Program logic of a service collaboration to support parents with intellectual disability

Abstract

Background: This article describes the Steps to Confident Parenting (SCP) program, developed by an Australian family service consortium. The SCP integrates home-based and case-management services to enhance the skills of parents with a diagnosed or suspected intellectual disability/cognitive impairment and to prevent child protection interventions.

Method: 'Program explication' methodology documented the components/activities, and underpinning evidence for this practitioner designed service through interviews with nine agency staff. A literature review evaluated evidence for the implicit program benefit theory.

Results and conclusion: The SCP comprised five logically consistent components-Targeted Referral, Assessments, Initial Consultation, Program Delivery, Closure and Follow-up. Components generally had 'some' supportive evidence, however there was a 'lack of' evidence for Closure and Follow-up. In the context of a partnership seeking to build the evidence for the SCP, it was recommended that a protocol for a randomised trial evaluation with longer term follow-up be drafted by the consortia.

Keywords: intellectual disability; intervention; parent–child relationship; program explication.