Reducing Parental Conflict

The London Borough of Sutton is part of the national Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) programme, led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Conflict between parents that is frequent, intense and poorly resolved is damaging for children and young people and can result in negative outcomes that can be felt across their lives. It has been shown to negatively affect early emotional and social development, educational attainment and later employability; therefore, limiting chances for children and young people to lead fulfilling, happy lives. The focus of the RPC Programme is to tackle low-level conflict between parents which can range from a lack of emotional warmth through to swearing and shouting. Sutton is trying to reduce the need for more intensive interventions by supporting parents to learn new strategies.