RESEARCH REPORT The Safe Nest Group pilot project: Early intervention for mothers and infants who have experienced family violence
The Safe Nest Group (SNG) pilot project, adapted from the Peek-a-Boo Club™ and informed by attachment and trauma theory, aimed to trial an evidence-informed intervention for women and their young children affected by family violence.
This report shares findings from the Safe Nest Group (SNG) program pilot, a 2-hour, six-session group intervention for women and their young children (aged 0 to 3) who have recently experienced family violence.
The program was developed by Emerge Women and Children’s Support Network alongside Swinburne University and is designed to be infant led, incorporating psychodynamic and infant mental health principles.
The project also uses qualitative interviews with mothers and observational analysis of children to develop qualitative findings and case studies.
Key practice and policy recommendations
Key practice and policy recommendations- Participants preferred calling the program a playgroup rather than a therapy group, which may aid future promotion.
- Practical support, like taxi vouchers, was crucial for attendance.
- Further development and evaluation of the SNG program are recommended, including its application to other service providers and groups.
- The pilot highlighted the need for specialist clinicians to validate women’s experiences of family violence and provide a consistent, reliable space.
- Ongoing high stress levels indicate the need for additional interventions.
Publication details
This work is part of the ANROWS research reports series. ANROWS research reports are in-depth reports on empirical research produced under ANROWS’s research program.
Authors
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR KATIE WOOD
School of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR REBECCA GIALLO
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
DR ALISON FOGARTY
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
DR EMMA VAN DAAL
Emerge Children and Women’s Support Network
BIANCA MORRISON
Emerge Children and Women’s Support Network
ISBN: 978-1-922645-90-6 (PDF)
122 pp.
Suggested citation
Wood, K., Giallo, R., Fogarty, A., van Daal, E., & Morrison, B. (2024). The Safe Nest Group pilot project: Early intervention for mothers and infants who have experienced family violence (Research report, 08/2024). ANROWS.