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Purpose: This paper aims to outline a knowledge translation (KT) case study undertaken as part of a multi-component research programme aimed at evaluating new parenting supports in the earliest years. The study aimed to: explore the influencing factors relating to research use in an early years context; and to use the findings, at least in part, to execute an integrated KT plan – to promote stakeholder engagement, greater research visibility and to enhance the understanding of findings emerging from the research programme. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods study was embedded within a large-scale, longitudinal research programme. In the present study, a national survey (n = 162) was administered to stakeholders working with children and families throughout Ireland. A series of one-to-one interviews were also undertaken (n = 37) to amplify the survey findings. Also, one focus group was carried out with parents (n = 8) and one with members of the research team (n = 3). Several dissemination strategies were concurrently developed, executed and evaluated, based partly on survey and interview findings and guided by the knowledge translation planning template (Barwick, 2008; 2013; 2019). Findings: The main factors influencing the dissemination of evidence, as identified by the stakeholders – were: a lack of resources; an under-developed understanding of research use and dissemination; insufficient collaboration and communication; and conflicting stakeholder priorities. Despite these challenges, the research programme was found to benefit from a multi-component KT plan to achieve the outlined dissemination goals. Practical implications: The KT planning process allowed the research team to be more accountable, introspective and to work more efficiently. This helped increase the likelihood of more targeted and successful dissemination of the research findings, delivering a better return on research investment. Originality/value: This is the first study of its kind (to our knowledge) to provide important insights for stakeholders in Ireland and elsewhere about how to improve the dissemination process. Effective KT planning can ultimately help to bridge the research-policy-practice gap and enable the effective translation of high-quality evidence in the early years' sector to enhance outcomes for families in the shorter and longer-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report findings from a service evaluation undertaken within a single specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) team. The team works closely with local authority children's services to serve specific populations recognised as experiencing higher levels of mental health need, including children living in alternative care and with adoptive families. The evaluation sought to better understand the experience of this provision during the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant increase in remote and digitally mediated care delivery. Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of the accounts of 38 parents, carers and professionals involved with the team gathered via telephone interviews and email and postal questionnaires. Findings: Similar views were expressed from participants involved with the team before and following the onset of the pandemic. Overall, satisfaction was high; however, changes in care appeared more challenging for those already involved with the team before the pandemic. Differences in experience between groups were also evident. Whereas foster carers' accounts were generally appreciative of the involvement of clinicians, particularly regarding clinician–patient relationships, amongst adoptive parents and members of children's birth families there were more mixed and negative impressions. Originality/value: Locally based service evaluations can help inform care pathway planning in specialist CAMHS provision as part of wider quality improvement initiatives. This is especially relevant considering the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the longer-term acceptability of remote working practices is appraised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mental health problems during the initial years of life are precursors of mental disorders in later life, as well as poor quality of life. However, understanding and assessing the quality of life among children is very challenging and requires appropriate assessment measures. Against this backdrop, this study aims to establish the evidence for the construct and convergent validity of Urdu version of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) in Pakistani children. Design/methodology/approach: This study has a cross-sectional study design in which a sample of 291 primary school children (53.3% male children and 44.7% female children) were enrolled from 6 primary schools located in Rawalpindi District in 2021 through random sampling. Children's ages ranged between 9 and 13 years (M = 10.51 years; SD = 0.73). Urdu translated version PedsQL, Rosenburg self-esteem scale (RSES), strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), difficulty subscale and socio-demographic form were administered in a group setting. Findings: Confirmatory factor analysis showed model provided a better fit similar to three factors: social/school functioning; psychological functioning; and physical functioning with good alpha reliability for full scale as well for subscales (r = 0.87, r = 0.75, r = 0.77 and r = 0.73), respectively. Pearson's correlation of the translated version with SDQ_difficulties (r = −0.33; p < 0.01) and RSES (r = −016; p < 0.01) depicted solid discriminant validity (r = −0.33; p < 0.01) and RSES showed good convergent validity (r = −0.16; p < 0.01). Hence; PedsQL, Urdu proved to be a reliable, valid and efficient tool for the assessment of quality of life among Pakistani children, and its three-factor structure model suggested previously for Pakistani children was confirmed. Originality/value: This study is original work by the researcher as part of their PhD project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]