The potential of all the ‘P's’—provision, practice and positioning of parenting programmes: can application of these collectively attain a P+ in early intervention for families within Northern Ireland?

Abstract

ABSTRACTConsideration is given in this article to the provision, practice and positioning of universal parenting programmes in Northern Ireland. The article commences with an outline of the provision of programmes that currently exist in Northern Ireland, progressing to an overview of the practice and the positioning of these programmes. This is followed by an outline of the political, economic and social context in which the universal parenting programmes have emerged. The article will then move on to explore in more detail some of the challenges and issues faced in relation to the provision, practice and positioning of programmes, drawing on available research to illuminate some points further. This is not an attempt to offer a definitive account of programmes through evidence from the many systematic reviews, but to provide a more discerning overview of some of the characteristics of the programmes. Taking a unique perspective of universal programmes which focuses on a synopsis of current provision, practice and positioning affords the opportunity to outline potential areas for future development. Local programme development and history is presented which subsequently allows for identification of confluent factors, contextual glimpses of the rise of programmes within the context of the change in familial structure and the negative view of families who are experiencing disadvantage. An intensive focus on the theoretical framework of programmes is juxtaposed against the less detailed understanding of identification of families, referral pathways, help-seeking behaviour and the barriers preventing the family benefiting from the programme. Programmes appear in Northern Ireland to be pervasively “stuck” within the societal attitude of those that seek help, bearing little relevance to parenting in Northern Ireland today. Little evidence could be found in Northern Ireland of long-term effectiveness for either the parents or child within universal delivery, although parents did report programme satisfaction in the main.