Consultancy from the Parent-Infant Foundation

Introduction

As part of our development support offer to new and emerging services, we offer support packages to developing services using consultants from our team of clinical associates. This reflects our approach drawing on the expertise out there in specialised parent-infant relationship teams and cascading this out to the wider early years sector to help develop parent-infant relationship services (PAIRS) and teams more widely across the UK.

How much time is offered in a support package?

Packages can be for a few months or a rolling yearly contract. They can include agreements to have regular consultancy meetings, deliver workshops and training, as well as help to write strategic documents. The nature of the package will be drawn in conversation with you, and take into account your budget, the type of help you need and the availability of the consultant.

Who are the PIF associates?

Our associates are typically clinical psychologists or child / parent-psychotherapists (or equivalent) who have led and worked in specialised parent-infant relationship teams. They all have direct and current experience of developing parent-infant services and of working as a specialist parent-infant clinician.

Associates are recruited from the pool of PAIRS Clinical Leads across the UK.  We support our associates via regular meetings.

What topics can be covered?

The contract we draw up with each team will be tailored to meet their particular needs, and can include any of the following:

  • Analysis of local needs
  • Service mapping
  • Involving user voice (parents and babies) in service design
  • Team composition and recruitment
  • Workforce development and training
  • Data collection and outcome measurements
  • Reporting to funders and wider comms
  • Clinical interventions
  • Developing care pathways
  • Policy development
  • Consultation models for working with the wider early years system
  • Strategy development
  • Running workshops/training

Online tools and resources

All packages can include guided use of our suite of online tools and resources:

The Service Mapping Tool

A tool to map what services exist in an area. Can be used to evidence the gaps, as well as developing to pathways and referral routes when developing new PAIRS.

Visit Resource

The Network Resource Library

An online library of resources from parent-infant teams, including policies, job descriptions, assessment tools, strategy documents and a record of all Parent-Infant Foundation learning events.

Visit Resource

The Commissioning Toolkit

Supporting the commissioning of a parent-infant team.

Visit Resource

The Impact of Teams

An overview of the evidence for the impact of parent-infant teams.

Visit Resource

The Implementation Toolkit

Guidance on how to set up a parent-infant team.

Visit Resource

Packages of support

We offer different packages of support each of which you would be assigned a dedicated associate from one of our clinical and service development experts, who you can access for advice as you go along. Some examples are as follows:

  • Two hours of meetings per month plus email support and equivalent amount background work.
    Cost: £300 per month
  • Three meetings per month plus email support and approx. three hours of background work.
    Cost: £450 per month
  • Four meetings per month plus four hours of background work.
    Cost: £600 per month

Any additional work, such as writing proposals or reports, running workshops or training sessions can be added in at a cost of £600 per day, plus travel and accommodation costs if needed.

Included in any package

  • Membership of our Network
  • Invitation to learning events
  • Access to our online Network library of resources
  • Ad hoc advice from your allocated associate

Next steps and how it works

If you are interested in receiving some support from one of our associates, then please get in touch with our Network and Events Manager [email protected]. Gemma will set up a meeting with our Head of Development to discuss your needs and options. We will then match you with an associate, set up a contract and introduce you to each other.

How is the work reviewed?

We will remain responsible for the work and you will be invited to a review of the work after three months and at the end of the contract. This is usually held between the contract lead and the Head of Development at the Parent-Infant Foundation.