Co-Delivering a Mentalization-Based Parenting Programme: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Experiences of Children's Social Workers and Foster Carers

Anyiam-Osigwe, Adaku, Katangwe-Chigamba, Thando, Ruby, Po, Seeley, Carys, Irvine, Karen, Murdoch, Jamie and Midgley, Nick (2026) Co-Delivering a Mentalization-Based Parenting Programme: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Experiences of Children's Social Workers and Foster Carers. Child & Family Social Work. ISSN 1356-7500

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Abstract

Parenting programmes have traditionally been facilitated by mental health or social care professionals such as social workers or clinical psychologists. However, the Reflective Fostering Programme—a mentalization-based, psychoeducational group intervention—was uniquely designed to be co-facilitated by a foster carer and a social worker. Given this distinctive structure, there is limited insight into how these two roles function together as a facilitator pair, as well as how the programme's mentalization-based approach creates specific challenges and opportunities for facilitators. This study examines the experiences of facilitators delivering the Reflective Fostering Programme, exploring both implicit and explicit factors that shape their capacity to facilitate—individually and collaboratively. Additionally, it investigates facilitators' perceptions of how foster carers engaged with them throughout the programme. Using thematic analysis of focus group discussions and interviews with facilitators (n = six social workers; four foster carers), the study identified three themes: (1) experiencing mentalizing and having ‘lived’ experience; (2) social workers need support from their service to be good facilitators; and (3) building and managing facilitator roles and relationships. These themes highlight essential facilitation requirements, including facilitators being able to mentalize when delivering the Programme; a supportive relationship dynamic between co-facilitators; and a supportive service context that equips acilitators to engage reflectively with carers. We discuss how these requirements should be considered in the selection and training of facilitators for group-based interventions, particularly those designed to be co-led by social workers and foster carers within the children's social care system.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data Availability Statement: The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available in the form of anonymized extracts within the article. Raw data that support the findings of this study are not available due to ethics restrictions.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	children's social care,co-facilitation,mentalizing,parenting interventions,sdg 3 - good health and well-being,das in place,data availability statement the authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available in the form of anonymized extracts within the article. raw data that support the findings of this study are not available due to ethics restrictions.,2026 ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education and Lifelong Learning
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2026 15:46
Last Modified:	02 Nov 2026 00:05
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/104918
DOI:	10.1111/cfs.70244

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