PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Groups and One-to-One

The programme material was originally developed to be used with groups, but over the years increasing numbers of parenting workers have found it indispensable for working on a one-to-one basis with parents.

Basics of the Programme

Take 3 is a parenting course in two parts for parents of young people aged between 10 and 18:

• Part 1 – a basic course consisting of ten ‘core’ sessions

• Part 2 – ten extra ‘pick and mix’ sessions focusing on specific issues which can be added to the basic course

Structure of the Sessions

All sessions in Part 1 are planned to last for two hours with a 10-minute refreshment break; although this never seems long enough, especially with a large group of parents, and ideally each session would last for 21/2 hours.

The training sessions on both parts of the course are supported by a comprehensive pack of materials with detailed guidance for facilitators and support material for participants. A typical session has the following elements:

Start of Session

Each session starts with:

• objectives for the session

• summary of content and timing

• a list of what facilitators will need for the session

• key points for parents.

Notes for facilitators

Detailed notes provide general background and theory to the session as well as specific notes on the different activities.

Warm-up

A game or 'round' to break the ice and help parents relax: sometimes related to the session topic, sometimes 'neutral' and inviting playfulness and laughter. Some groups opt to start off with a relaxation exercise instead or move straight on to the next activity.

Download and Feedback

This very important sharing part of the session allows parents to talk about their families, how they are feeling and how they have got on with practising a new skill or strategy since the last session. It also gives time for them to get to know each other and feel supported, and it contributes to group bonding.

Getting in Touch

We usually introduce the main topic for the session with an exercise which puts parents in touch with their own feelings and experiences around that topic, perhaps discussing in pairs or threes how they cope with a particular problem, or remembering how they were treated as adolescents.

‘Teenagers in Trouble’

This course includes clips from the Young People in Focus DVD Teenagers in trouble. The Take 3 Programme can of course also be run on its own without the DVD (equally the DVD can be used on its own without the Take 3 programme!).

Session Activities

In these activities facilitators invite discussion, reflection and problem-solving, either in the whole group or in twos or threes, by asking parents to consider their own situations, or by giving them scenarios, written down or in clips from the DVD.

Takeaway Tasks

An important part of learning and changing is for parents to test the ideas discussed in each session by practising new skills and strategies at home.

End of Session

Most sessions end with a relaxation exercise, which tends to be popular with both facilitators and participants!