MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION - Health Promotion Agency

Mental Health Promotion in Northern Ireland
CATEGORY 2
Project name
Contact name
Address
Child Development Programme – Urban Integrated Model
Rosemary Hughes, Child Protection Nurse Specialist
Community Health Office
3 The Square
Moy, Co. Tyrone
BT71 7SG
Telephone number 01868 789649
Brief description of project
The effects that poverty and social disadvantage have on every part of
life including the motivation to be a ‘good enough parent’ are well
recognised. Bringing up children is one of the most difficult and
stressful aspects of the life cycle. The early years of parenting are vital
and there is much evidence pointing to positive outcomes achieved by
home visiting programmes.
A health visiting approach using the Child Development Programme
is offered to first time parents and parents experiencing parenting
difficulties in Armagh & Dungannon HSS Trust.
This approach is designed to maximise preventative opportunities. It
builds on the skills Health Visitors already have, to deliver a service
which pro-actively encourages and supports parents.
Objectives
The aim of the Child Development Programme is to offer a
programme of home based support to parents which is based on the
principles of empowerment.
To provide user-friendly literature which aims to help, support and
empower parents in the antenatal stage and early years of parenting.
It uses a model of parent capacitation which encourages parents to
build their own skills and take responsibility for the health and well
being of their children.
Outcomes: Planned A structured programme which ensures that those parents least able to
seek services for themselves or their children are offered information
and support.
Targets health visiting resources on those families in greatest need,
whilst retaining the universal nature of the health visiting service.
Extra support is provided to those most in need, without any element
of stigmatising or labelling.
Actual
Health Visitors have noticed:
• Mothers developing better attachment with babies.
• Positive behavioural changes in parental skills.
• Lower levels of postnatal depression.
Evaluation
Report available.
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