Emma Glendinning Operational Lead for Wiltshire Tori Joel NSPCC Implementation Manager
Background of Baby Steps Developed in 2009 following a DH commissioned systematic review looking at antenatal education. Initially targetted at the most vulnerable families. Research based and evaluated on it s outcomes. Runs as the universal education programme for pregnant women in Blackpool, Lambeth and Jersey. Targetted in Leeds, Bradford, Warwickshire, Swindon and Wiltshire.
What is Baby Steps? Baby Steps is a perinatal parenting programme for parents who will benefit from extra help in pregnancy and early after birth. The overall aim is to: Optimise parents and babies health and wellbeing and promote protective factors against child maltreatment including sensitive parenting and secure attachment. It aims to achieve this by engaging meaningfully with parents in the context of their everyday lives.
Designed by the NSPCC and Warwick university it consists of 6 antenatal sessions, 2 home visits and 3 postnatal sessions
Baby Steps programme aims to work with families by: Having two dedicated co-workers for each programme who build consistent trusting working relationships Offering participative techniques to motivate, influence behaviours and lift barriers to lifestyle change. Engaging meaningfully with men and women throughout their journey to parenthood so that all-round family health is enhanced within social networks. Utilising research evidence into the transition to parenthood, infant development and family health and wellbeing Identifying need and referring for additional specialist support
Structure of the programme
How have we implemented it in Wiltshire? Commissioned by the local authority Wiltshire Council Launched in 2015 Partnership working between 5 agencies Salisbury Foundation Trust maternity services host the programme, provide the programme lead, administrator and a midwife facilitator Royal United Hospital Foundation Trust provide a midwife to facilitate Virgin Care provide a health visitor to facilitate The Rise Trust host the groups in their Children s centres and provide a family support worker to facilitate Spurgeons host the groups in their Children s centres and provide a family support worker to facilitate Project group with leads from all partners meet quarterly
How do we recruit to the programme? Midwives are the main referring professionals. Health visitors, children s centre workers, GP s, social workers also refer families. Promotion of the programme to the midwives and to women via social media. Self referral from women, often because a friend has recommended after attending herself.
Reasons for referral 2017/18 Mental Health Social isolation Domestic Abuse Substance Misuse Migrant Learning difficulties Offenders/ ex-offenders Homeless Gypsies/Travellers Care system Unemployed Poor living conditions/financial hardship Teenage pregnancy Other
How does it benefit parents? Baby Steps aims to: Enhance bonding and attachment laying down a positive foundation for the parent/infant relationship Enhance couple relationships through introducing talk and listen time Enhance mental wellbeing introducing mindfulness and healthy life choices Help parents understand pregnancy and their baby s development Teach parents some practicalities of parenting using interactive activities. Provide opportunities to make friends and gain social support
Feedback from parents Brilliant group even if you re a 2nd time Mum! I think that Baby Steps is a wonderful idea and a great help to new parents such as myself. Nobody ever tells you exactly how to be a parent and it can be a very scary time. Baby Steps has helped me to build the confidence I require and has helped me to focus on the excitement as opposed to the fear. The facilitators were approachable making it easy to learn and make friends in the group. The sessions were informative and practical, easy to understand and realistic. I wish everyone had this opportunity while pregnant/expecting. It has really helped with my anxiety and made me feel more prepared for the baby arriving. Surprised how much I enjoyed the sessions and group discussions. It s been a great help! Also been great meeting other people in the same situation. I've really enjoyed coming to these sessions. I've made friends and feel like this will help after the baby is born.
The whole course has been fantastic. Very informative and great for calming our nerves about what is 'normal' and to be expected. Definitely made us both feel more confident about being a new parents. Amazing group, helped my confidence so much Life changing for me and my husband. Completing the course gave me the confidence and belief in myself to become a mother. I really enjoyed this course and would recommend it to anyone who is preparing to become a parent. The facilitators have been amazing. I will miss our group, but we have all swapped numbers and will be staying in touch.
Challenges and actions Low numbers of referrals for some areas. High drop off from referral to participation on course. Barriers to referral explored using focus groups. Definition of vulnerability challenged and widened. Training for midwives to increase confidence in promoting the programme.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/childrensservices/learning-and-evidence/baby-steps-evidence/
Thank you for listening Any questions?