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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Presenter Information:
Presenter 1: Name: Ros Hunt

Affiliation: University of Manchester

Ros Hunt is a researcher from the Applied Social Research in Deafness Group at the University of Manchester. She is also a qualified and registered social worker. Primary research interests: intervention and young deaf children, parental empowerment, the social care needs of hearing families with deaf children, translation of Christian scriptures into British Sign Language. Other projects include: Facilitating informed choice for families How the social care needs of deaf children and their families are met.
Author Information:
Author 1: Name: Ros Hunt
Affiliation: University of Mancheste
Abstract Information:
Title: The impact on parents and professionals of the use of a structured monitoring protocol for early identified deaf children.
Primary Track: 6-Family Issues
Keyword(s): parent moitoring, parent/professional partnership

Abstract:

Following the introduction of universal newborn hearing screening in England, the government commissioned a structured parent-led monitoring protocol for use with early identified deaf children. Known as the ESMP (Early Support Monitoring Protocol) and introduced in 2004 it is now available nationally as a standard practice tool. Its use raises a number of questions concerning the implications for parents of routinely becoming involved in the developmental monitoring of their infants from the first months, the impact on parent/professional relationships; and indeed the viability of a parent-led instrument. The aim of this study was to explore the ways in which the ESMP is utilized by parents and professionals. Seven hearing parents of early identified deaf children and four primary interveners were involved. Data were collected by means of: (i) observation of professional and parent interaction when using the ESMP, and (ii) semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed by means of mixed methods (Miles & Huberman, 1994) and were hand coded. Principles findings to be presented include: 1. How primary interveners control which families are offered the monitoring protocol 2. The extent to which the use of the monitoring protocol is influential in molding the parent child relationship 3. Parents’ construction of the use of the monitoring protocol as an emotional task that excites strong feelings, both positive and negative. 4. How and why primary interveners experience the monitoring protocol as an important tool that helps them in their professional role 5. The use of the monitoring protocol is a third participant in the parent/professional relationship that influences the model of partnership in which parents and professionals engage. The primary conclusion of this work is that the monitoring protocol is highly influential in contributing to a move in the balance of power between parents and professionals away from the professionals and towards parents.
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