This large‑scale initiative involved training 210 clinicians across 82 CDNTs. CDNTs delivered 76 Parents Plus Programmes with 232 parents participating in the evaluation study. Parents Plus continue to work with clinicians who are in the accreditation process, with 15 having commenced accreditation in 2025, and 5 clinicians accredited so far. The findings clearly demonstrate that the partnership successfully embedded evidence‑based, solution‑focused parenting interventions within CDNT service provision and generated significant benefits for parents, families and practitioners. The findings also highlight the value of group-based, strengths-oriented interventions that prioritise empowering parents with proven parenting tools to support their children and families, as well as the importance of peer connection for parents within disability services. Quantitative results show statistically significant improvements across all outcome measures for the Parents Plus Special Needs Programme (PPSN), including parental satisfaction, goal attainment and learning outcomes, with gains maintained at follow‑up.
Improvements were also observed for the Parents Plus Early Years Programme (PPEY), particularly in parent and child goal achievement and practical parenting strategies. Qualitative feedback also reinforces these outcomes. Parents consistently highlighted the value of practical learning, and the strengths-based, approach, which also positioned them as experts of their own children. Themes such as self‑care and preparing for the future were especially important for families of children with additional needs.
For clinicians, the parent‑led, solution‑focused model was viewed as a meaningful approach to practice, and the establishment of communities of practice, access to ongoing coaching and Parents Plus accreditation pathways has laid the foundations for a cohesive national network of CDNTS equipped with, and committed to delivering evidence-based parent support. Challenges identified were primarily logistical, underscoring the importance of ongoing implementation support. This model positions CDNTs to continue expanding access to effective parenting tools to strengthen and empower more parents, ensuring that the benefits of the partnership with Parents Plus are sustained and integrated into everyday clinical practice. In conclusion, this research study shows that by strengthening Children’s Disability Network Teams to embed evidence-based parenting support into routine practice, the HSE can deliver lasting, transformative benefits for families raising children with a disability across Ireland.