Working With Menjoomla templates

Funded by the Wates Foundation, Working With Men has developed and delivered a 4 session (8 hour) programme targeting lone mothers who have sons. Previously known as ‘Raising Boys’ the programme is now called ‘Boys Development Programme’.The programme aims to give mothers more understanding of their son’s development and behaviour; a series of techniques to provide their sons with boundaries and discipline and more confidence in supporting their sons through difficulties they might encounter.

Mothers have responded very well to the programme and both internal and external evaluations suggest we have a programme that enables mothers to learn a lot about their sons and parenting, without feeling judged.

Courses Available
There are presently two courses, one for mothers with sons 0 – 5 years old and the other for sons aged 5 – 11 years old.

The courses have five themes:
Differences between boys and girls and boys' development
Discipline and boundaries
Learning how to understand why boys do what they do and what motivates them to do certain things
Male role models (and do boys need them?)
Preparing for school (0-5) Education and achievement (5-11)

Working With Men have also developed a training course designed for practitioners who want to deliver the Boys Development Programme to mothers with sons who are 0-5, and are looking for 20 trainers to deliver BDP over the next two years.

Boys Development Programme – 0-5
BDP is a 4 session course offered to lone mothers of boys aged 0 - 5.  The course targets families where boys are thought to be at risk and mothers are struggling to deal with their behaviour.
Mothers leave the course with a much better understanding of their sons, much higher confidence in addressing their needs and a broad range of techniques and ways to get the best from their sons (evaluation findings).

The course addresses a number of Government priorities and Children's Centre targets, including the following:

The course works well at both level 2 (universal, but targeted) and level 3 (complex and multiple need). 
The course is promoted as an opportunity to learn about their sons, which usually means that mothers tell us about their parenting, but don’t feel judged. This also means that mothers who would not see parenting courses as being for them are more willing to attend. Hard-to-reach mums are more likely to come into Children’s Centres or Schools.
It addresses the needs of boys that are ‘not school ready’, and we have extensive experience in addressing the needs of black and minority ethnic boys.
The course addresses some critical behaviour issues that hinder and distract boys from academic achievement, particularly boundaries & discipline and motivation.
Discipline and boundary issues are addressed and impacted in such a way they do not become acute.
Courses are designed in a format such that mainstream professionals can be trained in delivering them, thus strengthening mainstream services.

Course content
The courses consist of 4, two hour sessions, is very practical and covers the following:

Session One – differences between boys and girls and boys' development
Session Two – advice and practical strategies on discipline and boundaries
Session Three – learning how to understand why boys do what they do and what motivates them
Session Four – follow up on discipline and boundaries; outlining strategies to support their sons in preparing for school.

We have evaluated 8 courses delivered through Sure Starts and Children's Centres for those mothers with 0-5’s (report available on request) and this course is now available at a cost of £900 per course.
We provide publicity material; delivery of 4 two hour sessions by an experienced facilitator; booklets and handouts for all mothers; carry out the course evaluation and write a brief evaluation report.
If you would like us to deliver a course, we would expect you to provide a suitable venue and at least 12 mothers and a crèche.

Accreditation
Mothers (if they choose) can go for accreditation, which can mean the programme can become an early step towards related qualifications.

The course is accredited through the Open College Network (WWM is a recognised centre of the NOCN).
Mothers can gain: NOCN entry level 3 award in progression (QCF) or NOCN entry level 3 certificate in progression (QCF) or NOCN level 1 award in progression (QCF) (NVQ level 1 equivalent).

Having a course delivered
If you would like us to deliver a course, we would expect the following:

For you to provide a suitable venue and crèche facilities (if appropriate);
12 mothers for the course.

What we would deliver:
Four 2 hour sessions (morning, afternoon or early evening) by an experienced facilitator;
Written materials (including copies of the booklet) for all mothers; Carry out an evaluation and provide a brief report.