An evaluation of the Cork City Parent-Infant Network Group: supporting and promoting practitioner engagement in parent-infant mental health

Reaney, Gemma

An evaluation of the Cork City Parent-Infant Network Group: supporting and promoting practitioner engagement in parent-infant mental health

Files

GemmaReaneyCARLReport2017.pdf(2.17 MB)

Published Version

Date

2017-04-20

Authors

Reaney, Gemma

Publisher

Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork

Abstract

This dissertation examines the experiences of members of the Cork City Parent-Infant Network Group (CCPING). This research was first proposed to the researcher by the coordinator of the CCPING. The research was subsequently formulated into a UCC Community Academic Research Links (CARL) project, given the community-based element of the research. The proposed research was to evaluate the group to see the impact of how the forum infiltrates practice for those attending. The research was carried out to evaluate the group in terms of its ability to support members in implementing infant mental health into their work with children and families. The research also explores the term Infant Mental Health (IMH) and the importance of early year experiences for children in terms of their development and wellbeing. Secondary research was carried out in the form of a literature review and primary research was carried out qualitatively, in the form of interviews of CCPING group members. The findings of the research show that group members derive a variety of benefits from being part of the CCPING. The group has resulted in members increasing their knowledge and understanding of IMH practice and has allowed them to develop the way they work with children and families. The group is seen as a vital resource to member’s personal and professional development. The research also found there is a distinct lack of service provision for IMH services in Ireland, along with a lack of training opportunities for all professionals working with children and families to develop their knowledge and skills.

Keywords

Parent-infant mental health , Parent-infant network group , IMH services in Ireland

Citation

Reaney, G. (2017) An evaluation of the Cork City Parent-Infant Network Group: supporting and promoting practitioner engagement in parent-infant mental health. Cork: Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork.