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Open Policy Debate
Parenting Supports in Ireland
Department of Children and Youth Affairs
The Atrium, Department of Justice Dublin 2
Report
2 May 2018
1
1. Introduction and Policy Context
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs’ (DCYA) vision is for Ireland to be one of the
best small countries in the world in which to grow up and raise a family
• where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled;
• where their voices are heard;
• where they are supported to realise their maximum potential now and in the future.
In working towards achieving that vision, DCYA has prioritised policies and interventions
which recognise the centrality of the parenting relationship in securing positive social,
emotional and physical outcomes for children and young people.
Parenting support sits within family support, an umbrella term which refers to a broad range
of family-focused services and programmes, with an investment in all families in order to
support parents and improve outcomes for children and young people. Parenting support
may be regarded as intensely related to (but capable of being distinguished from) that wider
concept.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, define parenting support as ‘a style of work and a set of
activities that provides information, advice and assistance to parents and carers in relation to
the upbringing of their children, in order to maximize their child’s potential.’1
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young
People was launched by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and then Minister for Children and Youth
Affairs on 16 April 2014.2 This overarching national policy framework comprehends the age
ranges spanning children and young people (0 – 24 years) and represents a whole of
government framework, comprising 163 commitments.
Through the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and its supporting
strategies, one of the Government’s aims was to achieve the transformational goal of
Supporting Parents, indicating that ‘Parents will experience improved support in the
important task of parenting and feel more confident, informed and able.’3
The framework highlights the importance of parents in a child’s life and the benefits of
positive parenting, while promoting better support for parents as a priority. It notes that
support for parents will be delivered through commitments made to increase the provision of
supports to all parents ‘through universal access to good-quality parenting advice and
1 Child and Family Agency. (2013). Investing in families: Supporting Parents to Improve Outcomes for
Children. Dublin: Child and Family Agency, p.1. 2 Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2014). Government launches ‘Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: the
National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 – 2020.’ Dublin: Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Available at: https://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/press/BetterOutcomesBrighterFuturePressRelease.htm. 3 Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2014). Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy
Framework for children and young people 2014–2020. Dublin: Department of Children and Youth Affairs, xiv.
2
programmes, and access to affordable quality childcare, as well as targeted, evidence-based
supports to those parents with greatest needs.’4
As part of the ongoing implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, a commitment
has been given to develop an Early Years Strategy as an important constituent strategy of
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. DCYA, in partnership with other government
departments, is drafting the strategy for infants, young children (0-5) and their families
intended for publication later in 2018. Given the fundamental importance of families in
shaping children's early experience, wellbeing and outcomes, supports and services for
parents and families at various stages of infants’ and young children's development will be a
key theme in the strategy.
The High-level Policy Statement on Parenting and Family Support was published by DCYA
in 2015 mandating a focus on a progressive approach to providing services across a
spectrum that ranges from universal provision to highly targeted and specialised support.
The statement is significant policy in promoting prevention, early intervention and
partnership working. It stresses an approach that is proactive, evidence based, integrated,
and with children, young people and their parents at the centre of all processes, to ensure
that each child and family receives the support that is most suitable to their needs.5 It also
provides a strong policy framework for Tusla to support and develop the effective functioning
of families. Tusla will accomplish this through the development of an area based approach
(Prevention, Partnership & Family Support), including Child and Family Support Networks
and Meitheal early intervention practice model and other supports for parenting.
Tusla has been investing heavily in parenting support as part of the Partnership, Prevention
and Family Support Programme and is currently developing a National Commissioning Plan
for Parenting Support Approaches & Programmes. This plan will guide its future
commissioning of evidence-based Parenting Support Approaches & Programmes and will
form the basis for a National Practice Tool at the Medium Prevention Level within the Tusla
continuum of care. The Commissioning Plan is intended to be used by commissioners and
providers to plan for the future. It will ensure that the range of supports and services
available meet the identified needs within the context of Tusla’s strategic priorities in regards
to commissioning of parenting support approaches and programmes nationally, regionally
and locally.
Subsequent to the release of the High-Level Policy statement, the Programme for
Partnership Government (2016) was published which included a commitment ‘to publish a
National Parenting Support Plan with a range of practical and supportive measures for all
parents.’6 With the availability of the High level Policy Statement, the planned Early Years
Strategy currently in development giving an opportunity to consolidate commitments and
initiatives relevant to parenting support for 0-6 age group and the work being delivered by
Tusla under the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme, the development
of a separate National Parenting Support Plan has not yet been advanced.
