Peaky Parents / Kactus Kids - formerly known as Your Child Freedom Programme (YCFF) and other previous names - Child anxiety programme

[Daaxy]

My son was showing signs of anxiety and I was looking for help for him. I came across an ad on Facebook - Kids Anxiety Disorder Solutions. I watched an hour long webinar and then had a lengthy telephone appointment - this was the point that Peaky Parents was introduced.. The programme comes very close to guaranteeing that your child will be cured within around 8 weeks. it costs either £2500 or £5500 depending on the level of support your child needs. Some aspects of the engagement/sales process with Peaky Parents made me feel uncomfortable - I wanted to do some research on the company before signing up. I came across the link referred to at the start of the thread which has lots of views and information about YCFF, now Peaky Parents.

I would not have come across this information if at the time I had just been researching Peaky Parents. I do not know the reason for the name change.

Radio 4, File on 4, is broadcasting a programme on 21/9/21 at 8pm called Mental Health Profiteers - based on this organisation I believe.

If you are thinking of signing up with Peaky Parents I would suggest you look at the YCFF thread before making a decision.

Concerns expressed about Peaky Parents on the YCFF link include:-

high pressure selling to vulnerable people - specific aim to create a 'marketing machine' to sell this online programme

encouraging vulnerable parents to put themselves under financial pressure to raise funds for the programme

bold statements, approaching a guarantee, that the programme will work, with no evidence to back this up

blaming parents for the programme not succeeding for their child
lack of qualifications held within the organisation

young people giving personal video reviews

lack of professionalism - emotive language designed evoke guilt

criticism of other professional services

no regulation

Yes @CultureVulture72 this is the same organisation link I posted a few days ago.

It’s the same company (registered as Tomwill holdings Ltd). They keep changing their name for the reason’s previously stated.

Absolutely right. It’s completely preying on the vulnerable. The brainwashing and the language they use is disgraceful. Someone shared the telephone conversation dialogue they use too, it’s worse than selling timeshare property! I can’t understand why the police or some other fraud unit aren’t involved and can’t stop them!

God they are like a virus. Mutating all the time to avoid detection. Good to share, riley. Although it also makes me sad that they appear more professional. What we need is a Netflix documentary about them.

Great idea @LittleSnakes - who knows someone at Netflix..??!!

I don’t know anyone unfortunately. Anyone else know anyone??

Bloody hell @Twoandtwois6 - I'm so sorry that you're going through this but I've just listened to the programme and it's jaw dropping. I'm so glad there is media coverage. It's appalling this is so unregulated

It’s shocking what they’re trying to put two through.

Thanks guys

Honestly, two the cheek of them astounds me. As if you don’t have enough to deal with. Btw, can’t remember if I said before that I’d name changed. It’s swan from before.

Ahhh, I needed the reminder

I hope you’re ok two.

It didn’t help us. It just added anxiety.

We paid the money. The program is as bad as everybody is saying.

What about an attorney?

You were vulnerable with a DH with cancer and a child with anxiety.
This isn't really your fault.
Hopefully someone can advise you on legal routes. It may be that a stern solicitors letter gets some traction.
How is your DD doing now (and your DH?).

@NettieRE You're not alone. I am mad at myself for signing up. We lost a lot of money as it was never going to work with our autistic child.

It's only their fault that they have financial troubles. And you are not a moron for signing up!! Like many of us you were/are in a very vulnerable place.

I know of families who joined after us who have had refunds. There is a process. You could try CAB or if you paid by credit card try them.

So many inappropriate and potentially harmful things have been said or emailed out by this company to young people and their parents.

I have personal experience of Sam getting involved in the medical side and personal side of my life with no knowledge or qualifications to do so.

You aren't alone and I expect there are many more like us who do not come onto Mumsnet to voice their experience.