A cost-effectiveness analysis of a universal, preventative-focused, parent and infant programme.

Background: This study assessed whether a relatively newly developed Parent and Infant (PIN) parenting support programme was cost-effective when compared to services as usual (SAU).

Methods: The cost-effectiveness of the PIN programme versus SAU was assessed from an Irish health and social care perspective over a 24-month timeframe and within the context of a non-randomised, controlled before-and-after trial. In total, 163 parent-infant dyads were included in the study (86 intervention, 77 control).

An Exploration of Practitioners' Experiences of Delivering Digital Social Care Interventions to Children and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Digital technology is an increasing feature of social care practice, and its use has accelerated greatly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study aimed to assess social care practitioners' experiences of delivering digital interventions to vulnerable children and families during the pandemic.

Methods: A mixed methods study combining survey and qualitative research was conducted.

The challenges of assessing sample representativeness within community-based evaluations of parenting programmes delivered in England and Ireland.

The findings from evaluations of parenting programmes can help inform policy and practice decisions, including how best to allocate scarce resources designed to support families. However, studies often fail to consider the extent to which the findings can be generalised to other settings or populations. One, yet unexplored solution, is to compare study findings and large-scale data sets including publicly available population data.

"Putting Meat on the Bones": Understanding the Implementation of a Community-Based Early Intervention and Prevention Programme-Contextual, Person, and Programme Influences.

The adoption and effective delivery of evidence-based interventions within "real-world" community-based, primary health care service settings are of crucial importance. In this paper, we explore the successes and challenges of implementing a new complex, group-based, early parenting intervention called the Parent and Infant (PIN) programme. This study involved a systematic analysis of the processes and factors that influence the implementation of the PIN programme; the analysis was guided and informed by the Implementation Outcome Framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Parent and facilitator experiences of an intensive parent and infant programme delivered in routine community settings.

Aim: The aims of this study were to (1) assess the initial experiences of parenthood amongst mainly disadvantaged mothers; (2) explore their views on the extent to which they felt they had benefitted (or not) from participating in a newly developed, intensive mother and baby support programme in the community; and (3) explore the perspectives of those who delivered the programme (i.e., facilitators), most of whom were Public Health Nurses (PHNs).

Mothers' well-being, parenting attitudes, and home environment: Cumulative risk and parity in early motherhood.

Background: This study explores mothers' wellbeing, experiences, and attitudes and the impact of cumulative demographic and antenatal risks and parity on parenting outcomes. A secondary aim was to assess mother and infant service utilisation.

Method: This study involved an assessment of the baseline characteristics of a sample of mothers (N = 190; Mean age = 31.

A community-based parent-support programme to prevent child maltreatment: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

The prevention of child abuse and neglect is a global public health priority due to its serious, long-lasting effects on personal, social, and economic outcomes. The Children At Risk Model (ChARM) is a wraparound-inspired intervention that coordinates evidence-based parenting- and home-visiting programmes, along with community-based supports, in order to address the multiple and complex needs of families at risk of child abuse or neglect. The study comprises a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial, with embedded economic and process evaluations.

Understanding the implementation and effectiveness of a group-based early parenting intervention: a process evaluation protocol.

Background: Group-based early parenting interventions delivered through community-based services may be a potentially effective means of promoting infant and family health and wellbeing. Process evaluations of these complex interventions provide vital information on how they work, as well as the conditions which shape and influence outcomes. This information is critical to decision makers and service providers who wish to embed prevention and early interventions in usual care settings.

A theory-based evaluation of a community-based funding scheme in a disadvantaged suburban city area.

Community-driven development (CDD) initiatives frequently involve funding schemes which are aimed at channelling financial investment into local need and fostering community participation and engagement. This exploratory study examined, through a program theory approach, the design and implementation of a small-scale, community-based fund in Ireland. Observations, documentary analysis, interviews and group discussions with 19 participants were utilized to develop a detailed understanding of the program mechanisms, activities and processes, as well as the experiences of key stakeholders engaged with the funding scheme and its implementation.