4 Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2014). Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy
Framework for children and young people 2014–2020. Dublin: Department of Children and Youth Affairs, x. 5 Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2015). High-level Policy Statement on Supporting Parents and
Families (‘Parenting and Family Support’). Dublin: Department of Children and Youth Affairs. 6 Government of Ireland. (2016). Programme for Partnership Government. Dublin: Government of Ireland, p. 77.
3
Throughout Ireland, the community and voluntary sector has traditionally played a very
strong role in delivering a broad range of diverse services aimed at supporting parents in
their roles. At a local level the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme, funded by the
DCYA and The Atlantic Philanthropies since 2013 and the previous Prevention and Early
Intervention Programme from 2007 to 2013, have been delivering a range of parenting
support programmes that empower parents to support the development of their children.
These programmes and activities operate within a broader context consisting of a wide
range of multidimensional policies, schemes and services relating to employment, health,
education, training and social welfare systems led by other government departments and
agencies also aimed at supporting families in meeting the practical and material needs of
their children.
Given the status of strategic developments and the array of investments in the area of
parenting support by government and across the community and voluntary sectors, this
Open Policy Debate aimed to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to share expertise
in this area, to build cross-organisational and cross-sectoral relationships, and to advance
the theme of Parenting Supports in Ireland.
4
2. Open Policy Debate
DCYA hosted the Open Policy Debate: Parenting Supports in Ireland on 2 May 2018 at The
Atrium, Department of Justice and Equality, Dublin 2. The event was moderated by
Professor Trevor Spratt, Director of Trinity Research in Childhood Centre in Trinity College,
Dublin.
In order to facilitate informed dialogue and discussions, the Open Policy Debate (OPD) was
organised along the lines of presentations followed by panel discussions open to questioning
by the floor and facilitated discussions structured along identified key questions. .
In the morning, presentations by Dr Rosemary Crosse, Professor Gordon Harold and Mr
Francis Chance provided the attendees with initial input into the policy and practice contexts
for parenting support in Ireland. Dr Rosemary Crosse of the UNESCO Child & Family
Research Centre at NUI Galway provided an overview of Irish parenting policy and practice
since 1980. Professor Gordon Harold of the University of Sussex/Trinity College, Dublin
presented attendees with an opportunity to consider emerging research findings and
international evidence in the area of parenting support. His presentation considered the
impact of family relationships on children’s mental health and outcomes, with particular
reference to Professor Harold’s own research on the relationships between interparental
conflict, parenting and children’s outcomes. Mr Francis Chance, Programme Manager of the
Nurture Programme, Katherine Howard Foundation, presented the results of a survey of
parents which offered a chance to better understand the concerns of parents and the views
of parents on existing parenting and family supports.
A panel discussion and Q&A session followed these presentations. This part of the OPD
allowed attendees critically analyse and explore the expert presentations in greater depth,
considering how the findings presented might apply to the work of policymakers, providers
and practitioners.
The afternoon consisted of a boardroom discussion which allowed all attendees to discuss
key questions proposed by DCYA. Attendees were also addressed by Dr Fergal Lynch,
Secretary General of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
A summary of each of the presentations and the conclusions reached during the final
discussion forum follows.
.
5
2.1. Overview of Presentations
a) Parenting: an Overview of Policy & Practice in Ireland
Dr Rosemary Crosse, UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, NUI
Galway.
Dr Rosemary Crosse provided an overview of parenting policy and practice since 1980
outlining how parenting had come to occupy a prominent place as a policy imperative over
time. Beginning with the Task Force Report on Childcare Services (1980), Dr Crosse
acknowledged the early steps taken towards a supportive approach to the parenting
relationship.
However, it was in the 1990s that the emphasis on parenting intensified, according to Dr
Crosse. Dr Crosse noted The Childcare Act (1991) and the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child (1992) as critical legislative scaffolds which drove a move towards
policy promoting parenting support culminating in the Commission on the Family 1998
recommending a policy approach building strengths in families. Finally, the Parental Leave
Act (1998) created a statutory entitlement to paternity leave for all fathers, a significant first
piece of legislation to recognise fathers’ entitlement to leave following the birth of a child.
