Workshop Presentation from the Evidence Based Parenting Programmes and Social Inclusion conference held at Middlesex University, 20th September 2012

1. Families and Schools
Together (FAST)
FAST
20th SEPTEMBER 2012
Elspeth Bromiley
National FAST Trainer/Supervisor
Consultant Systemic Psychotherapist
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2. 03/10/12 2

3. FAST Programme Goals
1. Enhance family functioning
2. Prevent the FAST child from
experiencing school failure
3. Reduce the stress that families
experience from daily life
4. Prevent substance misuse by
the child and family
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4. FAST Builds Protective Factors for the
Child against Risk
Strengthening family unit:
 Parent-child bond
Parent-to-parent bond
Parent support group
Parent to community
 /school trust
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5. FAST underpinning theories
 Social Ecological Theory
 Social Capital
 Family Stress
 Family Systems
 Brain Development
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6. Children do better in families which have
Hierarchy: Parent in charge
 In FAST, team coaches and supports
the parent to take the lead with children
and make requests of the children to obey
Cohesion: A child who is listened to and
feels understood is kinder to others:
◦ Family communication: I think and I feel
Conflict: take turns, be fair to others
Family Systems Theory
Minuchin, 1985 6

7. Substance
School
Abuse
Social Capital
Parent Mental Health
Liaison
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8. Partnership
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9. Social Ecology of Child Development
neighbourhood
child school
family
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10. Parents School
FAST
Team
Community-
Mental based
health agencies
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11. FAST Process
Recruitment and training of FAST parents & multi-agency team
Recruitment of families with a child aged 3-8 by local FAST team
8 weeks of multi-family meetings with supervision
Graduation
Independent evaluation by Middlesex University
Presentation of outcomes, parent panel and programme review
FASTWORKS : Additional support if needed
Continued relationships : Further cycles of FAST
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12. Family Unit at Family Table
•FAST Hello & Singing
•Meal
•Scribbles
•Feelings Charades
Parents’ Time Peer Group Kids’ Time
•Buddy Time Children divided by age
Time group for group activities
•Parent Group
Special Play One-to-One Time Siblings
continue Kids’
Time
Lottery – Family table
Closing Circle Announcements & RAIN
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13. FAMILY FLAG
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14. FAMILY MEAL
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15. SCRIBBLES
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16. FAMILY WORKING ON SCRIBBLES
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17. COMPLETED
SCRIBBLES
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18. Feelings Charades
Tired Shame Proud Surprise
Love Sad Scared
Angry Shy Disgust Happy
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19. FAMILY PLAYING
CHARADES
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20. CHILD ACTING
OUT CHARADES
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21. BUDDY TIME
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22. PARENT’S TIME
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23. KID’S TIME
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24. SPECIAL PLAY
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25. Lottery
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26. RAIN
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27. FAST Special Sessions
Week 5 - Alcohol & other
Drugs Session
Week 8 - Graduation
Ceremony
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28. GRADUATING AS A FAMILY
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29. Measures Used
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30. Present Evaluation in UK
 54schools from 22 local education authorities
(LEAs) across UK.
 1,374 families attended at least 1 session.
 1,123of these families graduated having
attended 6 or more sessions; a retention rate of
82%.
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31. 12
10
8
British Average
6 FAST Pre
FAST post
4
2
0 Pro Social Emotional Conduct Hyperactivity Peers Total Impact
SDQ – parental report

32. 9
8
7
6
5 British Average
FAST UK Pre
4
FAST UK Post
3
2
1
0 Prosocial Emotional Conduct Hyperactive Peers Total Impact
SDQ _ Teachers report

33. Mother isolated in a strange city with 3
children – attended FAST. Runs
FASTWORKS supported by other families
Parent partner very sceptical and critical
of FAST. Attended very reluctantly. Says it
is the best thing she has ever done
Mother of 2 children. Attended FAST. The
first time she has felt included in anything
since moving to the UK 8 years
previously.
Case Studies

34. FAST UK
Middlesex University
Highgate Hill
London
N19 5LW
fastuk@mdx.ac.uk
020 8411 6072
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