Table 8 Key findings and implications for policy, practice and research

Key findings:

1.

The considerable challenges of engaging with this audience and of frequent organisational change should not be underestimated

2.

The IPB design methodology produced a tool aiding CC staff to deliver fire safety messages which:

• was accessible to a broad range of staff

• was adaptable to different audiences and simple to use

• was a source of useful legitimate evidence

• motivated staff to have a go

• inspired future fire safety activity

• generated parental discussion and interest

• and initiated parental behaviour change

3.

While the IPB alone could not overcome all the challenges to implementation in this context combining it with external facilitation was extremely successful in improving:

• Staff engagement

• Adaptability and flexibility and in mitigating effects of:

• Staff changes

• Lack of other agency support

• Conflicting priorities and targets

Implications for policy practice and research:

1.

Future children’s centre injury prevention interventions need to address the difficulties posed by organisational change and audience engagement.

2.

Their design should ensure conditions for successful implementation are promoted through incorporating contextual knowledge and facilitation.

3.

They should provide supporting evidence of local need and be accompanied by policy directives to enable CC staff to prioritise them.

4.

Facilitation should include:

• Internal facilitation: A named member of staff who is responsible for leading this strand of work and monitoring the impact.

• External facilitation: possibly drawing on the expertise of local injury prevention teams; especially the local FRS to answer queries, share concerns and raise confidence levels.

• Consistent involvement of external agencies including local Fire and Rescue Services is also important.

5.

IPBs are a potentially promising intervention for use by children’s centres, but they require evaluation in terms of safety behaviours and injury outcomes.

6.

Possibilities for expanding the methodology for IPB development to other public health areas should be explored through further research

7.

Further changes in CCs organisation, funding, and priorities should consider the impact this has on effective delivery of services.