The study will see two field trials run across two sites to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a new tool to support the promotion of infant wellbeing and social development, and by enhancing health visitors’ ability to identify infants at risk.
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The study will be funded through a grant from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, whose patron is the Princess of Wales, and will be run in partnership with the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) and led by Professor Jane Barlow from the University of Oxford.
The Centre for Early Childhood seeks to raise awareness of why early childhood matters and to translate this evidence from neuroscience into practice.
The study will see health visitors trained to use a new observation tool, the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB), which is well-validated and widely used internationally to promote infant wellbeing and social development with parents.
The ADBB aids the observation and interpretation of different aspects of babies’ social behaviours, such as eye contact, facial expression, vocalisation, activity levels and how they connect with the people, and will be used as part of the health visitor’s routine visit with all families.
Prof Barlow said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to focus on babies’ behaviour, using the new observation tool. We can learn so much by using it and potentially help identify those families where additional support might be needed.”
The trial will involve health visitors working in the two selected sites of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust. An Expert Advisory Group comprising senior academics, government officials and key stakeholders will provide expert advice on the study.
Alison Morton, iHV chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, and Professor Jane Barlow on this exciting new programme of work with health visitors.”
