Neurodiversity and CPA focus for headline speaker

Our headline speaker for the CPA Conference this October really is an expert when it comes to Child to Parent Abuse. Dr Amanda Holt has been researching themes relating to CPA for nearly 20 years, and even wrote the UK’s very first book on the topic! This was followed by an edited collection which focused on how to support families experiencing CPA.

A Professor of Criminology at the University of Roehampton in London, Dr Holt has been involved with PEGS for a number of years and sits on our Advisory Board, as well as being a member of the Risk of Harm committee for Family Lives.

Dr Holt recently completed a project funded by the Mayor of London which looked specifically at CPA in London where the child was of adolescent age.

Her headline speaker slot at the conference will focus on Child to Parent Abuse in Neurodivergent Contexts.

She will share with audiences the findings of her recently completed project about CPA in relation to neurodivergent children and young people. This took the form of interviews with 15 mothers from across the UK whose child or children have a diagnosis of autism, AH(H)D and/or FASD and are also displaying CPA behaviours.

As part of the research, Dr Holt explored their experiences of CPA and how the context of neurodivergence had shaped these experiences. She will also cover an overview of what parents and carers had shared with her had been helpful in terms of the support they had received.

Everyone attending the conference will also have an opportunity to take part in a Q&A at the end of Dr Holt’s session, where they’ll be able to ask her any questions about her important research.

We cannot wait to hear Dr Holt speak as we know it will provide a fascinating insight into the lives of families who are experiencing CPA and also have neurodivergent children – something professionals attending are sure to find valuable in their working life going forward.

If you’ve not yet purchased your ticket, you can do so by heading to www.pegsevents.co.uk. The conference is a virtual event which takes place on Monday 14^th October; please note, there are discounted tickets available for attendees from charities and not-for-profit organisations, and the ticket also includes access to a wealth of information on a specially-created resources platform.

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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.