The Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, in collaboration with Positive Parenting Malta and the Department of Child and Family Studies within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta, is funding and facilitating the PasP Programme. This investment highlights the government’s commitment to strengthening family relationships as a cornerstone of child wellbeing and development. This initiative is taking place following Dr Ingrid Lanfranco’s PhD research, which demonstrated the programme’s effectiveness on child and family wellbeing in the Maltese context.
The Parents as Partners (PasP) Programme is an evidence-based initiative designed to support couples with young children in developing healthier relationships both as partners and as parents. Recognising the impact of relationship quality on child development, this programme equips parents with the necessary skills to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts constructively, and create a nurturing home environment.
The PasP programme runs for 16 weeks, with weekly two-hour sessions, offering a safe and supportive space for couples to explore their parenting dynamics, relationship strengths, and areas for growth. The programme is led by trained and experienced clinicians, ensuring professional guidance tailored to the needs of each couple.
The programme encourages couples to reflect on their interactions—not only as partners but also in their role as parents. By focusing on their relationship dynamics, couples gain insights into how their behaviour and communication styles impact their children’s emotional and psychological wellbeing. PasP helps parents develop a united approach to parenting, minimising conflict-driven stress in family life.
Recognising the programme’s positive impact, the Ministry and Positive Parenting agreed with the Department of Child and Family Studies to train programme facilitators. This initiative which is led by Dr Ingrid Lanfranco was approved by the Academic Programme Quality Assurance Committee of the University of Malta.
The aim of Positive Parenting Malta is to scale up PasP so that more couples across Malta can benefit from this transformative experience during their crucial early years of parenting. The long-term vision is to make PasP a nationwide initiative, with the involvement of employers and various entities in supporting parents.
Since its launch, the PasP Programme has successfully conducted two facilitator group trainings and three parent groups – with the fourth parent group starting soon, demonstrating its effectiveness and growing demand. Research consistently supports the idea that investing in couple relationships enhances parenting quality, ultimately leading to a more stable and nurturing family environment for children.
With a strong evidence base and a growing network of trained facilitators, Positive Parenting Malta aims to expand PasP further, ensuring that more families across Malta have access to this invaluable support. By strengthening couple relationships, PasP is not only helping parents navigate the challenges of raising children but also ensuring that children grow up in more harmonious and emotionally secure homes.
