iHV publishes ‘Transforming Perinatal and Infant Mental Health: A mixed-methods evaluation of the iHV Champions Programme’

The iHV is delighted to share the very positive findings of a mixed-methods evaluation of their flagship Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Champions Training Programme. Results suggest that the Programme is a credible, effective, and scalable approach to workforce development and system transformation. Practitioners who are trained as Champions are shown to become local leaders, driving improved care through enhanced knowledge, motivation, and collaborative practice.

The iHV has been delivering training in mental health since 2013, initially to health visitors and, subsequently, to multi-agency audiences. There are currently over 4,500 Champions trained across the whole portfolio which now includes perinatal and infant mental health, fathers, and LGBTQI+ people programmes. Thanks to generous funding from The AIM Foundation, the iHV research team, led by Dr Sharin Baldwin, conducted a three-part evaluation that included:

Analysis of pre- and post-training data across different training formats
An online survey completed by 111 Champions from across the UK
Thirteen in-depth qualitative interviews supplemented by three case studies

Reflecting the views of a total of 2,151 participants, the evaluation shows that the Programme enhances practitioners’ understanding and capacity to support families, while fostering leadership, advocacy, and system-wide change throughout the UK.

The report findings were launched today, 9 September, at the iHV PIMH Champions Forum. These quarterly online events were established as one of the key elements of the Programme, along with bulletins, webinars, and conferences, that enable continuous professional development for Champions and create opportunities for multi-agency networking across the UK. The evaluation findings highlight the value that Champions place on being part of this wider iHV community of practice, fostering a sense of shared purpose and motivation.

Alison Morton, CEO iHV, said:

“We have known for many years that the iHV PIMH Champions Programme is a clinically and cost-effective model to ultimately make a difference for babies, children, and families. Now we have the evidence to prove it. When Champions are well-supported by their organisations to engage fully with professional networks, and cascade our highly-regarded, evidence-based programme locally, they make a huge difference. We see earlier identification and support for parental and infant mental health problems that lead to better outcomes and reduced health inequalities.”

To read the full report, click here

To cite this paper, please use this link: https://bit.ly/4ngbiOC

For further information on any of the iHV training programmes, click here or contact [email protected]

To find out more about the history of the iHV Champions Programme and its underlying Theory of Change see Research Papers Published – iHV.

We need you! Are you:

An experienced SCPHN (minimum of 3 years)?
Passionate about leadership within SCPHN practice with experience in a specialist or clinical leadership role?
Willing to support one mentee at a given time for a minimum of 4 sessions?
Suitably supported by your employer to participate and provide mentorship for future leaders?

We are thrilled to see the exponential growth in interest for our iHV Leading Excellence in Practice leadership programme. We are delighted to see the next generation of aspiring SCPHNs stepping forward to become leaders for the profession and are loving the energy they are bringing with them.

Part of our Leading Excellence in Practice programme is the provision of mentorship to support the candidate on their leadership journey through the programme. We believe so many of you have so much to offer the profession in terms of gentle guidance based upon your own journey and your experience. Our mentors regularly share how much they gain from mentorship, and we also know that the candidates really value the mentorship they receive through the programme, in terms of the additional perspective it offers them.

The role of leadership mentors for this programme is:

As a ‘critical friend’, a mentor is able to offer guidance, support and form a positive one-to-one relationship with their mentees.
To provide encouragement and guidance using a range of approaches to support the mentees in their development as future leaders.
To create a supportive, challenging and reflective learning environment during the one-to-one sessions to help them focus on their strengths and areas for development.
To guide (but not direct) the mentee to support their personal development in line with the learning outcomes of the iHV Leading Excellence in Practice programme.

The commitment to the mentee in terms of time is:

Attendance at a virtual Mentor Briefing: 25 April 2023 – 3:00-4:30pm via Zoom (details to follow) – SAVE THE DATE!!
Provide mentorship meetings for one hour (x 4 virtual meetings) for one candidate in either of the following cohorts:
- May 2023 (with mentor meetings in June, Sept, Nov & Dec)
- June 2023 (with mentor meetings in July, Oct, Dec, Feb)
- July 2023 (with mentor meetings in Sept, Nov, Jan, March)

How to apply:

If you would like to become an iHV Leadership Programme Mentor and meet the criteria at the top of this email, please complete the expression of interest form below by 3April 2023: