Hold a meeting with local stakeholders to explore the following questions together:
- Are your aspirations based on clearly identified needs and backed up by local research?
- Have local parents given their views on what’s needed? Has this shaped your thinking?
Have you engaged with residents, frontline practitioners and local services for children and families? (Draw out user voices that can really influence and improve the experience of mums, dads and babies during the first 1000 critical days) - What’s not working so well locally at present or needs improving?
- What are the pressures for frontline practitioners?
You will need an in-depth understanding of the local area and its needs including research into residents’ needs and wishes and direct engagement with parents.
- What are the issues, challenges and strengths for expectant and new parents?
- Draw on published reports and your own and partner organisations’ knowledge of the area and local priorities
- Explore local issues e.g. maternity voices
- Are there any existing peer support initiatives? Are you duplicating anything? Could you enhance another peer support initiative?