New Beginnings is a concept which has been inspired by the Flemish organisation ‘Stobbe’. Comparative research carried out by Leigh (2013; 2014; 2017) into the way in which services are provided in Flanders, Belgium and England, found that in Flanders residential centres are effective in providing better outcomes for children and parents. The findings showed that once parents were separated from the issues they faced, they were able to see their situation differently. The classes they attended provided parents with the space they were needed to develop their own emotional resilience and improve their parenting abilities. For more information visit New Beginnings.
Dr Jadwiga Leigh is Chairperson and Programme Lead at New Beginnings. Here she writes on the concept of ‘being ready’: How do we know when parents are ready to work with us?
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