Figure 1: Landmark Policy Developments
Dr Crosse’s presentation continued to identify the coordinated approach to parenting
supports which occurred from 2000 onwards. The National Children’s Strategy (2000)
emphasised the ‘whole child’ perspective, and acknowledged the need to provide supports
to parents to realise this vision.7 Dr Crosse indicated that the establishment of the Office of
the Minister for Children within the Department of Health and Children in 2005 was an
7 Department of Health and Children. (2000).The National Children’s Strategy: Our Lives, Their Lives. Dublin:
Department of Health and Children, p.10
6
expression of the government’s wish to advance children’s services and implement the
National Children’s Strategy.
The subsequent developments relating to the establishment of Department of Children and
Youth Affairs (DCYA) and appointment of the first Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in
2011, were seen as crucial steps taken to honour commitments including; the provision of
universal and targeted services for children and families, interventions in the area of child
welfare and protection, family support, school attendance, the reduction of youth crime,
adoption, and the harmonisation of policy and provision across government departments and
service providers.
Rosemary Crosse highlighted the ABC Programme, established in 2013 in line with a
government commitment to adopt an area based approach to alleviating child poverty, as a
key development.
The publication of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for
Children and Young People 2014-2020 was presented by Dr Crosse as a landmark
parenting policy development along with the government published a High-Level Policy
Statement on Parenting and Family Support in 2015.
In terms of provision, Dr Crosse highlighted that parenting support has historically been
provided by a range of statutory, voluntary and community-based organisations. Some of
these services are provided directly by Tusla, some supports are provided by community
and voluntary organisations with funding support from Tusla, and some are funded by
charitable organisations or government departments.
Dr Crosse concluded her presentation by focusing on parenting and family support, a
constituent part of all of Tusla’s work, informed by the agency’s parenting support strategy
and the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme (PPFS). In doing so, she
drew distinctions between direct and indirect parenting support work.
Dr Crosse encouraged attendees to consider both when discussing parenting support
strategies and services across the continuum of need, taking a progressive universalist
approach. Direct supports include actions aimed exclusively at improving parenting skills and
capacity. Indirect supports include actions aimed at parents or families which improve their
lives more generally. Supports include advice, home-based support, group-based support,
and parent education groups. Some supports are universal, while others provide ‘top-up’
support for parents with additional needs, and supervised parenting, child protection and
alternative care at the more severe end of need.
7
b) Putting Parenting Support into Perspective: An Update on Research and
Intervention Evidence
Gordon Harold, Andrew and Virginia Rudd Professor of Psychology, School
of Psychology, University of Sussex and Adjunct Professor, School of
Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin.
Professor Gordon Harold provided a valuable input on international parenting support
research and evidence. He demonstrated that multiple family relationships, such as the inter-
parental relationship, mother-child and father-child relationships, influence children’s mental
health. In particular, he focussed on the evidence that interparental conflict may negatively
impact children directly and affect parenting quality. Using three strands of research,
intervention and policy evidence, Gordon Harold examined the role of the inter-parental and
parent-child relationships on child and adolescent mental health (e.g. depression, conduct
problems, school failure).
Professor Harold presented on the research demonstrating that poor parent-child
relationships and interparental conflict may negatively affect children.8 Children living in
households marked by high levels of interparental conflict are at risk of serious mental health
problems and future psychiatric disorder. Interparental conflict which is frequent, intense and
poorly resolved can also have detrimental effects on children’s emotional, behavioural,
social, academic development, and future interpersonal relationships. Prof. Harold noted that
conflict between parents was a normal part of family life and argued that the duration,
intensity and the resolution of the conflicts were more important factors in determining the
effects on children than the mere occurrence of conflict.
While the causes of interparental conflict are varied, Prof. Harold highlighted economic or
work pressure as one major trigger. Economic or work pressure can lead to paternal and/or
maternal depression, which can in turn elevate the chances of interparental conflict, leading
to more negative parenting practices and ultimately problems for the child (which may then
repeat across generations).
8 Gordon T. Harold and Ruth Sellers. (2018). ‘Annual Research Review: Interparental conflict and youth
psychotherapy: an evidence review and practice focused update,’ The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 59(4), pp. 374-402, p. 374.
