The need for and the impact of a community-based intervention for parents of children with developmental disabilities: A model project in rural Ireland.

Parents of children with developmental disabilities are at greater risk of poor mental health and social isolation that is compounded by family circumstances and living in rural settings. Often little personal support is available to parents. Family-centred interventions have been endorsed internationally for promoting children’s development as well as enhancing parental wellbeing. Yet current service provision is predominately child-focussed and clinic-centred.

An innovative family-centred support service was designed and evaluated in a rural county of Ireland. Support staff visit the family home every two weeks for around one year. Developmental goals for the child are agreed with parents alongside actions to address the needs of parents and siblings. Community activities are identified or created to promote the social inclusion of the child and family in local communities as well as social activities for mothers.

Thus far 85 families have been involved with this ongoing project. Baseline information on parents’ mental health and social isolation was gathered. A majority of parents had below average scores on a standardised measure of parental well-being as well low participation in social and community activities.

These measures have been repeated with 42 parents who have completed their involvement with the project to date along with qualitative information of parents' experiences. Most parents achieved their chosen targets, particularly greater involvement in community activities, increased knowledge and skills along with more confidence and resilience. Significant increases in their well-being scores were reported but with limited impact on their social participation. Covid 'lock-downs' in recent months may have contributed to the latter.

This evidence-based model of provision is an example of how current social care provision for families who have a child with developmental disabilities could be transformed even in rural areas at a relatively low cost.