any concerns, share good
practice and contribute to plans to improve the implementation of Incredible Years in Edinburgh. It is
our aim that facilitators are given the support they need to undertake the delivery of targeted
parenting programmes in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Group Triple P- Positive Parenting Programme
What is Group Triple P?
Group Teen Triple P within the Psychology of Parenting Project (PoPP) is a broad-based parenting
programme delivered over eight weeks to parents and carers of children aged 3 and 4 years old who
are experiencing a variety of difficulties within their parenting role. Parents may be finding it difficult to
put in place appropriate boundaries and positive parenting strategies to support their child’s social
and emotional development. The programme runs with up to 10 parents and starts with four (2 hour)
group sessions where parents actively participate in a range of exercises. In weeks 5, 6 and 7
individual telephone or consultation sessions assist parents with independent problem solving while
they are practising the skills at home. The programme then concludes with a final group session to
review progress, discuss maintenance issues and complete final evaluations. Parents will be selected
for participation using a range of tools or methods but all will undertake the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire which will also be re-issued at the end of the course to measure outcomes for the
child/children
General Aims

To promote the development, growth, health and social competencies of children and young
people

To promote the development of non-violent, protective and nurturing environments for
children

To promote the independence and health of families by enhancing parents’ knowledge, skills
and confidence

To enhance the competence, resourcefulness and self-sufficiency of parents in raising their
children

To reduce the incidence of behavioural problems, child abuse, mental illness and delinquency
Family resources
Each family will receive a copy of the Triple P Group Workbook. This workbook provides them with
the content of all sessions, space to complete written exercises and an outline of all homework tasks.
Facilitator resources
Each facilitator will receive a copy of the following Group Triple P practitioner resources at training:
Facilitator’s Kit for Group Triple P (includes Facilitator’s Manual, CD Rom with Group Teen Triple P
PowerPoint presentations, and the Teen Triple P Group Workbook); and Every Parent’s Guide to
Teenagers [DVD].
Training requirements
To deliver Group Triple P to parents, facilitators must have completed the active-skills training
programme and demonstrated their knowledge and competence in programme delivery through a
skills-based accreditation process. Facilitators new to group work are encouraged to complete the
additional group work training provided by the Parent and Carer Support Team via Workforce
Learning and Development. The table below provides an estimate of the time commitment required
for facilitators to participate in the required training.
Practitioner
briefing
Connecting
with Parents
Number of
Training
Days
Pre
Accreditation
day
Accreditation
Day
1 day
1 day
3 days
1 day
1/2 day
PASS
Training
1 day
Total training commitment 7.5 days
Delivery time commitment
In addition to the delivery of the programme, individual telephone or consultation sessions, the
facilitator should allow time for set up, preparing for and reviewing the sessions with their cofacilitator, reviewing questionnaire booklets, and collating and submitting group data such as
attendance, evaluation, etc. to the administrative support person. Facilitators are required to deliver
four Group Triple P programmes per year to ensure programmes are regularly available for parents in
their local area. The overall time commitment is around 1 day per week.
The importance of fidelity
For Families to derive maximum benefit from the programme, it is imperative that they are delivered
as close as possible, in terms of method and content, to the research trials from which the evidencebase is derived. The mechanisms in place to support the drive towards fidelity include








Standardised trainings
Manualised materials
Post-training supervision
Post-training accreditation schemes
Fidelity-monitoring schemes
Fidelity-monitoring tools
Post-training assistance
Practitioner support networks
Support
The Parent and Carer Support Team has responsibility for co-ordinating and supporting the delivery
of a range of parenting programmes including Group Triple P programmes across Edinburgh.
Following training, facilitators will join Edinburgh’s team of Group Triple P facilitators who deliver
programmes in each area of the city. The Parent and Carer Support Team will support facilitators to
plan, set up, promote, deliver and evaluate Group Triple P programmes. Facilitators will be expected
to attend Group Triple P facilitator forums and peer support sessions throughout the year to enhance
their engagement with parents and delivery of the programme. This will also allow facilitators an
opportunity to raise any concerns, share good practice and contribute to plans to improve the
implementation of Group Triple P in Edinburgh. It is our aim that facilitators are given the support
they need to undertake the delivery of targeted parenting programmes in Edinburgh.