Activating Parents in Early Childhood Intervention: A Multi-Study Examination of the PAIR Model as an Implementation Strategy

Family-centred, relationship-focused approaches are central to Australia’s National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), yet practitioners report low confidence and barriers to embedding relational practice. The Phased Approach to Including a Relational Focus (PAIR) model was developed as an implementation tool. We evaluated implementation outcomes of PAIR-informed training. Three studies were conducted: (1) a two-hour online workshop (n = 215; paired n = 124); (2) six PAIR workshops plus six months of reflective supervision in one ECI service (T1 n = 24; T2 n = 18; T3 n = 11; intention-to-treat); and (3) interviews with clinicians after six online modules (n = 5). Quantitative outcomes were analysed using paired or repeated-measures tests; interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. PAIR and training were perceived as acceptable and appropriate. Knowledge and confidence improved, with the most sustained gains when reflective supervision accompanied training. Adoption increased with training intensity, from behavioural intention to observable role shifts. Interviews highlighted variation in clinicians’ definitions of relational work, suggesting early fidelity vulnerabilities. Feasibility was constrained by short service blocks and limited time for reflection. PAIR is an implementation support for relational ECI; however, training alone is unlikely to sustain adoption. Reflective supervision and organisational strategies are needed to support feasibility and inform hybrid implementation – effectiveness trials.