CHSCP: Group A/B/C - Parental Mental Illness: Impact on Parents, Parenting Capacity and Children’s Development

Aims of the course:

Designed to increase the awareness surrounding the prevalence of different types of mental disorders experienced by parents and carers, this course aims to outline different types of mental disorders, discuss how they may manifest in parents, and the impact parental mental illness has on children and young people. The teaching will examine the cultural, social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of mental health disorders affecting parents and children, as well as potential safeguarding concerns from a multiagency perspective.

By the end of the session delegates will:

• understand common experiences, and signs of emotional distress and mental illness amongst parents,
• be able to identify triggers to emotional distress; physical illness, trauma, and conflicts affecting parents and children,
• have examined the impact of the Covid pandemic on parental mental distress and considered the toxic trio comorbidities,
• understand the prevalence and impact of depression and other mental disorders including personality disorders and other dual diagnoses on adults, parenting, and safeguarding concerns,
• be aware of the impact of mental illness on a child and young person’s cognitive, emotional and social development,
• understand the role of culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and gender in the presentation of parental mental illness and impact on children,
• have explored how parental capacity is affected by parental mental illness,
• recognise and be able to assess the impact of disproportionate mental disorders amongst parents from black and minority ethnic communities
• have examined approaches to breaking the generational cycle of trauma, self-harm and distress using the THRIVE model,
• have discussed local CSPR and case reviews in group work using case study analyses to explore risks associated with parental mental ill health and strategies to improve safeguarding and positive well being outcomes,
• understand the dynamics and risks associated with working with parents who live with recurring and serious mental distress,
• have knowledge of effective policies and strategies that can be implemented across disciplines and agencies to improve services to children and families affected by parental mental illness and improving safeguarding concerns,
• have explored local and other holistic interventions for parents, children affected by mental health issues in a multi- agency and disciplinary perspectives in health, social care, education, and criminal justice.

A Note about Groups:

• Group A training is for people who are in contact with or work regularly with children and young people and with their parents/carers
• Group B training is for people who work regularly with children and young people and adults who are parents/carers and may have particular responsibility for safeguarding children
• Group C training is for designated safeguarding leads and managers in organisations employing staff to work with children and families or with responsibility for commissioning or delivering services.

This course is for colleagues that fall into group A, B, or C.