Parent Peer Support – Birmingham & West Midlands

We offer peer support for parents and carers in the West Midlands who are struggling emotionally. Connecting with other parents can help you feel less alone.

Much of our parent peer support can also be accessed in the UK and internationally.

Instant support

Beacon Family Services CIC have supported a wide range of struggling families, including:

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Families who are worried about their child's anxiety, emotional wellbeing or mental health

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Parents / carers struggling with their child's behaviours or Childhood Challenging Violent and Aggressive Behaviours (CCVAB)

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Families experiencing a life change, such as illness, divorce or a bereavement

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Fostering, adoptive or blended families looking for support to develop new relationships

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Families looking for support with neurodivergence, such as Autism or ADHD, or disabilities

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Parents / carers who would like to deepen their relationships and be a more connected parent

If you are struggling with family life, please browse our support services and resources below. Learn more about what we offer, and fill out the relevant enquiry forms below to get in touch.

Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form and we will get back to you to discuss your family's needs. You can access our support immediately in our INSTANT SUPPORT section which is filled with information, advice and resources to support families.

Click here to find out more about who we are and what we do.

Funded support provided by our valued funders

Peer Support for Adoptive Parents Living with Challenging and Aggressive Behaviour

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Supportive community

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Share advice and resources

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Non-judgmental safe space

Parenting a child with experience of early adversity that has travelled through the care system can be difficult. Many families experience challenging, violent and aggressive behaviour from their children and this experience leaves many adoptive parents isolated and struggling.

This is a weekly online support group on Facebook for adoptive parents. Join a peer community where you can share lived experience, challenges, strategies and mutual support. Hosted by Al Coates, the group looks at topics that matter to families in a frank and forthright manner as well as identifying strategies to help. Al draws on his experience and training as a social worker and NVR practitioner to lead through the sessions.

Weekly Open Sessions

Every Monday 12pm (noon) to 1pm hosted on Zoom
2nd Monday of every month 8-9pm hosted on Zoom

Attending weekly open sessions

You need to fill in this quick form with a few details. By filling in the form, you will gain access to Zoom links for open sessions. Your online privacy will be respected. We will never spam you or share your email.

Open Sessions Form

Facebook Group

In addition to the weekly open sessions, we have a dynamic and active peer support Facebook group for adoptive parents caring for children with challenging and aggressive behaviour. You are welcome to join at any time.

Join Facebook Group

Online • Free • West Midlands and UK

Our support group for adoptive dads is run by Al Coates & Pete Brindley. It offers a monthly online support session. The group is open to all struggling adoptive dads in the UK, with future in-person meetups being considered depending on regional locations.

Online group sessions:

Last Monday of every month
8-9pm
Join the group to get a link for attending sessions

ABOUT THE GROUP: Parenting can be hard. Adoptive dads raising children with additional needs which are being expressed through Childhood Challenging and Aggressive Behavour (CCVAB) can often feel isolated and struggling with challenges unique to their experience as a dad. This online peer group is a safe place to talk about those challenges, get some support, ideas and hear from other dads.

Learn more

Connect for Kids: Group Theraplay®

In person • Funded

Some children need extra support with social and emotional development. Playing with parents and peers in these sessions can build children's confidence and resilience.

Enquire here

Learn more

Individual Family Therapy:

Relational and play therapies for families who have no other means of access

In person • Funded

Expert therapeutic support to make sense of your child's needs and strengthen relationships. UK-based, available in the West Midlands. All of the support delivered by Beacon Family Services is inclusive and suitable for all families, including those with diagnosed and / or undiagnosed neurodiversity.

Enquire here

Learn more

Being a parent

Supporting your child in education and school

Back to school transition tips (shared from Adoption UK with permission)
Managing after school overwhelm
How to use Pupil Premium school support for care-experienced children

Parenting tips and help with strengthening relationships

Managing sibling relationships
How to get your kid to sleep
Why feeling safe is important
The benefits of outdoor play and den building
Using the lumin&us® app when your child is struggling

Polyvagal theory and your child's needs and behaviours

Mental health and neurodivergence

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Our blog

“We are a lot more communicative about our feelings, and take steps towards being heard and showing love more when there are huge emotions. We are now able to deal with big feelings in a much more productive way which has helped us come together as a family unit.”

Parent accessing support

Join our community

5th May 2025