ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on discussing the possible future directions of parenting programmes. The current trend is one of adopting more evidence-based approaches to parenting programmes. More emphasis is being placed on the evaluation of parenting programmes in a more scientific and evidence-based manner. Concerning policy development, more emphasis is being placed on coherent and long-term (rather than piecemeal and needs-based) planning of local policy, which is expected to help social workers as well as other helping professionals have a clear direction when planning and delivering parenting programmes. Furthermore, there is more emphasis nowadays on the culturally sensitive perspective, in which programmes are preferred to be acceptable to the culture in which they are delivered. We now understand that different cultures have different ideas about how to raise a child, and this should be fully addressed in delivering and evaluating parenting programmes.
