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Background: The Circle of Security Parenting programme is a manualised parenting intervention that aims to enhance secure attachment and improve relationships between children and their caregivers. It is gaining global popularity and acquiring emerging support. Researchers are increasingly interested in its effectiveness in enhancing parent-child attachment, improving parent psychological flexibility and reducing parental stress. However, research to date has predominantly focused on parents of typically developing children, despite the Circle of Security Parenting intervention being used as a parenting programme in specialist services for children with learning disabilities. There is, however, no clear evidence that this programme meets the diverse needs of parents who encounter additional challenges that may impact on the development of secure parent-child attachment relationships. This case study aims to pilot a seven-session Circle of Security Parenting programme for parents of children with learning disabilities. Methods: Four participants completed pre- and post-intervention outcome measures specified by Circle of Security Parenting, including: the Parental Stress Scale, Parental Acceptance Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II and the Caregiver Helplessness Questionnaire. Findings: Quantitative results are mixed, and did not demonstrate the improvements in parental stress or psychological flexibility that might be expected. Qualitative accounts of participants' experiences offer potential explanations for the findings that may be unique to parents of children with learning disabilities. Conclusion: This paper recognises that further research is needed to identify evidence-based programmes that meet the needs of this population.

Background: The promotion of secure attachment relationships in childhood leads to better outcomes in later life (British Psychological Society 2017, "Incorporating Attachment Theory into Practice: Clinical Practice Guideline for Clinical Psychologists Working with People who have Intellectual Disabilities"). The Circle of Security Parenting Programme (COS-P) provides a clear framework for reflecting on attachment relationships (Cooper et al 2009, "Zero to Three," 37, 27). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children with learning disabilities who attended a COS-P programme to find out about their experiences of the course and how applicable it was to them. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Four key themes were identified--these related to (1) COS-P concepts are relevant to all children but (2) parenting a child with a learning disability is different and (3) COS-P can create a focus on their child as different, which can be painful, and (4) changes recommended to make COS-P suitable for parents of children with learning disabilities. Conclusions: This paper outlines the benefits and challenges of COS-P in sharing concepts related to attachment, whilst highlighting differences for parents of children and young people with learning disabilities, which can be painful.

Background: The Circle of Security Parenting programme is a manualised parenting intervention that aims to enhance secure attachment and improve relationships between children and their caregivers. It is gaining global popularity and acquiring emerging support. Researchers are increasingly interested in its effectiveness in enhancing parent–child attachment, improving parent psychological flexibility and reducing parental stress. However, research to date has predominantly focused on parents of typically developing children, despite the Circle of Security Parenting intervention being used as a parenting programme in specialist services for children with learning disabilities. There is, however, no clear evidence that this programme meets the diverse needs of parents who encounter additional challenges that may impact on the development of secure parent–child attachment relationships. This case study aims to pilot a seven‐session Circle of Security Parenting programme for parents of children with learning disabilities. Methods: Four participants completed pre‐ and post‐intervention outcome measures specified by Circle of Security Parenting, including: the Parental Stress Scale, Parental Acceptance Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II and the Caregiver Helplessness Questionnaire. Findings: Quantitative results are mixed, and did not demonstrate the improvements in parental stress or psychological flexibility that might be expected. Qualitative accounts of participants' experiences offer potential explanations for the findings that may be unique to parents of children with learning disabilities. Conclusion: This paper recognises that further research is needed to identify evidence‐based programmes that meet the needs of this population. Accessible summary: The Circle of Security Parenting (COS‐P) programme is a group for parents. It helps them to think about their child's needs and behaviour.COS‐P tries to help parents improve their relationship with their child.We do not know if it helps parents of children with learning disabilities, who often have different challenges.We used questionnaires to see if COS‐P helps parents of children with learning disabilities. The questionnaires showed that COS‐P did not help parents as much as we expected.We found that it is important to listen to what parents say about their experiences of the COS‐P programme. This helps us understand if it is useful for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: The Circle of Security Parenting (COS‐P) programme can be helpful for some parents of children with learning disabilities to think about their relationship with their child.Parenting a child with learning disabilities is different, and COS‐P can highlight this difference.This can feel painful for parents and may stop them engaging with the programme. Background: Background: The promotion of secure attachment relationships in childhood leads to better outcomes in later life (British Psychological Society 2017, Incorporating Attachment Theory into Practice: Clinical Practice Guideline for Clinical Psychologists Working with People who have Intellectual Disabilities). The Circle of Security Parenting Programme (COS‐P) provides a clear framework for reflecting on attachment relationships (Cooper et al 2009, Zero to Three, 37, 27). Methods: Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with parents of children with learning disabilities who attended a COS‐P programme to find out about their experiences of the course and how applicable it was to them. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Findings: Four key themes were identified: these related to (1) COS‐P concepts are relevant to all children but (2) parenting a child with a learning disability is different and (3) COS‐P can create a focus on their child as different, which can be painful, and (4) changes recommended to make COS‐P suitable for parents of children with learning disabilities. Conclusions: Conclusions: This paper outlines the benefits and challenges of COS‐P in sharing concepts related to attachment, whilst highlighting differences for parents of children and young people with learning disabilities, which can be painful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]