Responsive, Sensitive and Reflective Parenting Responsive, Sensitive and Reflective Parenting. The Value of Parental Support; A qualitative study Miss Clare Oliver. 1 Dr David Taylor-Robinson. 2 Dr Lisa Marsland. 3 Dr Melissa Gladstone. 1 1. Institute of Child Health, University of Liverpool. 2. Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool. 3. Building Bonds, Knowsley. Background Aim Improving early child development is a public health priority. In England just over 50% of children reach a ‘good level of development’ by the age of 5 years. Research shows the importance of responsive, sensitive and reflective caregiving in improving a child’s development and the need to support parents with this. The government’s ‘Healthy Child Policy’ provides parents support through universal services including Health Visitors and Children’s Centres. However, how do parents perceive the value of local parental support services and what are the barriers they face when accessing these services? To understand how caregivers of children from 0-2 years of age in a North West urban setting know and learn to be responsive, sensitive and reflective to their babies, where they go to for support and what services they value. Methodology 22 semi-structured interviews as well as 1 focus group discussion [FGD] English speaking primary caregivers of children aged less than 2 years old throughout the Merseyside region. Purposive sampling was used and participants were recruited through Health Visitors, Children’s Centres or in the community. All interviews and FGD were transcribed and analysed using a thematic content approach with the aid of computer programme NVIVO 10. Results 27 participants :26 Mothers, 1 Father. 21 Mothers and 1 Father were interviewed (see graph for demographics) 5 Mothers in FGD. Map of participant recruitment How Parents are Being Supported Family The Internet Other Mothers Friends Children’s Centres Social Media Health Visitors Midwives And more … Books BAMBIs Breastfeeding Why Parents Value The Support They Receive ‘RELATIONSHIPS’ Professionals People Face to Face vs Internet Their Child’s Own Relationships ‘PROFESSIONALISM’ Staff/ Healthcare workers Family Husband/ Partner Own Knowledge ‘EXPERIENCE’ Other Mums Previous Children With That Child Parental Challenges Sleep – lack of sleep and lack of child’s sleep routine Childhood Illness – knowing the severity, when to ask for help Overcoming isolation – 24/7 job being a mother Perceived temperament of the child - ‘difficult’ or ‘good’ baby Help available at home – single parents, lack of family nearby “I've always found it easy to access support and advice.” “Oh I do value [children’s centres] its, all free services, with qualified staff who are experts trained in child development and the activities that are on are age relevant…” “I prefer face to face and sometimes with the internet you get stuck looking over stuff and you get off what you're meant to be doing! Yea you end up self-diagnosing yourself with something wrong.” Conclusions In order to provide support for parents enabling them to be responsive, sensitive and reflective to their babies, services need to be driven much more on the relationships that experienced professionals and peers make with parents. More opportunities should be provided for continuity of care with one to one support which is responsive and there when needed. Children’s centres are positive example of this, providing an accessible place where parents can access both professional and peer support and it is hoped that despite recent government cuts, there will be on-going funding in Merseyside to maintain the Children’s Centres. BAMBIs breastfeeding demonstrated the effective use of professional peer based support which was easily and quickly accessible to mothers when needed. Future child services should be modelled on this service in Merseyside.