Empowering Families: Supporting Parents and Carers Beyond the Classroom

At the William Henry Smith Foundation, we believe that supporting a child or young adult means supporting the whole family.

Every family experiences challenges along the way, particularly when caring for a child or young adult with additional needs. While our students receive specialist support every day in school or college, we also recognise that parents and carers benefit from opportunities to learn, connect and reflect with people who understand their journey.

That's why we've developed our Empowering Families programme.

What is Empowering Families?

Empowering Families is a series of workshops and support sessions, designed to give parents, families and carers practical strategies, professional guidance and, perhaps most importantly, a supportive community.

The sessions are led by experienced members of our team and focus on topics that families tell us matter most.

Alongside practical advice, they provide an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and build confidence in order to support children and young adults at home.

Whether you're looking for new approaches, reassurance or simply the chance to meet other families who "get it", Empowering Families offers a welcoming and judgement-free space.

More Than a Workshop

Launched in June 2026, one of the strongest messages we've heard from those attending is that they value meeting others who share similar experiences.

Many parents and carers can feel isolated, particularly if previous experiences have left them feeling misunderstood or unsupported. Our sessions are designed to change that by creating an environment where people can talk openly, celebrate successes and support one another.

These conversations often continue long after the workshop has ended, helping families build lasting connections and a valuable support network.

What can families and carers expect?

Throughout the year, Empowering Families combines structured workshops with informal meet-ups, giving parents and carers regular opportunities to access support.

Workshop topics may include:

• Building positive relationships and parental confidence - exploring ways to strengthen relationships and build confidence when supporting a child or young person with additional needs.

• Connecting with professionals and other families and carers - creating opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and learn from others.

• Parenting using the PACE approach - understanding the principles of Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy and how they can be used in everyday parenting.

• Supporting emotional wellbeing - exploring ways parents and carers can support emotional wellbeing at home.

• Sharing practical strategies to use at home - sharing approaches and ideas that can be adapted to your own circumstances.

• Understanding behaviour and de-escalation strategies - practical approaches for understanding behaviour, reducing distress and responding to challenging situations.

Alongside these themed sessions, informal gatherings (Support Sessions) provide a relaxed opportunity to reconnect after the holidays, revisit key ideas and continue building relationships with other families and carers.

As the programme grows, we also hope to expand our offer through an online option and additional workshop topics, ensuring support is accessible to as many families and carers as possible.

These conversations often continue long after the workshop has ended, helping families build lasting connections and a valuable support network.

Working together

Empowering Families is built on a simple belief: children and young people achieve the best outcomes when school and home work in partnership.

By sharing knowledge, listening to families and carers, and creating opportunities for connection, we can build the confidence, consistency and understanding that helps every young person flourish.

How to book

If you're a parent or carer, you'll receive an email invitation from the Foundation shortly, containing a leaflet with a booking link. The sessions are free of charge and at the moment, are held at the School.

Parents or carers attending on their own are also welcome to bring a supportive friend or family member with them.