Parenting support

The Solihull Approach

The Solihull Approach is about emotional health and wellbeing support for all children, parents, carers and grandparents through many free online courses and resources.

Relationships shape who we are. They help our brains to learn all sorts of things. Relationships are especially important in our early years as our brains, and the building blocks for our emotional health, are shaped by everything we absorb from our environment and develop most rapidly in the first two years of life and throughout childhood, accelerating again in adolescence. 

The Solihull Approach has a website called 'inourplace' where you can get parenting advice from pregnancy until your child is 19 years old. You can get guidance on your child’s physical and mental health to help improve relationships from before they are born to early adulthood.

This service is for Derby city families and professionals only. The courses and website can be translated into the parents’ choice of language. Derby’s Family Hubs will also offer some face-to-face workshops.

More information, including how to register and access the online courses and resources can be found on the inourplace/Derby website. Use the access code: MARKEATON to sign up for free.

Watch this video to find about the Solihull Approach and its training in emotional health and wellbeing for children.

Relate Chatbots

Relate has created a suite of AI tools aimed at supporting partners or co-parents, separated co-parents, couples and carers to communicate more effectively, see things from the child’s perspective, and stop unnecessary arguments before they happen. Relate has created three AI tools that help you handle problems with your partner or co-parent. Share what you're going through and get answers, support, and advice to help you get through conflicts.

'Relate Chatbot' is an AI tool which offers provides expert co-parenting advice and practical support, along with recommendations of relevant articles, books, and online resources.

Chat to 'In the middle' bot that helps parents understand how their child sees their relationship. With a small amount of information and zero judgement, you can learn how your child might be feeling.

Chat to 'Sounding board' bot made for parents who are having disagreements. This tool helps you write emails, text messages, or get ready to talk with your partner or co-parent. It is here to help you keep your messages clear, polite, and positive.

Positive Parenting Relationships

Positive Parenting Relationships is a toolkit of resources for those experiencing relationship difficulties. This could be with a current partner or co-parent, or even someone who has a stepped into a parenting role for your child such as stepparents, grandparents, other family or friends.

When relationships are difficult, communication has broken down and there are lots of arguments, stress or tension, it can affect the mental and physical health, overall wellbeing of parents and children. Whilst this video is from another local authority, it demonstrates experiences of children nationally.

Healthy relationships - Reducing parental conflict

Certain negative communication styles are so lethal to a relationship that Dr. John Gottman calls them the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This short video demonstrates some of these behaviours and how to move forward to resolve them.

Parental consultation relationship support

If you would like to give feedback on where you access relationship support, complete this short online form.

For those that are neurodiverse or have partners with neurodiversity needs, the St James Centre runs a Neuro Hub where you can access support. Email neurohub@stjamescentre.org.uk or telephone 07561 856320.

Free local couples therapy

Couples Therapy and Counselling - Derby Talking Therapies

National Support

Living separate, considering separating or already separated

Support around health and wellbeing

If you are worried for your own or your child’s safety, please seek support from the police, a safe contact in your community or contact Children's Social Care on 01332 641172 or if out of hours, you can call Careline on 01332 786968.