An intervention for expectant parents with intellectual disabilities with child safety concerns: A feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Parents with intellectual disabilities often face challenges during pregnancy that may impact child safety. Early intervention is crucial to mitigate risks. Safe Start is a safety-planning intervention. This study assessed Safe Start's feasibility. METHOD: Five families and their youth care workers assessed the application of nine working elements (i.e., the ways in which youth care workers collaborate with parents, parental appreciation of youth care worker and intervention, and child safety outcomes) in terms of changes in dynamic risk factors. RESULTS: Most families identified the majority of the working elements, and youth care workers reported substantial application of these elements. The youth care worker and the intervention were generally well appreciated by parents. Across families, child safety risks declined, and dynamic risk factors decreased in three families. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that Safe Start may be feasible and appreciated, with promise for improving child safety.