Strengthening Families Programme

A 14 week internationally recognised evidence-based family skills programme for the ‘whole family. This programme is available for families with children aged 6-12 years old and teens aged 12-16 year olds.

What is SFP?

The Strengthening Families Programme (SFP) is a 14 week internationally recognised evidence-based family skills programme for the ‘whole family’. It is available for families with children aged 6-12 years old and teens aged 12-16 year olds.

Families attending the programme gain improved family relationships, enhanced parenting and communication skills and skills to manage stress, anger and peer pressure. It has been found that by improving parenting protective factors and family relationships and resilience it will lead to reducing problem behaviour, improve school performance and reduce criminal behaviour and alcohol and drug use in young people.

In this strengths-based intervention approach that focuses on building protective factors, parents themselves can identify and build on their own strengths to help enhance their parenting capacity. If families are facing issues such as family stress and conflict in the home then this programme may be suitable.

How it works

The programme is run in a group setting for 2 ½ hours, 1 evening a week, over 14 weeks. To help reduce barriers for families to attend SFP offers transport & childcare if required and evening meal as part of the overall programme. After the evening meal the families are divided into two groups, the Parent Skills group and the Child / Teen Skills group, followed by the Family Skills group which both parents and children/teens together.

The programme is facilitated by SFP trained professionals & volunteers.

Families can be referred on the programme by Community, Voluntary and Statutory organisations working with and supporting families including schools, youth groups, family support agencies, mental health services, etc.

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Where it is available

SFP is delivered in various areas and locations across County Donegal including Inishowen, Letterkenny, South Donegal and North West Donegal. It is also delivered nationally throughout Ireland.

Who can take part

SFP is free and available to families with;

  • (a) parents/guardians and children aged 6-11 and/or
  • (b) parent/guardians and teens aged 12-16.

"This programme really helped my family. We listen to each other. We respect each other. We talk more and try to understand each other"

SFP Participant

Find Out More...

Would you like to learn more about this programme?

In Donegal

For information about the Strengthening Families Programme in Donegal please contact our Families Matter team.

Nationwide

For information about the programme nationally, visit the National Council Of Ireland, Strengthening Families Programme website. 

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