Core Components

The Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme is a universal group-based prevention programme for parents of babies ages 0-12 months. The aim is for parents to have a positive and nurturing relationship with their baby, to encourage their baby’s physical and language development, to keep their baby safe and secure and to build a support network.

This programme, delivered over 9-12 weekly 2-hour sessions, is clearly operationalised with a comprehensive structured Leaders Manual in which the content of each session is fully described (session protocols) supported by 3 DVDs, weekly home assignments and handouts and a baby book and journal. The IY teaching methods are collaborative and include strategies such as; (1) video modelling (2) group discussion and support (3) practice activities with babies within sessions (4) home practice activities and (5) reading assignments (or audio). The presence of the babies alongside their parents, allows the group leaders to help parents practice the skills discussed in the group.

Delivery of the programme requires two trained leaders and focuses on 6 core topics (1) Getting to Know Your Baby (2) Babies as Intelligent Learners (3) Providing Physical, Tactile and Visual Stimulation (4) Parents Learning to Read Babies’ Minds (6) Babies’ Emerging Sense of Self. By delivering the programme in a group format, parents have the opportunity to build a support network and take part in shared learning.

Fidelity

Incredible Years® provides a fidelity of implementation’ framework for sites. The steps required to effectively replicate the programme and achieve good outcomes include use of (1) standardised intervention materials; (2) parent training by accredited group leaders; (3) weekly session protocols and participant evaluations; (4) ongoing group leader supervision, consultation and support by IY coaches or mentors; (5) fidelity monitoring using evidence-based measures and final summative evaluations and (6) agency organisational supports.

Modifiable Components

The programme is a universal programme but can be adapted for parents of babies who are at risk for abuse or neglect, or who are at higher risk of having babies with developmental problems.

Modifiable components are clearly identified, these include:

• Adjustment to the number of programme sessions depending on the target population whilst ensuring the minimum recommended sessions are achieved.
• Pacing discussions and adjusting the number and relevance of vignettes shown tailoring these according to the knowledge, stress or depression levels of the parents.
• The IY Home Coaching program may be added as a supplement to the group parent program for families who need more individualized assistance from group leaders who can coach parents to practice with their babies, for example with bathing, feeding, massaging, reading or singing. Or, for providing the complete program at home for families who cannot attend parent groups.

Materials for this program have been translated and are available in CD or USB format.

Support for Organisation / Practice

Incredible Years® Inc. is based in Seattle and offers a series of inter-locking evidence-based programmes targeting parents, teachers and children. The Incredible Years ® Parent and Babies Programme is one of a suite of IY parenting programmes and teacher programmes.

Implementation Support

Incredible Years® Inc. offers new sites/agencies considering use of any of the IY programs a consultation to answer questions and to discuss suitability of the selected programme for the intended population and implementation goals and needs. During this consultation, guidance relating to the importance of local data collection (baseline and follow-up), selecting the correct group leaders fit and, understanding the level of commitment and involvement needed to deliver the programme effectively is covered. Ongoing consultation or support is available at a cost of $210 per hour.

Incredible Years® Inc. provides agencies with a range of materials to support organisational readiness. These materials include an Administrator Packet & Brand License guide and agreement, an Agency Readiness Questionnaire, Administrator Implementation Pyramid, Fidelity Checklists, Cost Planning Spreadsheet and Evaluation questionnaires.

Licence Requirements

There is no licensing requirement to deliver the Incredible Years® Programmes. However, a Brand License Agreement is needed for use if IY materials on web sites.

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs include an upfront one-off purchase of the Parents and Babies Programme priced at $825.00 which includes 3 DVDs, Leader’s Manual, Incredible Babies book and Incredible Babies Journal, Baby Building Blocks and Baby Brain Neurons Posters and a Refrigerator Magnet. Additional Leader’s Manuals are available for purchase costing $90.00 plus shipping costs. Home coaching manuals are also available at additional cost of $85 per set.

The Parents and Babies Programme can also be purchased as a discounted combination programme price with the Parents and Toddler Programme at a cost of $1,560.

Agencies will also need to budget for the cost of the baby parent book for each group leader and all parents who attend the group. Cost for one book is $18.95 (bulk discounts are available).

Group leader training held over 2 days in Seattle is a requirement costing $460 per person. Alternatively, training can also be hosted at the agency site for a cohort of between 15-25 participants with onsite trainer fees of $1730-2100 per day (plus travel, food and lodging costs). Consultation by phone or in person post training for new groups leaders is recommended and is available at $210 per hour.

Building Staff Competency

Qualifications Required

IY recommend that group leaders require a Masters degree as a minimum or a professional diploma in an appropriate field such as therapists and parent educators from psychology, social work, education, nursing and psychiatry and have experience working with parents and children.