8
Economic Stress/Work
pressure
Paternal Depression
Maternal Depression
Parent-Child
Neglect
Interparental Conflict
Child Problems
Cascading Influences on Youth Outcomes
Conger and colleagues 1989-2017+
Figure 2: Model of Cascading Influences on Youth Outcomes
He noted that research pointing to the connection between interparental conflict and child
problems has been challenged on the basis that a genetic connection may explain
associations between parent and child behaviour. This suggests that associations between
interparental conflict and problems for children are not the result of environmental factors
(i.e. inter-parental and parent-child relationship quality), but rather common genetic factors
passed from parents to children. In order to test the validity of this challenge, it has been
necessary to separate genetic factors from rearing environment factors, which required
researchers to generate novel research designs and evaluate new data.
Prof. Harold highlighted two recent research designs, the Early Growth and Development
Study in the United States and a Cardiff in vitro fertilisation study (Prof. Harold is an
investigator/principal researcher on both studies). These studies, which focused on adoption
at birth and adoption at conception respectively, demonstrated that associations between
parent and child behaviour cannot be due to common genes shared between parents and
children. They reemphasised the importance of the parent or carer influences on children. 9
Prof. Harold stressed that the research on the impact of interparental conflict has
implications for parenting support policy and interventions. Historically, intervention
programs that target parental or carer relationships have focused on domestic violence or
parental divorce. He noted however, that it is increasingly recognised that addressing conflict
at the level of the couple relationship may pay significant dividends in improving outcomes
for children. Prof. Harold signposted a growing body of international evidence that indicates
positive impacts on child outcomes by supporting the interparental relationship, highlighting
9 Harold, Gordon T. and Sellers, Ruth. (2018). ‘Annual Research Review: Interparental conflict and youth
psychotherapy: an evidence review and practice focused update,’ The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 59(4), pp. 374-402, p. 382-3.
9
his own work in conjunction with Dr Ruth Sellers developing a cost-benefit model which has
promising results.10
Prof Harold proceeded to highlight the UK Department of Work and Pensions’ investment of
£42 million in April 2017 to provide interparental and parenting focused support, a policy
initiative directly linked to the evidence base reviewed and presented to attendees by Prof.
Harold.
Concluding his presentation, Prof. Harold argued that supporting parenting practices early
improves outcomes for children, but that the impacts of this support were not sustained in
the context of high levels of interparental conflict. He urged attendees to consider the
evidence demonstrating that supporting the inter-adult/interparental relationship early
improves outcomes for children, improves parenting practices for mothers and fathers and,
based on international evidence, has sustained effects on child outcomes.
Figure 3: Overview of UK Government Investment in Supporting Families and Children
10
Harold, Gordon T. and Sellers, Ruth. (2018). ‘Annual Research Review: Interparental conflict and youth psychotherapy: an evidence review and practice focused update,’ The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 59(4), pp. 374-402, p. 395.
10
c) Giving Our Children the Best Start in Life – The Voices of Parents
Mr Francis Chance, Katherine Howard Foundation Programme Manager,
The Nurture Programme: Infant Health and Wellbeing.
The final presentation was given by Mr Francis Chance who presented the results of a
survey of parents carried out in November 2017 by the Katherine Howard Foundation (KHF).
The survey was issued as an opportunity for KHF to better understand the concerns of
parents and gather the views of parents on existing parenting and family supports.
Mr Chance outlined how the survey was framed as widely as possible, allowing parents to
express their own views on a range of issues and was circulated through personal,
professional and service networks as well as social media. Almost 500 responses were
collected from every county.
Parents were asked two broad questions across eleven key areas of their life;
‘What helps you give your child the best start in life?’ and
‘What could be improved to help you in giving your child the best start in life?’
Parents returned responses which identified five simple key messages which could be
considered by policy makers, service providers and practitioners;
Time Matters,
Family Matters,
Choice Matters,
Money Matters, and
Supports Matter.
The survey found that parents recognised the value of time spent with their children. Love
and security and supporting the child’s development were critical to giving children the best
start in life, as were structure and routine. Parents indicated that they wanted to spend more
time with their child playing and listening and wanted to adjust their work-life balance. Direct
quotes from parents included ‘I try to be more present in their day to day woes, free my head
for them.’
Mr Chance outlined how the survey respondents indicated the value of the support,
encouragement and love provided by family and friends. Challenges however included that
25% of parents lack extended family supports and 18% indicated that they wanted family
and friends to spend more time with their children.
