1. Introducing the Solihull Parenting Approach into PHN Practice
Jane Dare ADPHN

2. Solihull Approach Foundation Course
Two day Course.
Trainers X 2
It is a Framework/ Approach.
Highly Researched and Evaluated.
Skills to promote good emotional health, by making a more in depth, holistic assessment.
Does not increase workload.

3. Perinatal Mental Health
10,066 Number of women mild to moderate depressive illness and anxiety states (estimate in Ireland each year). HSE Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services 2017.
“The Solihull Approach is an integrative theoretical model used for understanding the impact of powerful emotional experiences on adults, the baby and the relationship between the two. It supports baby brain development in the baby by focusing on enabling the relationship to be attuned and reciprocal as it can be”. (

4. The Child Psychotherapy Trust 1999 states that:
‘The first few months and years of life are a sensitive period when children develop attachments and learn about emotions and social interactions in their family. This lays the foundations for future social, emotional and cognitive development. Children who do not have secure relationships early in life are at greater risk of significant mental health problems, education difficulties or conduct disorders.’

5. Brain Development

6. Baby brain development and emotional health

7. Why intervene early?
Excessive adversity early in life causes physiological disruptions that affect the developing brain in ways that can lead to long term impairments in learning, behaviour, emotional reactivity and health.’
Handbook of Early Childhood Development Research
and its Impact on Global Policy (2013)
However, evidence shows that early intervention can make a difference.

9. Definition of reciprocity
Reciprocity describes the sophisticated interaction between a baby and an adult where both are involved in the initiation, regulation and termination of the interaction. Reciprocity can also be used to describe the interaction within all relationships.

10. The Dance of Reciprocity
Peak of excitement
Acceleration
State of attention
Deceleration
Orientation
Withdrawal or
turning away
Initiation 10
Solihull Approach Antenatal 2 day Foudnation Training
Solihull Approach Fostering and Adoption TrainingSolihull Approach Antenatal 2 day Foudnation Training
Solihull Approach Preparing for Toddlerhood Seminar 10 10

11. Definition of containment
Containment is where a person receives and understands the emotional communication of another without being overwhelmed by it and communicates this back to the other person. This process can restore the ability to think in the other person.

12. Emotional Containment
Physical Containment
Emotional Containment

20. Supports for implementing Solihull into PHN Practice
Solihull Approach Resource Pack The First Five Years

21. Evaluation of Training
“The data indicates that 100% of delegates who attended both days of the course found the training to be “Highly relevant” to their work. This supports the idea that the training is relevant to the practitioners who were in attendance”
Emily Parks Solihull Research Team (2018)

22. Comments on Training
“Really practical useful skills for use with parents of young children for observing their interactions”.
“I really enjoyed this training and now have a better understanding of the science behind why we interact with children the way we do”.
“Thank you so much for such excellent training and relevant to my work”.
“Very insightful way of helping parents”.
“All PHNs should do this training”

23. Next Steps
Workshops
Two trainers to attend “Understanding Trauma Seminar” Links trauma to the Solihull Approach model, brain development, attachment & epigenetics
PHNs receive advanced training.
Research & evaluate implementation of Solihull Approach Foundation Course into PHN Practice in Dublin South West.

24. Thank You Ger McGoldrick DPHN
Jackie Austin ADPHN –My co trainer and supporter of the Solihull Approach Foundation Course.
The Solihull Team for their support.
The ADPHNs & PHNs in Dublin South West.

25. References
Margot Sunderland (2016)Science of Parenting; 2nd Ed. DK books New York
Solihull Approach Trainers Manual- Training Practitioners working with families, infants, children and young people.
Solihull Approach Resource Pack: The First Five Years.
Specialist Perinatal Mental Health services; Modal of Care for Ireland. HSE 2017.
Parks E, Rheeston M, (2018) Evaluation Report of 2 day Foundation Training in the Solihull Approach. Unpublished.