Parenting programmes have been shown to have wide-ranging benefits, including the
prevention of behavioural and emotional problems in children as well as child maltreatment. The
majority of research conducted on parenting programmes is from high-income countries, with
little available knowledge on programmes within low- and middle-income countries, such as
South Africa. This study sought to identify, as far as possible, the range of parenting programmes
offered in South Africa and investigate their design and evaluation practices in relation to best
practices. It also sought to identify high-quality programmes which could be scaled-up
successfully. This is particularly important in South Africa due to the country’s high rates of
violence and child maltreatment. Through the use of snowball and convenience sampling
procedures, 21 programmes located across the country were recruited into the study. Included
programmes were group-based and located in either the non-profit or commercial sector. They
contained specific parenting components or curricula aimed at reducing negative parenting,
teaching positive parenting strategies or improving parent-child attachment and relationships.
Information on programmes was collected via telephonic and face-to-face interviews with
programme staff. The main focus areas of the interview included: needs assessment; programme
design and content; facilitator training, supervision and delivery; monitoring and evaluation; and
replicability and scalability. Data was analysed using frequency counts and thematic analysis.
Programme materials were also collected from programmes, and their content was reviewed and
assessed. The study revealed that local programmes tended not to be based on solid theoretical
frameworks and often had limited or no monitoring and evaluation processes in place. Local
programmes would be strengthened by incorporating practices associated with programme
effectiveness. None of the participating programmes were at a point where they could be scaledup
successfully. This was largely because programmes did not have evidence of efficacy and
effectiveness. The study concludes with recommendations for practice and research, which
include the importance of building the evidence base on parenting programmes in low- and
middle-income countries.