Supporting place-based leadership in perinatal and infant mental health for wholescale change
When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower”
Background
The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) has a credible track record for up-skilling health visitors and others in Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (PIMH). Through the iHV Champion model, we have created over 1,500 Multiagency PIMH Champions in England, supporting them to become leaders and ambassadors for PIMH. Champions equipped with training resources have cascaded the learning to well over 10,000 multi-agency practitioners.
Aim
To provide iHV PIMH Champions with essential support to grow and sustain their roles as Champions – leading improvements in PIMH at every local level across England.
Methods and Results
Providing PIMH training without ongoing support is not enough to sustain leadership at a local level. To enable maximum impact for families, we must continue to develop confidence, competence and commitment. The iHV is achieving this through the Champions movement by establishing regional PIMH Champion Forums across England, bringing together Champions 3 times per year locally plus one national meeting. iHV Forums are modelled on principles of place-based leadership, enabling alignment with regional clinical networks to integrate and improve local care pathways and services. All Forums include a research project to develop the evidence base.
> Visit the Institute of Health Visiting charity website