Best Practice Guidelines

Professionals in the focus group consultation discussed the necessary actions that would be required for successful dissemination and implementation of the guidelines. Their suggestions included the following:

8.1  Management buy-in for implementation of the guidelines

8.2 Various formats of information to be provided including leaflets, booklets, checklists and laminated sheets containing the guidelines; displayed in community and hospital service settings;

8.3 Training to be provided as detailed above

8.4 Direct communication of guidelines from professional bodies, unions and academic faculties.

8.5 The Guidelines to be provided as part of hospital orientation/induction

8.6 The Guidelines to be included in hospital accreditation processes.

The most widely chosen formats chosen by professionals in the national questionnaire survey for dissemination/training in informing families of their child’s disability were ‘training course with peers’ and ‘interdisciplinary training course’.

Click here to download a PDF of the Best Practice Guidelines for Informing Families of their Child's Disability

A pilot implementation project took place in the Cork region over a two year period and developed a range of tools and supports for implementing the Best Practice Guidelines. Find out more about the Cork Pilot Project.