11
Figure 4: Quotes from Parents - Family Matters
Choice was found to be a critical theme with respondents indicating while that they
appreciate maternity and paternity leave, there is a need for extended parental leave, more
flexible working conditions, and more options to allow parents to remain at home. One
parent responded on the theme of choice to say ‘Parents should be incentivised to stay at
home if that is their wish in the early years.’
Respondents indicated on the topic of Money Matters that they appreciated financial
supports for childcare but many wanted further financial support or tax relief. Similarly, the
free GP care for children aged under six was appreciated, but parents requested it be
expanded to cover all children.
Finally, under the heading of Supports Matter, parks and play spaces were commended, as
were services such as Public Health Nurses, GP care and immunisation. Breastfeeding
support was specifically mentioned as requiring further attention.
Closing his presentation, Mr Chance argued that some of the report’s key messages were
that parents did not understand service structures the way agencies do, and that over half of
parents do not understand family support and child protection services. Parents need a
unified, evidence based source of information on parenting and child development and
adequately resourced services. He also stressed the need for a common language that can
be easily understood by parents and urged all attendees to commit to a preventative
approach to intercept potential crises and to strike a balance between universal and targeted
service delivery.
12
Figure 5: Quotes from Parents - Money Matters
Central to the underlying messages of Mr. Chance’s presentation was the need to build the
voices of parents into the culture of the work of policy makers, service providers and
practitioners. While many parents are doing well, a significant number are struggling and
require additional support. Childcare supports, family services and supports, supportive
communities and employers are all essential contributors to supporting parenting and
recognising that parenting matters. Further details on the survey, and accompanying report,
is available on the Katherine Howard Foundation website.
13
2.2 Open Policy Debate - Panel Discussion and Q&A
Following the presentations, attendees had an opportunity to pose questions to the panel of
experts and comment on the content of their presentations. A panel discussion also followed
which allowed the panellists expand on their presentations in response to the queries raised
and in particular, to note the roles of the statutory, and community and voluntary sector in
parent support provision.
During this part of the OPD, several themes emerged which are summarised below.
o Parenting support and support for parents must be defined
All stakeholders working in parenting support provision should identify and work according to
one universal agreed definition of parenting support. Discussions centred on a definition
which sees parenting support as the provision of information, advice and assistance to
parents and carers in relation to the upbringing of their children. However, attendees also
noted that parents may also receive indirect support which does not directly relate to the
upbringing of their children, but rather seeks to improve outcomes for families and
individuals. Support for parents is a broad category of which parenting support may be
considered one part. Attendees stressed that parents should be seen as individuals at their
own stage in the life course. Attendees also noted that Prevention and Early Intervention
should not be seen as synonymous with one another. Preventing an issue from arising is
always the best possible outcome. Early intervention is still intervention, and it should be
used with care.
o Parenting support provision must be contextualised
Attendees argued that structural challenges facing families often impede the successful
delivery of parenting support. Parenting support cannot be delivered in isolation, but must be
understood and implemented within a broader economic and social context which
acknowledges the social economic status and circumstances of parents, and the needs of
the area in which it is delivered. Targeting parenting without addressing the wider context is
going to negate the impact of interventions on children’s outcomes. Homeless families were
raised as an example of one group often lacking access to both local support networks and
professional parenting support. There was universal agreement by attendees that economic
security shapes many aspects of the lives of children and their families, and that parenting
support provision can only deliver maximum possible impact when families have economic
security.
o The diversity of parenting relationships and family forms need to be
acknowledged in service planning and delivery
Attendees noted the diversity of family forms and parenting relationships which policy and
service provision needs to recognise. Referring to Prof. Harold’s presentation, attendees
discussed the need to address the interparental relationship, alongside any parenting
support services. Foster families were noted as being traditionally linked to medical health
services rather than typical parenting support provisions. Parents of children with a disability
were also identified as a cohort facing multiple structural barriers and requiring additional
support. Parenting support must stretch across a broad continuum of need in order to fully
accommodate the diversity of family types and needs. Where support is delivered widely and
14
accessibly, parents in need will access it. Attendees maintained that information on
parenting delivered at a population level could be a valuable area for future provision.
