Origins

Nurse Family Partnership Model

The Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program (ANFPP) model is based on the Nurse Family Partnership model of home visiting developed by Professor David Olds in the USA over the last 30 years.

The Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) model is an evidence-based community health program that helps transform the lives of vulnerable mothers pregnant with their first child. Each mother is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through to her child’s second birthday.

The NFP model is designed for first-time mothers and aims to improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women improve their prenatal health, improve the child’s health and development by helping families provide more sensitive and competent care for the child. The program also assists parents to plan future pregnancies, complete their education and find employment.

The NFP has served over 90,000 families since 1996 and has  shown benefits for children in later life – particularly in reduced contact with the justice system.

For further information regarding the NFP model, click here to visit the NFP website.

NFP Theoretical Framework

The NFP model draws from three distinct strands of theory: human ecology, self-efficacy and attachment. These theoretical strands, woven together within a professional nursing framework, produce a unique program of great depth, breadth and vitality.

Human ecology theory

This theory holds that parents’ care of their babies is influenced by the larger social context in which they live, including relationships with other family members, friendship networks, neighbourhoods, communities, and cultures. The ANFPP model acknowledges the impact of these various elements while helping parents negotiate and improve their environments.

Self-efficacy theory

This theory is rooted in the notion that persons are more likely to engage in a desirable behaviour if they believe the behaviour will produce a desired outcome and if they believe they can successfully carry out that behaviour to achieve that outcome. The ANFPP model helps parents set realistic goals and bolsters parents’ confidence in their ability to reach those goals, (e.g., avoiding or stopping risky behaviours, engaging in healthy behaviours, and/or coping with challenging situations).

Attachment theory

This theory proposes that children who receive sensitive and responsive parenting are more likely to grow up to become sensitive and responsive parents themselves. The ANFPP model promotes nurturing parenting through a variety of direct teaching methods and via the supportive and caring relationships Nurse Home Visitors establish with parents.

Outcomes

Compared to other mothers, those who take part in the program:

  • are more aware of the community services available to them
  • are more likely to attend childbirth classes
  • are more likely to use nutrition programs and improve their diets
  • have fewer kidney infections
  • reduce smoking
  • are more likely to have a full-term pregnancy
  • see significant development in their own health and lifestyle
  • see an increase in father’s interest in their pregnancy and child’s health and development

After 2 years mothers who take part in the program:

  • are less likely to experience depression
  • manage the discipline of their child better
  • provide more appropriate play materials for their child
  • allow babies to explore their world more safely

After 4 years mothers who take part in the program:

  • have higher rates of returning to education
  • are more likely to be employed
  • are likely to have delayed further pregnancies
  • are likely to have fewer subsequent pregnancies

Babies born to mothers taking part in the program:

  • are likely to be born a healthy weight
  • have better development at 6,12 and 24 months
  • are taken to hospital for emergencies and accidents less often

At 15 years children who were involved in the program:

  • are less likely to have run away
  • are less likely to have arrests or convictions
  • smoke less
  • drink less alcohol
  • exhibit fewer drug problems