Training Requirements

Group leader training is a requirement and is a 2-day training course delivered in Seattle led by certified/accredited mentors. An additional day of training is required for the home coaching version of the programme. Agencies can also purchase training for delivery onsite to a cohort of 15-25 participants

Supervision Requirements

Consultation and coaching of leaders is highly recommended by Incredible Years® Inc. although not a requirement. The process includes weekly peer review and self-evaluation of videotapes utilizing process checklists, review of videotape feedback by an IY mentor, review of participant weekly evaluations, onsite consultations once or twice per year with an IY trainer and monthly telephone consultations. The cost of consultations with IY mentors or trainers is $210 per hour.

Accreditation of group leaders is highly recommended to promote assurance of fidelity program delivery although not a requirement unless the programme is being used as part of a research project. This process involves attending a 2-3 day workshop and passing a video review of a session and submission of an application packet that includes weekly parent evaluations and session protocols for two groups. The cost of becoming accredited is $600 which includes detailed video reviews (up to 2) and a supervisory report. If additional video reviews are required, these are available at $105 per hour. Highly competent accredited group leaders may be identified for additional training to become an IY Peer Coach in this programme to support new group leaders (which incurs additional costs).

Theory of Change

The Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme is guided by cognitive social learning theory, modelling, attachment, development theories and research. The use of real-life video clips helps parents understand the concepts being presented. The programme has an explicit logic model which describes the programmes short-term outcomes as (1) Improved parent confidence, support and knowledge of baby/child developmental milestones and safety needs; ability to provide optimal emotional, physical, tactile, visual and language stimulation and nutritional needs and (2) to fundamentally improve parent / child interactions and relationships to promote positive and nurturing parenting styles. The programmes longer-term outcomes aim to achieve improved child social and emotional well-being and improved child language, cognitive, emotional and physical development.

Values

The Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme seeks to develop positive nurturing relationships between parents and their babies helping their babies to develop socially and emotionally. It also seeks to help parents develop positive support networks with family and community. 

• Does promoting a positive nurturing relationship between parents and babies align with the key values of your service/organisation?
• Is helping parents develop a positive support network in your community a priority?

Priorities

The Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme has been developed as a prevention strategy for parents of babies 0 – 12 months to promote optimal baby development, nurturing of the parent baby relationship and to help parents to improve their understanding of babies’ developmental milestones and increase parents responsive and nurturing parenting along with understanding of how to set up a safe and secure environment.

• Is working with parents with babies aged 0–12 months in a prevention approach a current priority for your organisation?

Existing Initiatives 

• Does your service already provide prevention programmes aiming to improve baby/child development and mental health outcomes?
• Does your area have practitioners trained in delivering the Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme?
• Do you have links with CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services and Child Protection Services to refer onto if required?

Workforce

To deliver the Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme requires 2 trained leaders (training duration is 2 days) for 1 session per week for 9-12 weeks of the group including booster sessions.  Additionally, leaders will require additional time for preparation, phone calls and potentially home coaching visits. 

• Do you have enough qualified practitioners available to commit to undertake training?
• Do you have enough qualified practitioners available to commit to delivering the full extent of this programme?

Technology Support

To implement the Incredible Years® Parents and Babies programme from a technology perspective requires a TV monitor and DVD equipment or computer equipment for USB.

• Do you have access to adequate technology to support practitioners to effectively deliver the technological components of the programme?

Administrative Support

Administrative support is required to recruit parents, receive referrals, collect and report on evaluation data and feedback, print of materials along with co-ordinating and booking of venues, hospitality, transport and childcare.

• Do you have enough administrative capacity and systems to meet these administrative needs?
• Do you have access to a group room that can meet with needs of parents and their babies?

Financial Support

Initial start up costs include purchase of the programme at $825; and training for two practitioners ($460 pp in Seattle; or as part of a 15-25 person cohort on site $1730-2100, plus travel and subsistence). Post training consultation is available at $210 per hour. If group leaders apply to become certified/accredited additional funding is required.

• Do you have the finances to pay for practitioners to attend the training and any additional costs for practitioner book and manuals, consultations, coaching, mentoring and accreditation?

Ongoing costs include purchase of materials ($18.95 per parent) and the provision of a venue, hospitality, transport and childcare to deliver the programme. 

• Are you able to fund the recurring group delivery costs?

Comparable Population 

The Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme is designed as a universal programme for all parents with babies but can be modified to include relevant vignettes to fit with parents at risk for abuse and neglect. 

• Is this comparable to the population you serve?
• Does your organisation have existing contacts with parents in this population?
• Are you likely to receive enough referrals for eligible families to populate a recurring programme of Incredible Years® Parents and Babies groups?

Desired Outcome

Incredible Years® Parents and Babies Programme is a behaviour based preventative programme designed to help parents create a secure attachment with their babies, encourage optimal physical, language and brain development whilst increasing parents’ competencies. 

• Are the improvements of baby/children’s development, learning and mental health priority outcomes for your organisation?
• Do you have other existing initiatives that would be supportive of addressing this need and achieving these outcomes?