The Small Wonders Change Programme video content that has helped to support families of neonates across the country with its guidance and advice and parents sharing their own remarkable stories, has been adapted for a new learning resource that has just been published on the e-learning for healthcare hub.

We are delighted that, with the support of Health Education England, we have been able to adapt this extraordinary resource for use by health and allied health professionals who come into contact with neonates and their families. 

Authored by longstanding Best Beginnings supporter, Annie Aloysius (BSc hons MRCSLT HPC IBCLC), who helped shape the original Small Wonders Change Programme in 2012, with a session on baby loss by Laura Price, Small Wonders: a family-centred approach to neonatal care provides, detailed, thoughtful and informative guidance aimed at keeping health professional abreast of the latest best practice and is aimed at helping to align standards of care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units across the country 

Small Wonders e-learning programme comprises seven succinct sessions  It is designed to optimize professional competencies by enhancing understanding of the neonatal journey from a parent’s perspective.  This includes:  a review of the role of lactation physiology in expressing and getting to volume in neonatal care; how to involve parents as partners in care in the neonatal journey; how to support the transition to babies’ feeding independently; how to support parents as they transition to a new unit or home; and how to support neonatal baby loss with its unique challenges in bereavement. This learning reflects best practice and is consistent with an increased awareness of the positive impact that good family-centred neonatal care can have on the mental health and wellbeing of entire families, not solely the physical wellbeing of their baby or babies.

Individual completion of the programme will be recorded on the ESR (Electronic Staff Record) and Best Beginnings will seek further accreditation for those who complete the programme.

The programme is the result of a team effort and we look forward to sharing data and and an evaluation in due course. The formal, wider launch will take place at the end of March.