Adult to Parent Familial Abuse (APFA)

APFA (Adult to Parent Familial Abuse) supports families where the adult child (aged 18-25) is showing abusive behaviour towards a parent/carer, including elder and siblings abuse. APFA is delivered by RISE Mutual in partnership with the London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey.

APFA is an intervention where practitioners support the family to build resilience, improve communication, and develop empathy, increasing wellbeing. APFA practitioners will deliver up to 16 sessions with the adult child and parent/carer.

APFA uses:

• Trauma & Attachment Theory
• Cognitive Behavioural Theory
• Feminist Theory Social Learning Theory
• Non-violent Resistance.

Suitability

Individuals aged 18-25 who have been identified as displaying abusive behaviour towards their parents, siblings, or other family members.

Adult child needs to be living in the home.

For circumstances where the person showing abusive behaviours is younger than this, please refer to our CAPVA programme, suitable for 11-17- year-olds (professional referral only)

Parent/carer sessions

Parent/carer sessions use a person centred approach, including:

• Full suitability assessment
• Safety planning and referrals to appropriate services
• Priority of concerns and risks
• Self-care sessions and action planning
• Support networks and community support to address isolation

Adult child session

The programme is split into three modules, including:

Module 1:

• Assessment for suitability and preinvention questionnaire
• Decision-making- thoughts, feelings and behaviour

Module 2:

• Thinking styles and taking personal responsibility
• Beliefs and consequences – cultural perspectives
• Developing self-awareness and empathy
• Skills for self-management

Module 3:

• Assertive communication
• Healthy Conflict resolution
• Coercive behaviour – including gaslighting Impact of abuse on child