Peterborough has a strong strategic focus on reducing parental conflict. The dedicated Parental Conflict Lead, based within Children’s Social Care Targeted Support, oversees the local offer, promotes courses with partners, and supports referrals from anyone working with families. Families can also self‑refer, supported by wider marketing.
Overview
Peterborough has a strong strategic focus on reducing parental conflict. The dedicated Parental Conflict Lead, based within Children’s Social Care Targeted Support, oversees the local offer, promotes courses with partners, and supports referrals from anyone working with families. Families can also self‑refer, supported by wider marketing.
Courses are available for parents who are together, separated, or new and expectant.
Since late 2024, the Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) Programme has been delivering interventions in HMP Peterborough, led by the RPC Lead and Family Hub colleagues. Twelve prisoners have completed courses so far, including one mother in the Mother and Baby Unit.
Four evidence‑based interventions have been delivered in HMP Peterborough: OnePlusOne Arguing Better, Getting it Right for Children, Me, You and Baby Too, and Debt and Relationships.
The intention is to continue delivering these on a rolling basis. Participants have been highly engaged, keen to share experiences, and appreciative of the opportunity. Some have even requested certificates to show course completion.
Challenges
1. Lower male participation
To date, 11 female prisoners have completed an RPC course compared with one male participant. The reason for the low male take‑up is unclear. Some men on remand were unable to join because their full offence details were not yet known to staff.
2. Initial organisational barriers
Early on, prison arrangements were not sufficiently coordinated to support effective delivery. Course details—such as timings, participant numbers, and which side of the prison would host the session—were often confirmed only the day before.
Prison staff were not always clear about participation criteria, leading to last‑minute cancellations. Participants also reported that courses were not well advertised within the prison.
Solutions
A new prison staff member is now working closely with the team and confidently championing the programme. Communication has significantly improved, and clear expectations are in place. This has resulted in:
- Better promotion, with dedicated posters and longer sign‑up times.
- Clear criteria shared in advance so the right people attend, supported by a robust Domestic Abuse Safeguarding procedure.
- Agreed timelines for confirmed dates and participant information, allowing sufficient time for checks, planning, and trainer availability.
Impact
Participant engagement has been positive, with useful feedback from both those in relationships and those who are not.
- Individuals not currently in relationships reported improved understanding of healthy vs. unhealthy relationship dynamics.
- Participants completing Getting it Right for Children felt better equipped to communicate with an ex‑partner or reassured that they already use constructive strategies.
- Sessions have prompted rich conversations. Prisoners tend to share openly, which is valuable, though facilitators must work harder to keep discussions on track.
- Early groups described the course as “really useful” and said they would recommend it to others.
The prison is keen to continue into phase two, and the team is scheduled to deliver the new and expectant parents’ course on the male side next week.
Sustainability
The project will continue for the duration of local authority RPC funding, currently until March 2026. DWP has provided an additional £10,000 to support delivery from December 2025 to March 2026. Extra course dates have already been added to meet demand.
Lessons Learned and Top Tips
- A week‑long induction on working in a prison environment was invaluable for understanding safety, procedures, and vulnerability.
- Having the right prison contact—someone who advocates for the programme—is essential.
- Ensure the prison understands the need for advance notice of course dates so that:
- trainer availability can be confirmed
- serial numbers for any laptops can be submitted ahead of time
- participant checks can be completed
- including confirming no history of domestic abuse in the relationship they wish to work on
- noting that women come from across the country and may not appear on local systems, whereas men are more likely to be local.