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For healthcare professionals

The Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRS) is a multi-disciplinary service that aims to support families who are finding it difficult to develop a positive relationship with their baby or young child. 


In particular it aims to help parents/carers: 


  • Feel connected to their baby/child and experience healthy relationships.
  • Experience less stress and anxiety with reduced indication of stress in babies and children
  • Increase their problem solving and practical skills so that they have increased confidence in their relationships with their babies/children. 
a health visitor supporting a mother and baby
a health visitor visiting a mum and baby
a GP sits across the desk from a patient

Who is eligible?

The service is for birthing women, expectant dads and partners, new parents and primary caregivers, (including parents, foster carers, grandparents, or others who may be in this role) with infants up to the age of two.


It is for people who live in Kent County Council administrative boundaries. 


Eligibility criteria may include: 
  

  • Infants with signs of emerging infant mental health needs, and attachment difficulties. 
  • Parent/carer identified as having concerns that they are not bonding with their baby. 
  • Parent/carer is concerned that they do not have a positive relationship with their baby. 
  • Parent/carer is concerned that a difficult relationship with their own parent(s) is having a negative impact on their capacity to connect with/parent their baby. 
  • Parent/carer is concerned with negative thoughts and feelings about the relationship with their baby. 
  • Parent/carer has encountered a traumatic experience that is impacting on the developing relationship with their baby. 
  • Parent/carer is facing additional difficulties such as physical or emotional ill health that may be having a negative impact on their experience of becoming a parent. 


What support is offered?

Referrals will be triaged by a senior clinician and, where appropriate, will be allocated to a specialist with a relevant skillset within two working days. 


Within 15 working days from triage, an assessment will be arranged with the service user. 


The assessment, where information is gathered through sensitive and specialised observation, will take place over one or two appointments.


Following assessment, a treatment plan will be collaboratively created. This will be customised based on observations during the assessment. The timescale for the delivery of the plan will be communicated at that point. In the interim, service users will be directed to use a suite of online resources to support the parent-infant relationship. 

How do I make a referral?

Complete the referral form via our secure electronic Case Management System.
You will receive confirmation that it has been received and has progressed onto the triage stage.

How does the service work?

A quick response

Referrals will be triaged by a senior clinician and, where appropriate, will be allocated to a specialist with a relevant skillset within two working days. Within 15 working days from triage, an assessment will be arranged with the service user.

Once a professional refers you to us, we will review your information quickly. We guarantee to look at it and offer guidance within two working days because we know that reaching out for help is a big step, and we don’t want you left waiting or worrying.

Assessment

The assessment, in which information is gathered through sensitive and specialised observation, will take place over one or two appointments. Clinicians utilise screening tools and their clinical judgement to reach a shared understanding of the challenges the family is facing.

Tailored support

Following assessment, a treatment plan will be collaboratively created. This will be customised based on observations during the assessment. The timescale for the delivery of the plan will be communicated at that point. In the interim, service users will be directed to use a suite of online resources to support the parent-infant relationship. 

What if my referral is unsuccessful?

In this instance, we would advise both you and the parent/carer that we are unable to offer the service, most likely due to eligibility criteria.

We will make recommendations and signpost the family to other local resources or services.

As the original referrer, we will provide you with tailored clinical advice and consultation on how to support the family in the short to medium term.

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