The Global Parenting Initiative (GPI), in collaboration with University of Cape Town (UCT), Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH), and Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA), hosted an engaging workshop at the South African Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (SA-ACAPAP) Congress 2026, focusing on innovations in parenting programmes to improve children’s safety and mental health.
Bringing together practitioners, researchers, and implementers from across South Africa, the session combined evidence, practical demonstrations, and interactive discussion. A key highlight was the exploration of the science behind parenting interventions, where participants examined the mechanisms through which programmes reduce harsh parenting and strengthen positive caregiver-child relationships.
Live demonstrations of core PLH techniques, such as praise and reward, offered hands-on insight into how evidence-based strategies are applied in real-world settings. Participants also engaged in a digital demonstration, experiencing how tools like ParentText are expanding access to parenting support through mobile technology.
Discussions throughout the workshop centred on adapting programmes for diverse contexts, including language, culture, and sensitive issues such as intimate partner violence. Participants reflected on the importance of flexibility in delivery, particularly as programmes shift toward hybrid and digital formats.
Conversations emphasised the need for sustained investment in workforce development, including training, supervision, and organisational readiness. Attendees shared experiences and challenges from their own contexts, and shared their views on what it takes to successfully deliver and scale parenting programmes.
This workshop contributed to GPI’s commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions that support safer, healthier environments for children worldwide.
Well done team!