Does Training Enhance Professional Practice in Infant Mental Health?

Abstract

The lack of robust evaluation of training outcomes has been noted within the delivery of Health & Social Care across the UK. The impact on adult mental health of poor emotional care during infancy and early childhood has also been highlighted by the relatively recent advancements in neuroscience. This study used pre- and post-testing to assess practice across three key domains. The gains observed in staff knowledge and confidence post-training are directly attributable to the training: p < .001 (Knowledge Scores) and p = .001 (Self-Efficacy Scores). Key findings also indicate that Infant Mental Health (IMH) training has potential to encourage staff in Adult Services to take more ownership of a family focused agenda and that current service provision struggles to meet the needs of high-risk infants. With a clear focus on robust methodology, this study measures IMH training outcomes on a multi-professional basis across Adult Mental Health and Children’s Services within  one Health & Social Care Trust (NI). The findings also add to our understanding of the interface between social work and other services who seek to support families with complex needs.

Keywords:

• infant mental health
• adult mental health
• children’s services
• training outcomes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Ulster University for supporting this project. We are also grateful to those staff who generously participated in the evaluation.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Teresa Hughes

Teresa Hughes, Knocknashinna Family Centre, Downpatrick South Eastern Trust Health & Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland. She has a special interest in infant mental health. Teresa completed this research as part of the Research and Evaluation Methods course at Ulster University. Correspondence to: Teresa Hughes, 37 Knocknashinna Rd, Downpatrick, BT30 6RE, Northern Ireland. Email: [email protected]

Anne McGlade

Anne McGlade, Social Care Research Lead, Health and Social Care Board, Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is responsible for leading on strategic developments for research and evidence in social work and social care. She is also a co tutor on the Research and Evaluation Methods course Ulster University.

Campbell Killick

Campbell Killick, Ulster University, Derry, Northern Ireland. He is a social work lecturer at Ulster University. He has recently moved from the post of Research Officer with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.