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”