EPIC v a parenting course: what’s the difference?

A huge frustration we hear from many of our parents is that when they bravely reach out for support having found themselves experiencing Child to Parent Abuse, they are promptly told to go on a parenting course.

FACT: 53% of parents who have changed their mind about contacting a professional for support did so because they felt the professional would think their child’s behaviour was their fault.

As well as worsening the guilt, upset and blame they are already likely to be feeling, this approach is sometimes the only solution they are offered by the agencies they contact.

This reinforces the misconception that CPA is down to parenting…rather than the reality that it can be influenced by a complex range of factors which differ from family to family.

FACT: 88% of parents with multiple children only have one who displays abusive behaviours.

It’s this complexity which means that a ‘one size fits all’ approach simply doesn’t work. Often, a range of options will need to be tried before the parent sees the circumstances changing in their home for the better.

And that’s why when Michelle John launched PEGS, she set out to provide a broad scope of choices for parents – including drop ins, peer support, workshops, advocacy and PEGS’ bespoke EPIC programme.

EPIC stands for Empowering Parents in Crisis and it’s about doing exactly that.

FACT: Three quarters feel blamed for their child’s behaviour.

PEGS won’t tell you what you should be doing differently, or tell you to try something you’ve already tried or know won’t work in your household.

Instead, the sessions focus on communication, on practical steps like putting together a safety plan or recording an incident log, and on building up the confidence that may have been eroded through the parent’s experience of CPA.

FACT: Almost four in ten don’t feel confident about their parenting on a daily basis.

It’s all about that crucial word of empowerment – because so many parents feel blamed, and the lack of widespread knowledge of this type of domestic abuse doesn’t help.

Currently, we have funding to run EPIC programmes in the West Mercia and Derbyshire areas – anyone living in those regions can contact us at admin@pegsupport.com for more information about the programme. Please note funding streams do change over time, so this is subject to change in the future. We provide updates across our social media regularly about where and when programmes are running. We also have a number of specialist workshops running which are accessible for parents anywhere.

All of our statistics are from the PEGS 2021 Parental Survey.

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Allen Lane Foundation Supports New Workshop Lead Role to Expand Support for Parents

By PEGS Admin • March 18, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.