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Parent & Carer Support
Do you feel like you’ve tried lots of different approaches, but things still feel stuck?
Do you feel exhausted trying to understand how your child is feeling or how best to support them?
Do you notice the impact this is having on your family life and relationships?
At SORT, we work alongside parents and carers to gently make sense of what’s been happening within your family. Together, we explore what might be sitting underneath behaviours and responses, and think about ways forward that feel more manageable and connected.
Our approach is collaborative, non-judgemental and neuroaffirming. We recognise that every child and family is different, and we work flexibly to understand each individual’s needs—rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. We aim to support you in building on your existing strengths and finding ways of responding that feel right for you and your family.
We have particular experience in supporting adoptive families and those caring for children who are, or have been, looked after. We understand that early experiences, trauma and disrupted attachments can shape how children feel, communicate and relate to others. Our work creates space to make sense of these experiences, supporting parents and carers to respond in ways that build safety, connection and understanding over time.
We start with an initial conversation to map out what’s been happening, helping us to think together about what support might feel most helpful for you and your family. You can explore the different types of parenting support below, and if you’re unsure what might fit, we’re always happy to talk things through and create a more tailored approach.
Parent/carer sessions are typically one-hour virtual sessions, at a time that works for you. Sessions can be attended by one or both parents/carers, and other supportive adults where helpful. The number of sessions varies depending on your needs—we will work together to agree goals and review progress regularly, so you receive the right level of support.
Session fees range from £80–£120.
As part of our commitment to accessibility, we offer a reduced rate scheme for families receiving Universal Credit (see FAQ section for more details). Please note, a 48-hour cancellation policy applies, after which the full fee will be charged.
Evidenced Based Parenting Programmes
We offer 2 different forms of structured, evidenced based parenting support here at SORT alongside Systemic and Family Psychotherapy and therapeutic parenting. Evidenced based interventions are those that have been researched as effective in creating lasting change.
NVR
Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) is an approach that supports parents and carers of children and young people aged 7–18.
It is particularly helpful for families where things may feel stuck, overwhelming or escalating, including when young people may be experiencing high levels of distress, anxiety, or expressing this through behaviours such as aggression, withdrawal or control. NVR has also been found to be supportive for young people with neurodevelopmental differences and eating difficulties.
Rather than focusing on changing the child, NVR supports parents and carers to feel more confident, supported and steady in how they respond. The approach helps you to:
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focus your energy on what matters most
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strengthen your support network so you are not facing things alone
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manage your own emotional responses during difficult moments
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find ways to reconnect and rebuild your relationship with your child
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A key part of NVR is learning how to respond to situations in a calm and intentional way—often described as “striking when the iron is cold”—rather than in the heat of the moment.
If you would like to learn more about NVR, please click the link below.
Incredible Years Informed
The Incredible Years programme supports parents and carers of children aged 2–8 years.
It focuses on helping children develop skills in emotional regulation, relationships and social interaction, as well as building confidence when things feel difficult and supporting them to navigate boundaries in a way that feels manageable.
The approach is grounded in play, connection and positive interaction. It supports parents and carers to guide and coach their child in developing these skills in everyday moments, building on what is already working within the relationship.
Incredible Years was developed by Carolyn Webster-Stratton and is widely used to support families where children may be experiencing difficulties with behaviour, emotional regulation or attention. It can be helpful for children with or without a diagnosis, including those who are neurodivergent.
Throughout the programme, we explore approaches such as:
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play and connection
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noticing and encouraging strengths
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setting clear and supportive boundaries
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understanding consequences in a calm and predictable way
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responding to behaviour in ways that reduce escalation and support regulation
Many parents tell us they have tried some of these strategies before. The difference within Incredible Years is in how and when these approaches are used—building skills gradually and in a particular order, allowing children time to develop confidence before moving on. This can support more consistent and lasting change for both children and parents.
If you would like to learn more about Incredible Years, please click the link below.
Other Area's of Support
Does your child experience the world in ways that can feel overwhelming at times?
Are they finding school, friendships or family life difficult to navigate?
Do you sometimes feel unsure how best to understand or support them?
At SORT, we recognise that every child is different. We work in a neuroaffirming way, which means we focus on understanding each child’s unique way of experiencing the world—rather than trying to change who they are.