o Fathers must be engaged in parenting support services
Involving fathers as well as mothers in parenting support was identified as an important
objective. While the mother-child and father-child dynamic are complimentary, the latter is
not supported to the same extent as the former in policy or practice. It was pointed out that
some services ostensibly aimed at all parents/carers by default engage with mothers instead
of fathers. It was also noted that research indicated fathers are more likely to be engaged by
positive feedback, and that this could be integrated into how services approach fathers. The
relevance of fathers must be communicated operationally.
o Services must be delivered consistently and in a co-ordinated manner
Throughout the discussions, attendees stressed the need for consistency and
standardisation of service availability and delivery across the country. It was noted that there
is currently regional variation in terms of the capacity and quality of available services. It was
argued that while services should be delivered with due regard to local circumstances,
parents should be able to move across Ireland without considerable changes in the
availability or quality of services. Similarly, a strong ethos of cross-organisational and cross-
sectoral working is required and work must be undertaken to embed this in the culture of
local and national services.
A shared assessment of need across services was offered as a mechanism that would
improve consistency and inter-agency working. However, following that assessment,
services must be in place that can accept appropriate referrals and the referral pathways
need to be understood by all stakeholders. The most hard to reach families with the greatest
need were highlighted as an example of where service coordination is essential to
successful working.
o Prioritise the capacity development and resourcing of practitioners
There was strong consensus that improved child outcomes should be the key metric of
success for any parenting support delivered. Supporting and working with practitioners to
capture and analyse data which can inform service delivery is vital. Attendees stressed that
the workforce must be appropriately trained and resourced to effectively and efficiently
respond to needs and adapt services according to the measured impact of services.
Referring again to assessment of need, a non-invasive way to profile adult relationships
functioning with a view to improving child outcomes and identifying appropriate referral
pathways was identified as an area that would require substantial professional capacity
development across children’s and young people’s services.
15
2.3 Open Policy Debate - Discussion Forum
A welcome address by Dr Fergal Lynch, Secretary General of the Department of Children
and Youth Affairs opened the afternoon proceedings. The Secretary General welcomed
attendees to the discussion forum and commended the contribution of attendees over the
course of the day. He indicated the commitment of the Department to use the outcome of the
day to inform how DCYA might further support parenting support activity in the future.
A discussion forum moderated by Professor Trevor Spratt followed. The discussion was
structured around some key questions outlined below, providing an opportunity to gather
feedback from attendees for consideration by DCYA following the event.
Q: What role can and should respective sectors play in parenting support? (central
government, statutory agencies, community and voluntary sectors, early childhood
care and education settings and schools)
Attendees agreed that an evidence informed approach should be at the core of all work,
irrespective of the sector involved. The example of the Tusla 50 keys messages on
parenting was given to illustrate how an evidence-informed approach can be delivered
across all sectors in a strategic and coordinated manner. In delivering an evidence -informed
approach, it will be important to ensure it is based on a model that is about educating and
reassuring parents and building on their strengths, and what they are doing well. There was
agreement that all sectors need to come together to identify and agree on the optimum
continuum of services and principles of practice. A menu or suite of evidence based
approaches or programmes could be made available to support serviced design and
delivery.
Interventions need to be effective but also scalable and sustainable. Understanding and
awareness of approaches and models that have also proven impact need to be integrated
into national and local service delivery, with the example of infant mental health being
offered as an example of an area of research that might be integrated into the health service.
The need for consistency across the country was reiterated. Agreement should be reached
on the range of programmes and supports that should be delivered to all parents, with local
services identifying which of these might be best applied in their local area based on
identified needs. As well as providing universal supports for all parents, it is necessary to
find what works with a small, hard-to-reach cohort not currently engaged with services.
Gordon Harold’s work on the inter-adult relationship was raised as an area that has not been
explored thus far in an Irish context. Any provision will need to identify the stage each child
and their families are at and the unique challenges that can present themselves at those
stages. Sectors could also come together to provide one evidence based website from which
parents can access guidance, advice and information on parenting skills, strategies and child
development.
Public Health Nursing was offered by one attendee as the greatest support currently offered
to parents and a model, based on progressive universalism, for how respective sectors
can engage in parenting support. It was recognised as a service delivered in the parent’s
own home, building relationships, identifying levels of need and providing support for the
health of the mother and child. Competing resources were identified as a threat to service
delivery, but equally and opportunity to encourage more collaborative working. With regard
16
to public health nursing a closer relationship between the HSE and Tusla was offered as a
route to improved service delivery. New initiatives being implemented should also take
account of learning coming from existing or previous initiatives, with the Department of
Educational and skills pilot project to develop an In school model of speech and language
therapy offered as an example of where this might apply.
