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Progressive Universalism as Parenting Policy in Ireland: Blending Social Support with Proven Programmes
Prof. Pat Dolan in collaboration with Dr Celia Keenaghan; Dr Aisling Gillen (HSE) and Liam Coen,
Child and Family Research Centre National University of Ireland, Galway
In this paper….1. Parenting in Ireland Historical (light touch!)
2. New Policy - Targeted Universalism (For All - and for some in need) – Tiger to Tigger Economy
2. Investment Issue in Parenting - ‘Proven Programmes’ but with Reflective Practices and Common sense interventions
3. Social Support Theory a Policy Common Denominator - “spot” Test this on Teen Parents and Sole Parents
Irish Historical Context on parenting
• Ireland Indigenous Only• Two Parent• Primarily Catholic - Large Family• Close Near by Ties in Rural and Urban Contexts• Major Change in Irish Demographics /Citizenship
So A massive learning curve and change in Ireland!
- National Childrens’ Strategy (2000)- Investing in Parenthood (2002)- Report on I. in P.Evidence Base and Action Plan (in press)__________________________________________National Service Outcomes for Children in Irelandare that each child would be:
• healthy, both physically and mentally• supported in active learning• safe from accidental and intentional harm• economically secure• secure in the immediate and wider physical environment
• part of positive networks of family, friends, neighbours and the community
Parents Key Players
Why Support Parents in Ireland?
For Children & Families Better outcomes for childrenPreventing Problems
Effective Family FunctioningFor Communities Healthy Communities
Promoting Social InclusionFor Society Effective Use of Resources
Productive, well- educated workforceReduction of inequalitiesPromoting Active CitizenshipDeveloping Human and Social Capital
Defining parentingParenting Tasks
Responsibility Task
Give physical careGive affectionGive positive regardProvide emotional securitySet boundariesAllow room to developTeach social behaviourHelp develop skillsHelp cognitive developmentFacilitate social activity
Feeding, shelter, rest, health, protectionOvert physical and verbal warmth and comfortGive approval, sensitivity to signals, responsiveness Consistent and predictable warmth, sensitivity and comfortClear statements on what is acceptable, good supervisionProvide and allow challenges within the child’s capabilityModel reliability, reasonableness, and assertivenessEncourage learning and exploration, be responsive in playReading, constructive play, monitor schoolingFacilitate peer contact and provide new experiences
The concept of positive parenting - characteristics:
• Is authoritative, not authoritarian
• Emphasises strong support, warmth and responsiveness
• Promotes an in depth understanding of the child’s daily life
• Expects the child to follow rules within a space of understanding, not control
• Encourages communication and discussion – is democratic
• Is reciprocal: that parent – child interaction is a two-way process
• Is underpinned by dignity, where the adult recognises the individual child and adjusts accordingly, and assumes full responsibility for the quality of the relationship with the child
• Involves the child in decision making
• Is non-violent
Defining Parent Support Within the Health Services Context
Population based and targeted parenting programmes
Social Support within Family Support
Services to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of children
Parent Support
Irish Health Services Executive (Four Regions) Funded Parenting Programmes and Supports
TYPE EXAMPLES COVERAGE LEVELUNIVERSAL
LEVELTARGETED
Media/Television Triple P - Articles Regional
Web-based www.hse.iewww.families.ie
NationalRegional Information
Phone Helplines Parentline (partial funding) National
Home Based Public Health Nursing (PHN) Developmental Screening and Surveillance VisitsPHN’s delivering Triple PBarnardosCommunity Services*Community MothersLifestart Homestart Teen Parent Support Programme
National
Local (Longford/Westmeath)LocalNational East CoastRegional and LocalLocal (parts of , and Athenry)Regional
Group based BarnardosHospital Ante-Natal ClassesFas le Cheile support programme for children of school going age.Lifestart Group Parenting ProgrammeTriple PIncredible Years
LocalNationalRegional
LocalLocalLocal
Centre Based Hospital ServicesParentstopParent and Toddler GroupsBarnardosSpringboardCommunity ServicesPlaycentres for Non-Resident ParentsTeen Parent Support Programme
NationalLocalLocalLocalRegionalNationalLocalLocal
School Based Incredible Years Regional and Local
Clinical Community Services Hospital ServicesMarte MeoHanenTriple P
National NationalLocalRegionalRegional
Irish interest in Proven Programmes (RCTs)•Better Outcomes? -Evaluation should not exceed the Attention on -or Value of practice (Canavan et al 2009)•Risk of Robotic practices given that parenting is ‘Natural’•Risk of Programme Rich and Practice Poor
A Cupped Model for Understanding Family Support in a social support context
Child
ACHIEVING RIGHTS / MEETING NEEDS
Parents (siblings)
Other Family / Friends
School / Community / Leisure Interests
Semi Formal / Formal Family Support Practitioners
Community / Voluntary / Statutory
Agencies / Services / Organisations
National Policy / Legislation
A Key Lynchpin
Dolan et al 2006
Connecting Parenting to Social Support Theory
“Responsive acts of assistance between human beings” Tracy and Whittaker (1994)
Its Proven Buffer to Stress role
One of the few proven areas of Social Science (From medical research)
Defining Social Support
“Responsive acts of assistance between human beings” Tracy and Whittaker (1994)
Its Proven Buffer to Stress role
One of the few proven areas of Social Science (From medical research)
Defining Social Support
Key issues in Support to Parents
Informal and Formal
(Ghate and Hazel 2002)
Hidden Support as most effective (Cutrona et al 2010)
Levitt’s Convoy Model of Support (Levitt, 1998)
Tangible
Emotional Advice
Balance and Buoyancy
Dolan. 2008
TEA as Types of Social Support in Parenting
Parents
Give it and Get it
CARDS as Qualities of Social Support and Parenting
Dolan. 2008
CloseAdmonishPositively
Reciprocal Durable
Sustainable
For Teenage ParentsHidden and Durable Support
Particularly from ParentsPerceived Support –
Key how they viewed help on offer.Convoyed Networks
Enabling them to Access Education/Services
Social Provisions Scale (Dolan, Cutrona and Russell 2010)
Measures Social Support in Children/Parents for Quantity and Quality of support
For Sole Parents
Level of Support – Unsatisfied not Dissatisfiedwith support from service providers
Tangible Support – Housing Money & Work.Advice Support -someone to turn to
particularly if concerned about their Child
(Miller, et al 2008)
Successful and Happy Parenting
Strong informalSupport to/fromParentsTea and Cards
PlentifulEvidence ‘Informed’
As well asEvidence ‘Led’ Interventions
BalanceUniversal
& TargetedState support
Epidemiology
Service Data Systems
Interagency Good Practice
Prevention and Intervention Good Practice
Current Structures, Processes,Practices
Revised Structures, Processes, Practices
Better Outcomes for children and adolescents
Canavan, et al in press
A Connected Conceptual Model
from “Design to Outcomes”