Helping Families Pilot RCT V3
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Helping Families: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of a Psychoeducational Parenting Intervention for Families with Complex Needs
IRAS ID
197474
Contact name
Crispin Day
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South London and the Maudsely NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN14573230
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
This research focuses on parenting psychoeducation, which is a widely used approach that provides information and support to parents. Other research has shown that psychoeducation is generally effective at helping parents to understand and manage children’s difficulties. However, standard psychoeducation – which is usually provided in a group format and follows a fixed structure – is known to be less effective for families with complex needs.
The ‘Helping Families Programme’ (HFP) is a specialised psychoeducational intervention that we have developed for complex families. HFP teaches parents about child development, positive parenting and personal coping strategies using an intensive and personalised approach. Parents are seen at home in 1:1 sessions over 16 weeks. Specific strategies are selected according to participants’ individual needs and goals.
The study will involve 70 families who are identified through NHS mental health and/or local authority social services. We will select families in which a parent has long-standing emotional and relationship difficulties; and a child, aged 3-11 years, has significant emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Consenting parents will be allocated at random to receive either HFP (plus usual services) or standard care.
Both groups will be assessed at the start of the study, 4 months from the start and then 10 months from the start. Asssesments will include measures of child and parent mental health; parenting behaviour; parenting satisfaction; and quality of life. We will also assess parent-therapist relationships; participation rates in research and intervention activities; and use of additional services. Interviews with parents and professionals will examine experiences of taking part in the study.
By the end of the study, we will have reliable information about what is feasible, effective and acceptable for participants. The results will show whether HFP can and should be tested in a larger trial with a view to wider use in the NHS and social services.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0199
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion