Celebrating progress and potential
Over two days in December 2015, Dr. Caroline White, Head of Children and Parents Service (CAPS) for Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, joined the team at NCB in Belfast to share learning and achievements in relation to early intervention and Incredible Years in particular.
The stunning Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts was the venue for a series of events which were attended by almost 100 delegates from statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations.
The opening event, on 9 December 2015, focused on implementation fidelity and explored both the progress and potential of Incredible Years in Northern Ireland since the initiation of the PHA-funded IYNI Co-ordination Project at NCB.
Speakers included Deirdre McAliskey, Head of Sector Support at NCB, Maria McAleese, Incredible Years Mentor, Maurice Meehan, Regional Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at PHA and Linda Drysdale, Department of Education.
The warmest reception of all however was reserved for those making the move from practice to the podium! Úna McCaughan from Dalriada Surestart spoke passionately about her personal and professional journey of continuous improvement through the IYNI Bursary Scheme which supported her to become one of Northern Ireland's most recently accredited IY group leaders.
Equally compelling was the testimony from Largymore P.S. Principal, Gillian Dunlop, who detailed the outcomes being experienced throughout the school community, including reductions in the number of children becoming 'statemented' or requiring external referral.
Special thanks go to Jeanette McCloskey, a parent whose family have been direct beneficiaries of Incredible Years. Bringing all of the work 'back home', Jeanette gave concrete examples of change for her family in managing bedtimes, reading and playing together and using praise and reward in 'catching children being good'.
IYNI Accreditation & Peer Coaching Success!
The IYNI Bursary Scheme, funded by PHA, has had amazing results and demonstrates the exceptional personal commitment of the newly accredited practitioners and their managers but also the collective potential that exists in Northern Ireland for delivering Incredible Years with fidelity.
We now have a newly accredited IY Peer Coach for Parent Programmes, Angela Nesbitt of Daisy Daycare, and seven newly accredited IY Group Leaders!
Four of these are accredited as Toddler Parent Group Leaders: Mary Magee and Jessica Leyburn (South Armagh Sure Start); and Úna McCaughan and Karen Cox (Dalriada Surestart).
Three are accredited as Pre-school Basic Parent Group Leaders: Breege O'Kane (Christ the Redeemer P.S.); and Roz McIlwaine and Rebecca Sylvest (Barnardos/East Belfast Family Connections).
Congratulations to all the successful participants!
Thanks to the entire IYNI Peer Coaching Team: Dr. Caroline White; Maria McAleese; Peadar McKenna; Angela Nesbitt and Ann Morelli for supporting this work.