Who's in Charge?

Who's in Charge? is a 9 week child to parent violence (CPV) programme aimed at parents whose children are being abusive or violent toward them or who appear out of parental control.

The Who's In Charge? Programme

The Who's In Charge? sessions are delivered by trained and experienced facilitators, who provide a friendly and supportive space to build your parenting knowledge and skills and get to know other parents and carers facing similar issues.

It is usually delivered online and consists of 8 two-hour sessions with a two-month follow-up.

The 9 week programme covers the following topics:

Session 1 - Welcome to the Programme

Session 2 - "Causes" or influences of violence or abusive behaviour

Session 3 - What is abuse? How do we influence/control/have power over our children?

Session 4 - What do you do for your child? What can I control in my child's life? Consequences.

Session 5 - Consequences continued and Parenting Styles

Session 6 - What buttons do your children press with you? Anger

Session 7 - Assertiveness! How to Use 'I' Statements

Session 8 - What do we do for ourselves? Strengths and Goal Setting

Around 1-2 months later...

Session 9 - Progress - difficulties and successes. Any further support or signposting to other agencies and support.

Criteria for attending the Who’s In Charge? Programme

Child is between 8 – 17 years of age
Child has diagnosed or suspected ADHD/Autism
Parent/Carer has previously attended one of our other parenting programmes

Don’t meet the criteria? Find out which other service providers deliver Who’s in Charge?

If you are feeling unsure about the programme, it might be helpful to visit the Who’s in Charge? website via the link above where you can find out more.

The referral form is accessible through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Support for Neurodiverse Families webpage.

If you would like more information you can call our friendly team on 01489 799178 or email neurodiversefamilies @barnardos.org.uk

Some of our Parents/Carers have told us:

The whole programme helped me massively and has changed so many ways I deal with my teenager and other family members. The not caring and taking control back, being assertive not authoritative, put back responsibility/entitlement into its place! Losing the guilt I felt that his behaviour was my fault, my anger dissolving and feeling much calmer and taking time before reacting

Further Support

Here are some useful links giving some helpful information and potential sources of support. Please remember. If you or someone you know, is in immediate danger always call 999 and ask for the police.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247

Family Lives - offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). Please call 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.

I Talk - a free service for patients with depression, anxiety or stress, delivered in partnership between Solent Mind and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

MIND - a charity which provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

SHOUT – Free, 24/7 mental health text support service. You can text 85258 any time, day or night. Your messages are confidential and anonymous. It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK.

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 - help@nspcc.org.uk

Childline 0800 1111 – If you believe that your child needs support due to increased behavioural or emotional needs, they can speak confidentially and anonymously to Childline which may help to alleviate the situation if they feel able to speak someone outside of the family.

Samaritans – 116 123