February 2010 Researching the Incredible Years Toddler Parenting Programme in Wales Nia Griffith Bangor University Supervised by Professor Judy Hutchings and Dr Dave Daley Nia Griffith Bangor University Supervised by Professor Judy Hutchings and Dr Dave Daley

Poverty in Wales 200, 000 children in Wales living in poverty Defined as living in poverty if weekly income after housing costs falls below 60% of the median income for families of this type (WAG, 2010) 200, 000 children in Wales living in poverty Defined as living in poverty if weekly income after housing costs falls below 60% of the median income for families of this type (WAG, 2010)

Negative Outcomes.. Poor physical health Poor mental health Delayed child development Abuse Behavioural and emotional difficulties Poor academic achievement Poor employment prospects Adolescent and adult delinquency Poor physical health Poor mental health Delayed child development Abuse Behavioural and emotional difficulties Poor academic achievement Poor employment prospects Adolescent and adult delinquency

Flying Start Flying start initiative aims to fund high quality services for children aged 0-3 years in disadvantaged areas in Wales Estimated 25, 000 children aged 0-3 living within FS catchment areas Families targeted by area of residence, with investment of £2, 000 per child in the form of: Extra health visitor visits Free childcare Basic skills Parenting courses Flying start initiative aims to fund high quality services for children aged 0-3 years in disadvantaged areas in Wales Estimated 25, 000 children aged 0-3 living within FS catchment areas Families targeted by area of residence, with investment of £2, 000 per child in the form of: Extra health visitor visits Free childcare Basic skills Parenting courses

The Evaluation Two types of Partners Main Randomised Controlled Trial Pre and Post-Intervention Measures Groups Participants Parents of children aged between 12 and 36 months Families living in Flying Start areas Recruitment Families recruited by group leaders in each area Randomisation Random allocation by NWORTH (North Wales Organization for Randomised Trials in Health) Allocated on 2:1 Ratio Intervention: Waiting list control Stratified for age and sex Control families wait 6 months for Intervention

RCT Research locations North Wales Sites Blaenau Ffestiniog Caernarfon (Maesincla) Bangor (Maesgeirchen) Holyhead Mid Wales Sites Welshpool South Wales Sites Rhondda Cynon Taf (Porth) Blaenau Gwent (Llanhilleth) Neath (Britton Ferry)

Measures Developmental Measures Measure of Home Environment Parent Measures Direct Observation

Sample Characteristics 89 families Parent age at Baseline (M= 29.97, SD= 6.72) range years. 24% Welsh first language. 54% <20 Years at birth of 1 st child.

Sample Characteristics cont. 53% living in council/housing association houses. 20% had concerns about their childs development 26% reported having felt low/helpless or depressed at some point since the birth of their child 15% had an immediate family member with a drugs/alcohol problem, 14% had an immediate family member who had been involved in some form of criminal activity. 36% left school without any qualifications

Comparison of FS and National Average Characteristic Flying Start Sample (103 dyads) Social Trends 2007* Lone Parent Families31%24% Age of parent at birth of 1 st Child 22.1 years27.3 years Living below recognised poverty indicator WAG (2010) 53% Actual 16% Probable 17% Information sourced from: Social Trends No.37 (2007). London: Office for National Statistics

Positive Impacts of Flying Start

MeasureBaseline Score6-month FU Score Significance Level SOGS DQ P <.05 BDI II P <.05 WEMWBS P <.05 PSI-SF P <.05 IT-HOME P <.05 Significant improvements on main outcome measures for families living in FS area over 6-month period. Main Measures

Added benefits of IY Toddler Parenting Programme for Intervention Families living in Flying Start areas?

Differences between the Basic and the Toddler Parenting programme. Similarities Same principals Collaborative learning Process Brain storming/role-play/home activities Focus on coaching Group structure Differences Removal of consequences Addition of more age appropriate sessions Developmental checklists Similarities Same principals Collaborative learning Process Brain storming/role-play/home activities Focus on coaching Group structure Differences Removal of consequences Addition of more age appropriate sessions Developmental checklists

SHORT TERM DATA

Preliminary Analysis WEMWBS Significant improvement demonstrated in parent report mental well-being at 6 month follow-up, measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). No significant changes were observed for the control group Significant improvement demonstrated in parent report mental well-being at 6 month follow-up, measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (NHS Health Scotland, 2006). No significant changes were observed for the control group

Preliminary Analysis of DPICS Significant improvement in observed critical parenting statements directed towards the target child at 6 month follow-up, measured by DPICS (Eyberg & Robinson, 2000). No significant changes were observed for the control group.

Preliminary Analysis of DPICS Significant improvement in observed physical negatives directed towards the target child at 6 month follow-up, measured by DPICS (Eyberg & Robinson, 2000). No significant changes were observed for the control group.

LONG TERM DATA

Further Analysis of PSI No significant improvements for the Intervention group at 6- months. No significant changes were observed for this group at 12- months either.

Further Analysis of BDI No significant improvements for the Intervention group at 6-months. A significant reduction in total BDI for intervention families at 12-months.

Further Analysis of IT HOME No significant improvements for the Intervention group at 6-months. A significant improvement in total HOME score for intervention families at 12-months.

Further Analysis of SOGS DQ No significant improvements for the Intervention group at 6-months. A significant improvement in DQ for intervention families at 12-months.

Conclusions Significant benefits of FS in general Added benefits of attending the IY Toddler programme for negative parenting and parent mental wellbeing Continued long-term improvements for intervention families Significant benefits of FS in general Added benefits of attending the IY Toddler programme for negative parenting and parent mental wellbeing Continued long-term improvements for intervention families

Thank you for listening! Diolch am wrando!