‘Innovations in Practice’ November 2024
We are delighted to announce the return of the Parents Plus ‘Innovations in Practice’ Conference. Join us online on the morning of Wednesday, 13 November 2024 – 9.15 AM to 11.30 AM.
- Be Inspired: Learn from leading practitioners pioneering new approaches in delivering Parents Plus programmes. Engage with best practice case studies from a variety of sectors including Family Resource Centres, Children’s Disability services and CAMHS. Leave motivated to apply these insights in your own practice.
- Be Informed: Hear about the latest meta-analysis of the Parents Plus evidence base and discover new research findings on the Parents Plus Healthy Families programme.
- Make an Impact: You will also have the opportunity to engage with colleagues from across sectors through interactive breakout sessions. Exchange ideas and discuss the challenges of effectively implementing parent programmes.
Whether you are already delivering Parents Plus programmes in your service or are new to our community, this interecative online session is open to you. This is a fully sponsored Parents Plus event and free to attend.
Registrations are now open.
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Here is an overview of the programme:
| 9.15 | ‘Innovations in Practice’ – Welcome and Context Prof. John Sharry, Clinical Director, Parents Plus |
| 9.20 | ‘New Parents Plus Evidence – Meta-analysis (2023) & recent Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme Research’ Prof. Alan Carr, School of Psychology, University College Dublin |
| 9.45 | ‘A preventative approach for the Management of Overweight and Obesity within the context of the Health Service Executive Model of Care – The Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme Dr. Kathy Looney, Assistant Professor, School of Psychology, University College Dublin & Dr. Adele Keating, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Our Lady’s Children Hospital Crumlin |
| 10.00 | ‘Working in Partnership with Parents in delivering the Healthy Families Programme’ in St. Kevin’s Family Resource Centre, Kilnamanagh, Dublin Yvonne Anderson, Family Support Manager & Healthy Families Facilitator Samantha Byrne, Family Support Practitioner & Healthy Families Facilitator |
| 10.15 | Interactive breakout session – working together in small online discussion groups addressing topics and challenges in implementing Parent Programmes. |
| 10.35 | ’A collaborative approach to supporting parents in separation and divorce – the Midwest Family Resource Centre Network, Parenting When Separated Project’ Ciara Kane, CEO, Northside Family Resource Centre, Limerick |
| 10.50 | ’Embracing neuro-affirming practice through the Parents Plus ADHD programme’ Lisa Whitlock, Parent Support Team – Lead Coordinator, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust |
| 11.05 | ‘Flexibility in delivery to meet the needs of families – Parents Plus Special Needs Programme with a younger age cohort’ Liza Kelly and Sinéad Wearan, HSE Children’s Disability Network Team practitioners |
| 11.20 | Closing comments and Feedback Prof. John Sharry, Clinical Director, Parents Plus |
| 11.30 | Close |
Professor Alan Carr
Professor Alan Carr is founding director of the UCD doctoral programme in clinical psychology. He has a couple and family therapy practice at the Clanwilliam Institute where he treats individuals couples and families with a range of psychological challenges across the lifespan. His research programme at UCD focuses on clinical psychology, family therapy, parent training, and positive psychology. He has produced over 25 books and 250 papers and presentations.
Dr Kathy Looney
Dr Kathy Looney is an Assistant Professor at University College Dublin and a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Children’s Health Ireland, Temple Street working in the Healthy Living with CHI Child and Adolescent Complex Obesity Service. Dr Looney has co-supervised research on the Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme. In her presentation Dr Looney will discuss the importance of the programme as a preventative approach to childhood overweight and obesity.
Dr Adele Keating
Dr Adele Keating is co-author of the Parents Plus Healthy Families Programme and a Senior Clinical Psychologist in the Endocrinology Department in Children’s Health Ireland, where she works with children with obesity. In the presentation, Dr Keating will give an overview of the Healthy Families content and discuss the research rationale behind the programme content.
Samantha Byrne
Samantha Byrne is an Early Years Educator on the management team in St Kevin’s Family Resource Centre Childcare. She has a wealth of experience working with children under five having worked in the Early years sector for over 17 years. She is passionate about providing first class quality childcare to all children and working in partnership with parents. Samantha is an accredited Parents Plus Healthy Families Facilitator. “One of the many positives of facilitating the Parents Plus Healthy Families programme is seeing first-hand the benefits of this programme for the participating families.”
Ciara Kane
Ciara Kane is CEO of Northside Family Resource Centre, a prominent FRC located in Limerick City, whose mission is to provide safe, welcoming, and supportive opportunities. She holds a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Galway and postgraduate qualifications in conflict intervention and family mediation. Ciara has a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by parents living in deprivation and poverty. Using a collaborative, grassroots, and solutions approach, she is committed to providing support and advocacy to families, empowering them to create sustainable and positive changes in their lives.
Lisa Whitlock
Lisa Whitlock has worked alongside parents for over 20 years, starting off in community playgroups then later moving into CAMHS delivering a range of parent groups. Her hope is to empower parents to understand their child and be present with them, acknowledging there is no “rule book”. Lisa manages the Parent Support Team in Gloucestershire CAMHS where up to 12 Parents Plus programmes a year are delivered. She is also a facilitator and trainer for the Parents Plus ADHD Children Programme. Lisa has two adult children and a three-year-old grandson.
Liza Kelly
Liza Kelly works in a Children Disability Network Team in Co. Laois where she facilitates the Parents Plus Special Needs programme, creating a safe space for parents to share their experiences and learn from one another. She has worked in the intellectual disability field for 30 years, starting her career in Stewarts Hospital Palmerstown, supporting young adults to live in a self-directed way, making their own choices. Following this as an advocacy officer in Inclusion Ireland, developing and promoting self-advocacy locally, nationally and at European level and with Muiriosa Foundation in Laois creating new services for school leavers with varying support needs. She is a mother of 3 teenage boys, a yoga teacher, and loves being outdoors.Sinéad Wearan
Sinéad Wearan is currently a Trainee Educational Psychologist. After spending 22 years serving in the Irish Defence Forces, Sinéad undertook a BA(Hons) Degree in Psychology, followed by an MSc in Autism in Queens University Belfast. She followed this with a HDip in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Sinéad has worked as an Assistant Psychologist in Primary Care before moving to the Children’s Disability Network Team as a Behaviour Therapist. It was in this role that she trained as a Parents Plus Special Needs facilitator, recognising the benefits immediately with families but also acknowledging this course could also serve parents of children with intellectual disability under the age of 10.
Yvonne Anderson
Yvonne Anderson is a Project Manager at St Kevins family resource centre. She started her career working in the Garda Youth Diversion programne with young people and their families involved or at risk of becoming involved in anti-social/criminal activity. In her current role she coordinates services for families including play therapy, counselling, family support, education, childhood bereavement and parental separation. She has a keen interest in development of people and working alongside them in their journey.
