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Relationship-based early intervention services for children with complex needs: lessons from New Zealand

Carolyn Blackburn (Centre for the Study of Culture and Practice in Education, Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK)

Journal of Children's Services

ISSN: 1746-6660

Article publication date: 19 December 2016

649

Abstract

Purpose

A case study is reported of a relationship-based early intervention (EI) service for children with complex needs in New Zealand. The purpose of this paper is to explore parent and professional views and perceptions about the key characteristics of a relationship-based EI service.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study involved interviews and observations with 39 participants (10 children, 11 parents and 18 professionals).

Findings

Parents appreciated the knowledgeable, well-trained professionals who invested time in getting to know (and love) children and families and family practices, worked together in harmony and valued the contribution that parents made to their child’s progress and achievement. Professionals described the key characteristics of the service in terms of the range of therapies offered by the service, the focus on a strengths-based and family-focussed approach, play-based assessments, acceptance and value of family practices (including responsiveness to Maori and bi-culturalism), appropriate and respectful places to meet and greet families and work with children, and recruitment and retention of humble professionals who identified with the ethos of the model. Observable social processes and structures within the delivery of the model include respectful professional interactions and relationships with children and families, integrated professional working, effective and timely communication between professionals and families, pedagogy of listening, waiting and personalisation, engaged families and actively participating children.

Originality/value

This case study emphasises the significance of professional love and relational pedagogy to EI services and the value of this to improving parent-child relationships and children’s long-term outcomes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust in partnership with the Wave Trust and the Dulverton Trust as a Travelling Fellowship.

Citation

Blackburn, C. (2016), "Relationship-based early intervention services for children with complex needs: lessons from New Zealand", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 330-344. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-04-2016-0008

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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