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Are you a healthcare or support professional?

For referring professionals

Led by psychological therapists, the Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRS) supports families who are finding it difficult to develop a positive relationship with their baby or young child. 


In particular it aims to help parents/carers:


  • Feel more connected to their baby/child and experience healthy relationships
  • Experience less anxiety and improve their mental health 
  • Support babies’ early development and wellbeing
  • Build confidence around their relationships with their babies/children.


a health visitor supporting a mother and baby
a mum opens the door to a midwife
a GP sits across the desk from a patient

Who is eligible?

The service is for birthing people, expectant dads and partners, new parents and primary caregivers, (including parents, foster carers, adoptive parents, step-parents, grandparents, or others who may be in this role) with infants up to the age of two.

It is for people who live in Kent County Council administrative boundaries. 


Referrals will be accepted from healthcare professionals and a range of multi-agency sources. Self-referrals, or those made through family or friends cannot be accepted.


We can typically help if:


  • A parent is concerned that they are not bonding with their baby
  • A parent is concerned that they do not have a positive relationship with their baby
  • A parent has encountered a traumatic experience that is impacting on the developing relationship with their baby
  • A parent is facing additional difficulties such as physical or emotional ill health that may be negatively affecting the parent-infant relationship
  • A parent is concerned that their own experience of being parented is negatively impacting their capacity to connect with/parent their infant


For a full breakdown of our referral criteria please email:

contact@pairskent.info


How do I make a referral?

Complete the referral form via our secure electronic Case Management System. You will receive confirmation that it has been received and has progressed onto triage.


If you have queries or questions regarding a referral, or would like to discuss eligibility, please contact us.

Call 01227 250 423 or email contact@pairskent.info to speak to a member of the team.


Clinical consultations will be available within standard working hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
  

Who can refer?

  
Referrals can be made by professionals including:


  • Health visitors
  • Midwives
  • Family Hub staff
  • Mental health professionals
  • Infant feeding specialists
  • Specialist breastfeeding support
  • GPs


If you’re not sure whether you are a suitable referrer, please contact us to discuss.

How does the service work?

A quick response

Referrals will be triaged by a senior clinician who will provide triage advice and guidance within two working days, from receipt of referral. Eligible parents/caregivers, will be offered a telephone call (where consent is provided), followed by a face-to-face assessment. 

Assessment

During assessment information is gathered through sensitive and specialised observation. This will usually take place over one or two appointments.

Clinicians utilise screening tools and their clinical judgement to reach a shared understanding of the challenges the family is facing.

Tailored support

Following assessment, a treatment plan will be collaboratively created, based around the individual family needs. The timescale for the delivery of the plan will be communicated at that point. In the interim, service users will be directed to use a suite of online resources to support the parent-infant relationship.  

What if my referral is unsuccessful?

If we are unable to help, we will make recommendations which may include signposting the family to other local resources or services. 

As the original referrer, we will provide you with tailored clinical advice and consultation on how to best support the family.

Consultation service for healthcare and support professionals

Telephone consultation is available to healthcare professionals who are working with parent-infant relationships across Kent.  


We provide family-specific advice and guidance to strengthen knowledge and learning about parent-infant relationships.


Even if you think a PAIRS referral is not indicated, consultation provides the opportunity to think together with one of our senior clinicians. 


The complexities of working with families during the antenatal and perinatal period can be explored, with a view to support decision making and your work with the family.  At times, a referral to PAIRS may be recommended.

Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
01227 250 423

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