The service is for pregnant parents and primary caregivers, including parents, non-birthing partners, foster carers, grandparents, or others who may be in this role (we work with families from a range of cultural/ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+ communities) with babies and young children up to the age of five, who live in Blackpool and have a Blackpool GP and would like support with early relationship difficulties.

We know expecting a baby and becoming a parent can be a time of great joy, but it can also be a very challenging and emotional time and it is common to feel overwhelmed, feel a dip in confidence and struggle with the adjustment and new responsibilities of parenthood.

PaIRS provide a safe space to help think about the difficulties new parents may be experiencing and develop new capacities to provide the sensitive, responsive, and appropriate care that their babies need to thrive. We build on the strengths of parents and work together to find the most helpful way to support you and your baby.

Once we receive a referral  (this could be from you or your GP/midwife/health visitor/family hub worker or any service you are working with):

• the team will meet together to make a plan of positive next steps, this will be communicated back to you by either your referrer or
• a member of our team will offer an opportunity to meet with you and your baby, which allows us to get to know you and understand how best we can support you both.
• We can offer a range a of therapeutic interventions, depending on what fits for your family
• We may offer you support one to one or in a group setting.

It is important to remember you are not alone, many parents and carers experience similar challenges and there is support available, so please to reach out for support if you feel you would benefit from it.