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Latest Issue (Parents, Carers & Young People)
DSPL 1 Weekly News - an update of courses, workshops and signposting for parents and carers. Please see our website for course details or click the links on the Weekly News. Please also see our Facebook and Twitter Pages.
Are you a parent of a young person aged 0 - 25 with SEND?
The Local Offer website lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire and who can access them.
Find out more on their website: http://hertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
The services below provide a combination of early intervention and more specialist support for children and young people's mental health. Click the service name to be redirected to more information.
Sensory movement classes using props, music and dance based activities to improve social interaction and expand a child's imagination.
Creative dance classes aiming to build confidence and social skills through dance routines and activities.

Family Lives are delivering 4 parenting groups and 2 workshops, funded by Herts County Council, in the Autumn term for targeted parents/carers who live in Hertfordshire or who have a child attending a Hertfordshire school.
All our programmes provide support, information and resources to parents/carers and adult family members so they can help their child reach their full potential as well as access to the wraparound support provided by our helpline, live chat and website.
Bringing Up Confident ADHD/ASD Children (6 weeks) Online group
Tuesday 12 September to 17 October, 7.00pm – 9.00pm Via MS Teams
If your child has ADHD/ASD, or you think they might, join our online 6-week group where you will receive support from other parents and gain a comprehensive understanding of ADHD/ASD and learn strategies to improve life at home and at school.
Sessions will cover :
- ADHD/ ASD - a whole-family issue
- Understanding your child’s behaviour
- Helping your child manage their feelings and outbursts
- Balancing support of siblings
- Learning about structure and routines
- Supporting your child at school
Less Shouting, More Cooperation (6 weeks) Online group
Thursday 5 October to 16 November, 7.00pm – 9.00pm Via MS Teams
Do you feel you are constantly nagging or shouting at your child to get what you need? Are you tired of losing your cool and want a calmer house? Join our free online 6- week group to learn how you can change the way you communicate with your child, respond better and feel more in control
The sessions will cover:-
- Exploring what helpful discipline is
- Recognising the triggers and responding more effectively
- Learning new parenting tools to challenge children’s behaviour
- How to negotiate and implement effective boundaries and family agreements
- How to hold boundaries and gain co-operation
Sorting Out Family Arguments (6 weeks) Online group
Wednesday 8 November to 13 December, 9.30am – 11.30am Via MS Teams
Do you feel everything ends in an argument and you are constantly trying to keep the peace? Join our free online 6-week group to help improve family communication, reduce the reactions which lead to arguments and create a culture of teamwork in your family.
Sessions will cover :
- How parents and children can be affected by conflict
- Strategies in handling and resolving conflict and anger
- Parents’ role when there is sibling rivalry and jealousy, fostering cooperation rather than competition
- Effective communication, implementing boundaries and how to negotiate
Dads Together (6 weeks) Face to Face group
Tuesday 7 November to 12 December, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Canary Club, Fishponds Road, Hitchin, SG5 1NU
As a dad do you feel you are constantly nagging or shouting at your child to get what you need? Are you tired of losing your cool and want a calmer house? Join our free online 6- week group to learn how you can change the way you communicate with your child, respond better and feel more in control
The sessions will cover:-
- Exploring what helpful discipline is
- Recognising the triggers and responding more effectively
- Learning new parenting tools to challenge children’s behaviour
- How to negotiate and implement effective boundaries and family agreements
- How to hold boundaries and gain co-operation
Anxiety around ADHD Online Workshop
Tuesday 7 November, 9.30am – 11.30am
This 2- hour workshop is for parents and carers who suspect or have received a recent diagnosis that their child has ADHD. The workshop helps parents/carers understand what ADHD is, why it makes sense for a child to be anxious if they have ADHD, strategies to help support you and your child, plus signposting to other support that is available.
Reducing Conflict Online Workshop
Thursday 7 December, 9.30am – 11.30am
Conflicts are regular occurrence within families. It’s often a normal part of everyday life. However, conflict that is frequent, intense, and poorly resolved, has a significant negative impact on children’s mental health and long-term life chances. This 2-hour workshop explores different types of conflict between couples and families. Provides support in understanding the causes and impact of parental and family conflict on children and gives practical steps and strategies that parents can take to help improve their family relationships.
We accept referrals from professionals as well as self-referrals. Please click here referral form for our online referral form
You can also email or call us on 0204 522 8700 or 0204 522 8701 for more information.
Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Louise Voyce | Senior Services Administrator (Greater London & Home Counties) | Family Lives
Direct: 0204 522 8700
Office: 15-17 The Broadway, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5HZ
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9.00 - 5.30 & Wednesday 9.00-11.30

Download information information on courses and discounts that are available this summer:
Monday sessions open to all year 6's to help get ready for year 7. Download the flyer below:
A creative space for young people's wellbeing. Download the flyer below to find out more about this informal drop in group:
Need help and not quite sure where to get it? Here is a list to help you find someone to talk to:
Our informal drop-in group is for anyone aged 12-17 who would like to explore using creativity to support their wellbeing.
When: Monday’s from 6pm-8pm
Where: LetchworthWellbeing Centre
W: www.withyouth.org T: 020 8189 8400
Imagine & Move (Age guidance 3+)
Sensory movement classes using props, music and dance-based activities to improve social interaction and expand a child's imagination. Suitable for children who need to improve their social skills and awareness of self.
Magic Movers (Age guidance 7+)
Creative dance classes using movement to explore dance styles and improve children's confidence in performing. Perfect for those who love to dance and express themselves!
Steyenage: Tuesdays, Hampson Park Community Centre
Imagine & Move: 4:30-5pm
Magic Movers: 5:15-6pm
Hitchin: Wednesdays, Westmill Community Centre
Imagine & Move: 4-4:30pm
Magic Movers: 4:45- 5:45pm
Hertford: Thursdays, Hertford Well-being Hub
Imagine & Move: 3:45-4:10pm
Magic Movers: 4:10-4:50pm
Biggleswade: Fridays, Saxon Pool & Leisure Centre
Imagine & Move: 4:30-5pm
Magic Movers: 5-5:30pm