Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of a Parent Education Programme

This article describes the multi-disciplinary development of a Preparation for Parenthood programme in the north of the United Kingdom. The programme was based on the parent education guidelines published by the UK Department of Health in 2011, ‘Preparation for birth and beyond: a resource pack for leaders of community groups and activities’. A six-week programme was designed (five antenatal sessions and one postnatal) and piloted in six areas in West Yorkshire. Facilitators worked in twos and comprised health visitors, midwives and nursery nurses. Each group of parents was supported by a volunteer ‘mum’ from a local peer support and signposting service. A comprehensive evaluation of the pilot was undertaken, with feedback obtained from participants both before and after their babies were born, and from the facilitators. Parental satisfaction with the programme was high. The facilitators enjoyed delivering a participative, strengths-based programme and working with colleagues from other disciplines.