East Berkshire YOTs – Individual Parallel Work
IYPP PROJECT
2. The Model
2.1 Underpinning Theoretical Principles
The Individual Parallel Programme was based on Social Learning Theory, (Bandura 1977), which focuses upon observational learning and modelling. Social Learning Theory proposes that behaviour is learned and it can either be unlearned, or new behaviours learned in its place. In practice this can be developed by encouraging good behaviour by positively reinforcing or rewarding it and reducing unwanted behaviour by discouraging it and setting sanctions or clear consequences for unwanted negative behaviours.
2.2 Programme Structure
The Parenting Worker at Bracknell Forest YOT and the Young Person’s Parallel Worker employed to work across the East Berkshire YOTs developed both the parents’ and the young person’s programme.
The material for the parenting element of the programme was based on the parenting group work programme ‘Living with Teenagers’, which was developed by the Centre for Fun and Families. Both the Parenting Worker and the Young Person’s Parallel Worker had used this programme successfully with parents prior to the IYPP Project. Permission was sought and obtained for parts of the programme to be adapted and used for individual parents from the original authors, the Centre for Fun and Families. The two workers also mixed a number of resources they themselves had used successfully with young people to develop the young person’s programme.
When a family was referred for parallel individual work, the Parenting Worker and the Young Person’s Worker met to discuss the issues within the family and plan the sessions. The work was then done with the parent and young person separately, but focussing on the same issues for each, as developed in the intervention plan. The completed programme was six weeks long for both parents and young people. The parent’s and young person’s worker met half way through the programme to review the case and amend the plan if necessary. They also met with the family upon completion to review progress.
Programme Content
The core programme for parents and young people followed the same themes on a weekly basis. The programme was individualised for each parent and young person, according to their individual needs, by selecting the worksheets/methodology best fitted to the family’s specific issues and the participants’ individual learning styles. Extra sessions for other issues can be added to the core if either an assessment, or work in the sessions, reveals it to be necessary.
The core programme consisted of the following themes:
- Week 1
- Information sharing
- Week 2
- Defining behaviour
- Week 3
- Expectations
- Week 4
- Communication
- Week 5
- Positives
- Week 6
- Looking to the future
The other YOTs involved in the East Berkshire project site were invited to add anything to the resource pack that would embrace people’s different learning styles, capabilities and cultures so that the programme was flexible and adaptable to individual needs.