Partner profile: Parent Centre

Could you give a brief history behind the Parent Centre, particularly why it formed?

The Parent Centre (TPC) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention of violence against children, which is in turn linked to the prevention of other societal problems such as crime, gender-based violence (GVB), substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and HIV infection. 

TPC was founded in 1983 by Child Welfare. Our prevention work is focused on empowering parents and caregivers to be confident in their parenting role, to be responsible and involved parents who are able to build positive, loving relationships with their children and manage their children’s behaviour effectively and without using violent methods of discipline. 

We believe that all families, even the most vulnerable and overburdened, can thrive with the necessary support and guidance; that all children and youth have unlimited potential and will flourish in a secure family environment; and the best place for any child is in a stable home with effective, nurturing and resilient parents and caregivers.

Could you share a bit on your fatherhood programme, what necessitated it? What has been its impact?

Our fatherhood programmes established because of a growing concern about the impact of father absence on families and society. In South Africa, for instance, many children are raised without their biological fathers, leading to various social and emotional challenges.

The Parent Centre Fatherhood Programme seeks to encourage fathers to build healthy relationships with their children whether they live with them or not – and we reach over 150 fathers each year through this programme. 

This work is important because programmes focusing on fatherhood have been shown to enhance parenting skills, leading to better relationships between fathers and their children. Initiatives promoting fatherhood have encouraged more fathers to take an active role in their children's lives.

How do you connect with like-minded organisations?

We have partnered with a number of other organisations doing great work. For example, we partnered with Sonke Gender Justice for staff development and training. We also worked with the University of the Western Cape, which helped us in developing a framework to include fathers in policies and programmes in South Africa. In 2024 we partnered with the Centre for Early Childhood Development, training professionals and parents to encourage fathers to be more involved in ECD centres.

We value collaborating with like-minded organisations on projects, resources and events that align with our shared goals and objectives.

Currently, we are in discussion with an organisation in Hanover Park to share training materials and are working to establish partnerships with two organisations in the Langa community. Both of these organisations will assist recruiting parents, securing a training venue and providing equipment for the fatherhood training. 

The University of Cape Town has approached TPC for a research project and we are helping a master’s degree student with her research. We also work with Inside Out, an organisation supporting men who work with other men dealing with trauma.

TPC staff also attend the National & Western Cape Violence Preventions forum meetings and we are a member of South African Parenting Programme Implementers Network (SAPPIN).

To find out more:

Website: https://theparentcentre.org.za