The increasing incidences of childhood obesity and child and adolescent mental health
challenges were also offered as a rationale for greater collaboration across sectors as they
have implications for all domains of services. A strengths based approach would see
parents being informed that their child’s health is at an elevated risk and their role is central
to addressing that risk.
Attendees reiterated that central to future developments must be a focussed investment in
workforce development, with particular focus on ensuring anyone who works with children
and their families is proficient in dealing with parents and other professionals and
understands family dynamics. Often, the focus of family support practitioners working with
children excludes parents. Working with children necessarily involves working with parents,
so we must ensure they are kept at the centre of processes. Practitioners must also have a
robust understanding of natural child development. This workforce development might take
the form of both pre-service and in-service training opportunities.
Q: How can we develop an equitable strengths and support oriented model that
provides a range of parenting supports across the life course and continuum of need
that are delivered nationally, with consistency and in line with parental preferences,
needs and the evidence?
A universal strategy needs to look at what strategies parents currently use to get information
and support, including their peer group, family, parent/toddler groups and websites such as
Rollercoaster and Eumom. People live in families and communities and parents are
individuals at their own stage in the lifecycle. Some are in their teen years, for instance. Peer
supports are extremely valuable for parents at all stages of life and creating spaces for these
to develop was raised as a valuable area for investment.
Local services such those provided by early years childcare and education settings are vital.
The new ECCE scheme was raised by attendees as the next universal piece of
infrastructure being rolled out. It was noted that these developments and the opportunities
they afford must be maximised. There are many interventions that provide role modelling for
parents with an opportunity to learn how to play and build children’s emotional and social
wellbeing. It was also offered as an opportunity to build grandparents into the infrastructure.
The existing Public Health Nurse service was offered as a place to start building a national
programme. However, the breadth of patients that a public health nurse deal with and the
burdens being placed on the service indicate the need for a dedicated child health nursing
service. The work undertaken by the Nurture programme and emerging learning was also
identified as an area that could be further built upon.
The importance of taking an evidence informed approach was reiterated. We need to seek
gaps in outcomes rather than provision; by measuring outcomes we can better understand
how to deliver a good service. The focus of a national approach should be on measurably
improving children’s outcomes here and now and in the future. It needs to be built around a
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commitment to building better childhoods for children and having a clear vision for what that
childhood might look like. It must look at the whole child and support communities to sustain
long term developmental goals. Meitheal was offered as an example of a practice model that
has successfully managed to bring a multitude of services together to collaboratively identify
how services can work together to support local families.
Children and Young People Services Committees (CYPSCs) were also raised as a possible
vehicle for delivering an equitable strengths and support oriented model which can deliver
parenting supports to meet the needs of parents. CYPSCs are a useful structure for
identifying supports available and gaps locally. CYPSC can also facilitate an approach that
supports the community and voluntary sector complimenting universal services effectively
and efficiently
Q: In moving commitments forward, what now needs to be prioritised and by whom at
three levels:
· The System – including policy and strategy developments
· The family – maintaining progressive universalism as a core principle
· The workforce
Attendees indicated that at a systems level, there needs to be increased recognition that
parenting is seen as an important piece of work. Further work might be undertaken to
identify how the State supports parents more broadly, including through the tax system. In
order for progress to be made, it was felt that a clear driving Department or agency needs to
be identified with a mandate to engage the multiple sectors and agencies engaged in
delivering parenting support.
Consistency in standards in also required. In the roll out of numerous initiatives, such as the
ABC Programme, Nurture, PPFS amongst others, we have gathered a lot of evidence in the
Irish context about what works. The system needs to recognise and built on these leanings
and commit to consistency of practice and standardisation of service delivery. Early
Intervention Teams, which joined up professionals on an interdisciplinary basis, were offered
as an example of where there has been demonstrated positive impact but limited
investment.
A national model based on progressive universalism was seen as achievable and having
impact. However, it was argued that the greatest obstacle to achieving the model proposed
is a stigma attached to seeking help as a parent. Erasing this stigma is critical to delivering
supports effectively.
