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Barriers

Find tactics to address common barriers to engagement with parenting programmes in your local authority.

Administrative and procedural barriers

Complicated, lengthy, or confusing referral processes can hinder participation. Digital challenges, such as limited access to or familiarity with online systems, may create additional obstacles.

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Competing demands and limited mental bandwidth

High stress, fatigue, or competing responsibilities can leave parents with limited capacity to engage. Parenting support may not be prioritised when other demands are pressing.

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Cultural fit and inclusion

Engagement can be limited when outreach, materials, or content do not reflect families’ cultural or linguistic context. Programmes may feel irrelevant, unhelpful, or misaligned with parents’ existing practices and beliefs.

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Distress and mental health barriers

High stress, mental health challenges, or feelings of helplessness can limit capacity to engage. Multiple pressures - such as housing issues, unemployment, or exposure to violence - further reduce participation.

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Distrust of services

Concerns about child removal, privacy, or previous negative experiences can make parents wary of engaging. Worries that personal information may be shared with social or statutory services further reduce trust.

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Lack of appeal to identity

Negative language, implied judgment, or failure to highlight benefits can make programmes feel unwelcoming. Services perceived as aimed primarily at women may leave fathers or other groups feeling excluded.

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Lack of knowledge of the programme

Limited awareness or understanding of a programme can prevent engagement. Factors include low visibility, poorly targeted promotion, unclear purpose, misconceptions about who the programme is for, and uncertainty about access - particularly for low-income or less-connected families.

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Lack of social support

Discouragement from partners or family can reduce motivation to participate. Fathers in particular may experience low encouragement from their partners.

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Language and literacy

Information that is unavailable in relevant languages or difficult to understand can prevent engagement. Negative or stigmatising language and low literacy levels create additional barriers.

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Limited access and outreach

Scarce programme availability, particularly in rural areas, can limit engagement. Insufficient promotion, lack of proactive recruitment, and reliance on self-referral can further restrict access.

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Low self-efficacy and confidence

Worries about lacking the skills to implement strategies or support a child’s learning can reduce engagement. Limited feedback on correct practice further undermines confidence.

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Not perceiving benefits in attending

When the time, effort, or costs of attending outweigh perceived benefits, parents may not participate. This often occurs when the value or relevance of the programme is unclear.

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Parent’s readiness

Lack of readiness or perception that parenting support is not a priority can limit participation. This is especially true for fathers or those who do not perceive any problems needing attention.

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Practical and logistical barriers

Transportation difficulties, long distances, lack of childcare, and financial costs can make attendance difficult. These issues particularly affect low-income families.

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Quality of relationship with facilitators

Poor rapport, unfamiliarity, or distrust of staff perceived as ‘outsiders’ can reduce engagement. Barriers also arise when facilitators lack training, confidence, or motivation to support resistant families.

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Stigma

Feeling judged or labelled as ‘inadequate’ or ‘failing’ can deter participation. Certain groups, such as fathers or young mothers, may be particularly affected, and support is often seen as a ‘last resort.’

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Time, scheduling and work commitments

Attendance can be hindered by work commitments, scheduling conflicts, or inflexible programme times. Dual-earner or large families may find daytime sessions particularly challenging.

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