The successful graduates from children and young people services are now qualified to teach parents how to improve their parenting skills. Three parents who completed the programme also received their awards at the ceremony.

The Triple P programme, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour among young people, was set up in 2006, when Newham was invited to be one of 52 local authorities working closely with the Home Office on initiatives to reduce poor behaviour.

Employees were then selected and trained from different teams across the Children and Young people's department to deliver the courses to parents.

Staff were trained to teach group programmes and to do one to one sessions with parents. The training covered five modules and covered topics such as, having a safe and interesting environment, a positive learning environment, managing misbehaviour in an acceptable way, having realistic expectations and taking care of yourself as a parent.

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales said: "Evidence shows that an effective parenting programme can impact on a child or young person's behaviour throughout their life. I think this programme will have a long lasting positive effect across all areas of our community."

Courses are now being run in different parts of the borough with 40 parents currently on a course and 29 having successfully completed one. There are different programmes for parents with children of different ages, from early years to teenagers. On completing the course, parents receive a certificate and hopefully a happier family.

The courses run for eight weeks and each session lasts one to two hours. Parents are given a workbook and a task to try each week. Feedback from parents who have completed the course has been very positive. Parents who would like to take part in the course can email: tripleP@newham.gov.uk or visit www8.triplep.net