For 25 years, the SFSC team at the Race Equality Foundation has delivered its evidence-based and inclusive Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities parenting programme. The programme recognises that the communities around families can offer positive and nurturing support, but they can also be a source of negative influence, and where the roots of inter-generational racism and violence can exist. SFSC’s programme equips parents with the knowledge and skills to help their children build healthier and safer relationships within both their families and the wider community, while developing stronger self-esteem, better social skills and greater self discipline. This approach directly supports the Race Equality Foundation’s mission to positively transform the lives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic families and tackle racism.
The team’s six week online delivery has expanded this reach. The team now offers two online courses:
- An introduction to SFSC, which provides a lighter touch version of the 13-week in-person parenting programme
- Stronger Relationships, which supports parents and carers in improving communication and co-parenting to reduce the harmful effects of parental conflict on children
Originally developed out of necessity during the Covid pandemic, the online programmes remove the physical and logistical barriers that can prevent busy working parents and carers attending in-person sessions. . Their flexibility has enabled the team to respond quickly to emerging needs – for example, running groups tailored for parents and carers of neurodivergent children or groups for parents and carers of Year 6 students worried about the transition to secondary school.
Funding for the courses is available through Local Authority annual licences, which allow unlimited numbers of parents in a licensed area to access one or both courses. The team is keen to expand the number of licensed areas to ensure high-quality, accessible parenting support is available to every community.
For more information on the courses or the licensing model, please contact Eleni Bloy, online course and parental conflict lead: eleni.sfsc@racefound.org.uk
