Parenting Focus

Parenting Focus (previously Parenting NI) has been supporting parents across Northern Ireland since 1979. 

Parenting Focus provides a Freephone Support Line  has helped thousands of parents, grandparents and others in a parenting role for over 4 decades.

Parenting Focus is committed to supporting all parents and ensuring that their voices are heard whenever decisions are made that will affect them. We will continue to or endeavour to deliver a range of high quality support and services to meet parents' needs including:

• Support Line -  Listening to you and offering reassurance on freephone 0808 8010 722.
• Programmes and Workshops for Parents - Including the Odyssey, Parenting Your Teen programme.
• Family Support Services - Support for families including Dads Support.
• Parental Participation - Allowing parents to have their say on issues affecting them.
• Employee Wellbeing - Giving organisations the tools to support their parent employees.
• Training -  for professionals working with parents and families.
• Partnership Projects - Parenting Focus are proud to work in collaboration with other charities and organisations, as well as being part of a number of partnership projects
• Home Based Family Support -  Most families face challenges at some stage or another. Some challenges can be short term while others can be ongoing and mean that parents need to develop other parenting techniques. Family support offers an intervention support that will work with the parent to address issues and enable them to work towards a calmer home with more effective parenting.  

Home based family support aims to support families who are experiencing life challenges which impact on their family unit and can make it difficult to provide effective parenting and functioning as a family.

A family support worker can visit the parent in the family home at a time which is convenient for the parent. The worker will listen to the parent's concerns and work alongside the parent in establishing routines, communication, behaviour management techniques and support with overall emotional well-being.

How Can Family Support Help ?

• By listening
• Offering a non-judgemental perspective on family issues
• By providing tools and tips to manage challenging behaviour
• Empowering parents to make the best choices for their family
• Working with the family to implement workable solutions
• Supporting the parent to change patterns of parenting so they can parent more effectively
• Signposting to relevant services who can help the parent with practical help or financial support

Where is Parenting Focus home based Family Support Available ?

Family Support - Home Visiting is available in the Belfast and Southern Trusts (Banbridge, Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown areas).

How Can I Access Family Support ?

You can self-refer through contacting the local Family Support Hub in your area or ask your G.P, Health Visitor or school to make a referral to your family support hub coordinator.

You can get in touch with Parenting Focus in a number of ways :-

Support Line: 0808 8010 722 Available Monday – Thursday 9:30 am – 3:30 pm and Friday 9:30 – 12:30 pm

Office number: 028 9031 0891 Available Monday – Thursday 9 am – 4:30 pm and Friday 9 am – 2 pm

Enquiries from parents or professionals regarding services or support: help@parentingni.org

General enquiries: info@parentingni.org

If you are a professional who would like to make a referral you must complete a Referral Form (at parentingfocus.org.)