A service evaluation of the Solihull Approach training and practice

The Solihull Approach (SA) is a conceptual framework concerned with parent-child relationships. Across the UK, training in the SA expanded from health visitors (HVs) to various practitioners in health, social care, education and voluntary sectors. A substantial amount of research had provided evidence for the effectiveness of the SA with HVs. The present study developed Ottmann's themes into an 18-item questionnaire. This measure was then administered to a large and varied sample of SA-trained professionals. Scores were compared across HVs and family support workers. The two groups described the SA training as useful to their work with clients as well as within their multidisciplinary teams. Participants identified the crucial role of managerial support, supervision and consultation in implementing the training in practice. Results are discussed with relation to the SA theory.