Motivating Parent-Carer Engagement

Abstract

Introduction: Our project aimed to increase parent-carers’ opportunities and capacity for active engagement in their child’s OT journey and therefore, enhancing the child and family’s therapeutic outcomes. This need is supported by literature evidence that indicates benefits of active parent-carer engagement and integrating therapy into existing daily routines, as well as the importance of a family centred approach.

Objectives: The community objective was, ‘By the end of 9 weeks, Motivate Kids (MK) parent-carers will have an increased self-awareness and understanding of when and how they can access support services if they choose.’ The agency objective was, ‘By the end of 9 weeks, MK OTs will have the capacity to provide parent-carers with the appropriate resources to facilitate opportunities for access to support services.’ The advocacy objective was, ‘By the end of 9 weeks, LACs have an increased awareness of the need for parent-carers support throughout their child's OT journey.’

Discussion and Outcomes: To address the identified need, a ‘Roadmap for supporting parent-carers’, an ‘up-skilling OTs video’, and a ‘Letter to Minister’ were created in collaboration with key stakeholders and the MK community. Upon reflection of the project process and the resources created, it was evident that the MK community experienced an increase in knowledge and awareness of the need, therefore achieving short-term community and agency outcomes. Key factors identified that influence parent-carer engagement in therapy include time and burnout, misunderstanding of expectations, and sibling dynamics. The importance of a family-centred approach and considerations of local community demographics, history, and socioeconomics were also identified. Based on the future anticipated capacity of MK, recommendations and associated strategies were developed to promote the community and agency to continue progression towards sustainable long-term outcomes.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the project delved into the complex lives of parent-carers navigating a 24/7 caring role and highlighted the need for nationwide systemic change. Whilst the enormity of this need is evident, project facilitators opened the conversation amongst OTs about the importance of supporting parent-carers to indirectly support their child to thrive and grow. Parent-carer awareness of the many ‘roads’ or to accessing support was also increased during the project process.

Implications of project/presentation: This project highlighted the importance of parent-carer wellbeing to support their capacity to contribute to positive therapeutic outcomes for their child. Reinforcing the importance of a family-centred approach creates Millions of PossibiliOTs within paediatric occupational therapy.