Some children and young people may experience anxiety, low mood, big emotions or distress that can show up in different ways, including withdrawal, overwhelm or self-harm. Others may have a diagnosis such as ADHD, autism or sensory differences—or may be exploring whether this might be part of their experience.
We work alongside parents and carers to build a deeper understanding of what sits underneath these experiences. Together, we explore what your child might be communicating through their behaviour, and how to respond in ways that support safety, connection and regulation.
Rather than offering one set of strategies, we take a flexible and individual approach—recognising that what works for one child may not work for another. We think together about your child’s strengths, needs and environment, and how best to support them in a way that feels respectful and manageable for your family.
We can also support you in working alongside wider systems, including schools and other professionals, helping to create a shared understanding of your child and how best to meet their needs.
Emotional Needs
Does your child sometimes become overwhelmed or have big emotional reactions?
Do you find yourself unsure how best to support them or what they might need?
Children and young people don’t always have the words to explain how they are feeling. Sometimes emotions can feel big, confusing or overwhelming, and this can show up in different ways—through behaviour, withdrawal or distress.
Often, what a child is showing us on the outside is connected to something they are finding hard to make sense of on the inside.
We understand that learning to manage emotions is something that develops over time, and many children need support from the adults around them to do this. This is known as co-regulation—where a parent or carer helps their child to feel safe, understood and supported in those difficult moments.
At SORT, we work alongside parents and carers to think about what their child might be experiencing, and how to respond in ways that support emotional understanding and connection. This might include:
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noticing what your child is feeling and how it shows up
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helping them to find words for their experiences
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supporting them to feel calmer and more settled
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modelling ways of managing emotions
In our experience, this work is often most effective when it happens in the moment, with support from parents and carers, rather than only talking about things afterwards.
We also support parents to reflect on their own emotional responses, recognising that how we respond can shape how a child learns to understand and manage their feelings.
If this feels familiar, we can work with you to build confidence in supporting your child’s emotional world—helping them to feel more understood, and over time, more able to understand themselves.
Foster parents and Adoption Support
Are you a foster carer or adoptive parent finding things harder than you expected?
Do you sometimes feel unsure how to understand or support your child?
Do you notice moments where your child seems to need you close, and at other times pushes you away?
Providing a child with a safe and loving home is deeply meaningful. You are part of a life-changing journey for the children in your care. At the same time, we understand that this can feel complex, exhausting and at times isolating—especially when others may not fully understand your experience.
At SORT, we offer support to parents and carers of adopted children and those who are, or have been, looked after. We recognise that early experiences, including trauma, loss and disrupted relationships, can shape how children feel, communicate and relate to others.
Some children may experience the world as overwhelming or unsafe at times, and this can show up in different ways—through behaviour, big emotions, or difficulties in relationships. Rather than seeing this as something to “fix”, we work with you to understand what your child might be communicating and how best to respond in ways that build safety, trust and connection.
Our approach is both trauma-informed and neuroaffirming. We recognise that many children may also be neurodivergent, and we take time to understand each child’s individual profile—their strengths, needs and ways of experiencing the world—rather than relying on one set of strategies.
We support parents and carers to develop a therapeutic parenting approach, grounded in an understanding of attachment and trauma, alongside practical, everyday ways of responding that help create a sense of safety and connection within the home.
All of our specialist services for adoptive families can be funded through the Adoption Support Fund. If you would like support understanding or accessing the fund, please take a look here or get in touch—we are happy to guide you through the process.
Co-parenting
Are you struggling to co-parent with a partner or ex? Have you experienced a difficult separation that is impacting communication with a co-parent? Are struggling to navigate being a blended family with step children? Is your child having difficulties after a parental separation and changes to routine?
Co-parenting can be challenging for a number of different reasons; sometimes the routines and boundaries are different in each households. There may also be tensions between co-parents that impacts open communication. Sometimes a child/young person's relationship is different with each parent which can effect how they respond to their parents individually.
Navigating co-parenting is not easy, here at SORT we can support parents/carers from multiple households to think about how to come together in a shared parenting approach. This doesn’t mean everyone has to parent in exactly the same way but we can think about how to work towards a cohesive approach so your child knows exactly what to expect, regardless of which parent/carer they are talking to.
It is not always possible to work with everyone together so we will think with you about the best way to offer sessions and who you want to include in these sessions.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
