This course affords a unique opportunity to receive training in an evidence-based intervention to support infant mental health. Students will learn to identify areas of risk and resilience in infant mental health and offer meaningful support to infants and families.

Training dependent (200 notional learning hours)

None

None

1. 50% Podcast of personal reflection on training experience (14-18mins) (ILOs 1, 2 & 4)

2. 50% Critical evaluation of the evidence base for an intervention of their choosing (1800-2000 words) (ILOs 3 & 5)

Students will be able to appraise the evidence base to inform their choice of intervention and will receive training in that intervention.

Students will learn to recognise, respond to and share infant communication with the caregiver.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Appraise the value and methods of recognising infant behaviour as communication to: a) observe and identify what is going well for the baby and highlight the parent's role in this; b) sensitively and respectfully model optimal communication with the infant; c) model the provision of sensitive caregiving; d) identify problems in caregiving

2. Appraise the value and methods of communicating an awareness and appreciation of the infant's feelings to: a) model optimal communication with the infant; b) model the provision of sensitive caregiving; c) identify problems in caregiving; d) provide links to other resources that focus on sensitive caregiving; e) provide appropriate dyadic/triadic support to address problems

3. Synthesize the evidence to support targeting intervention to the infant's unique context and identify key areas of focus for intervention (e.g. infant, dyad, triad)

4. Effectively critically evaluate an evidence-based intervention through accredited training.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.