The diversity of languages around parenting among different departments, agencies and
services working with parents was identified as an area of concern. A module on common
language for all professionals in this area would be a useful addition to the current suite of
training options in this area. A common language that is understood and also used by
parents must be identified.
Existing structures such as CYPSC could be used to coordinate, plan and commission
necessary services for local areas. Linked with this is the potential for Child and Family
Support Networks or other existing consortia, such as those under the Area Based
Childhood Programme to become the go to people in local communities for support and
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onward referrals. It was noted however, that both structures require further development and
resources to ensure optimal impact.
At the family level, it was noted that previous inputs focussed on community supports.
However, community supports would not be effective for all families as homeless families
and those in direct provision have no community to provide support so it will be necessary to
deploy a different model. All provision needs to recognise family forms and the contexts in
which parents are operating are important. Where families are offered community support it
should include peer support, home visiting, and the use of local people who know the area to
deliver support where possible, with the capacity to link to more professional services as
necessary.
At the level of the workforce, there was broad consensus by attendees that workforce
development is where investment should be prioritised. Professional development for early
education and care workers would be a good place to start. The point was made that we
cannot have a standardised service without high quality workforce development.
Following on from previous discussions, it was identified that frontline services must be
trained to understand adult relationships and practitioners need the resources to profile
relationships in a non-invasive with a view to improving child outcomes.
3 Conclusions and Next Steps
The OPD successfully brought together experts in the area of parenting support at research,
policy-making, provider and practitioner levels. While specific attendees had some divergent
priorities, it is clear that parenting support is an area that requires more attention and
investment by Government. DCYA will take a number of steps to further explore this theme,
informed by the advice of attendees and presenters.
DCYA will conduct a commissioned study to establish a baseline understanding of
perceptions and practices of parenting in Ireland. The research will explore current parenting
practices among parents and what types of support parents want to help parent as
effectively as possible. The project will facilitate follow up research to track parents’
experience over time and level of satisfaction with the supports and services available to
them. Parents engaged with this research will also form a representative panel which may
be consulted on current and future parenting support provision.
DCYA will convene a new Parenting and Family Policy Unit internally which will focus
specifically on policy in this important area. The unit’s mandate will include identifying where
parenting support fits within the framework of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
The Early Years Strategy, the Department’s strategy for infants, young children (0-5) and
their families for publication later in 2018, will include a chapter devoted to the theme of
strong and supported parents and families. It will set out an ambitious goal for Government
in relation to the parenting of and family support for infants and young children, and put in
place a set of objectives to realise this goal. Part of the chapter will specifically address
employment related supports in line with feedback from this OPD.
Finally, in line with the Quality and Capacity Building Initiative (QCBI), the Department will
follow up on the work of Prof. Gordon Harold and his colleague Dr Ruth Sellers with the
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Department of Work and Pensions (UK) developing a standardised assessment of need.
The Department will explore the development of bespoke training to introduce standardised
assessments into practice. The QCBI Coaching and Mentoring Strand will drive an evidence
based approach through the provision of professional development opportunities. In line with
the feedback from the OPD, this provision must include opportunities for cross-disciplinary
training and a module on common language for professionals working with parents and
families.
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References
Child and Family Agency. (2013). Investing in families: Supporting Parents to Improve
Outcomes for Children. Dublin: Child and Family Agency.
Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2014). Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The
National Policy Framework for children and young people 2014–2020. Dublin: Department of
Children and Youth Affairs.
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2014). Government launches ‘Better Outcomes
Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 –
2020.’ Dublin: Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Available at:
https://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/press/BetterOutcomesBrighterFutureP
ressRelease.htm.
Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2015). High-level Policy Statement on Supporting
Parents and Families (‘Parenting and Family Support’). Dublin: Department of Children and
Youth Affairs.
Department of Health and Children. (2000).The National Children’s Strategy: Our Lives,
Their Lives. Dublin: Department of Health and Children.
Government of Ireland. (2016). Programme for Partnership Government. Dublin:
Government of Ireland.
Harold, Gordon T. and Sellers, Ruth. (2018). ‘Annual Research Review: Interparental conflict
and youth psychotherapy: an evidence review and practice focused update,’ The Journal of
Child Psychology and Psychiatry 59(4), pp. 374-402.