Parenting practices and parental well-being Other
Conditions
Interventions
Participants will be randomised online using minimisation.
Stepping Stones Online is designed to support and empower parent carers of a child with intellectual disability aged 2-11 years by increasi
Sponsors
University of Birmingham
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Current key inclusion criteria as of 16/07/2026: 1. Family has child aged 2-11 years with an intellectual disability (ID) 2. The identified child with intellectual disability meets the following: 2.1. Has a diagnosis or is in the process of exploring a diagnosis or the child’s presentation is related to intellectual and/or severe developmental disabilities – including but not restricted to ‘Learning Disability’, Global Developmental Delay, Pervasive Developmental Delay or Special Educational Needs AND 2.2. Has an Adaptive Behavior Composite score on the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS-3, Comprehensive Interview Form) of <80 3. A biological, step, adoptive, foster parent carer available to complete the intervention and study measures 4. Parent carer English language ability sufficient to engage with the Stepping Stones Online programme (with or without support) 5. Parent carer aged =18 years 6. Parent carer(s) concerned about the child with ID’s behavioural and/or emotional problems 7. Parent carer lives in England 8. Parent carer able to provide informed consent Previous key inclusion criteria: 1. Family has child aged 2-11 years with an intellectual disability (ID) 2. The identified child with intellectual disability meets the following: 2.1. Has a diagnosis or is in the process of exploring a diagnosis or the child’s presentation is related to intellectual and/or severe developmental disabilities – including but not restricted to ‘Learning Disability’, Global Developmental Delay, Pervasive Developmental Delay or Special Educational Needs AND 2.2. Has an Adaptive Behavior Composite score on the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS-3, Comprehensive Interview Form) of <80 3. A biological, step, adoptive, foster parent carer available to complete the intervention and study measures 4. Parent carer English language ability sufficient to engage with the Stepping Stones Online programme 5. Parent carer aged =18 years 6. Parent carer(s) concerned about the child with ID’s behavioural and/or emotional problems 7. Parent carer lives in England 8. Parent carer able to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Child with intellectual disability is in 24-hour residential placement 2. Child with intellectual disability is in a foster placement due to end before the 12-month post-randomisation follow-up data collection point 3. There are current child protection concerns relating to the child with ID that have been indicated to the research team at the point of recruitment 4. The family is not in a position to engage with the intervention (for example, the family is in crisis) 5. Another parent carer in the family has already been recruited into the trial 6. Parent carer is unable to access the internet, despite support provided 7. Families where one or more parents have received a multi-session parenting programme covering similar content to Stepping Stones Online over the previous 12 months 8. Families where one or more parents are currently receiving a multi-session parenting programme covering similar content to Stepping Stones Online or any multi-component manualised family intervention, such as, for example, Multi-Systemic Therapy, Stepping Stones Triple P 9. Primary residence outside of England
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Child behaviour and emotional problems measured using the Developmental Behavior Checklist at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Parent wellbeing measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale at baseline, 6 months, 12 months;Parenting practices measured using the Parenting Scale Short Form at baseline, 6 months, 12 months;Parent psychological distress measured using Kessler 6 at baseline, 12 months;Parent social isolation measured using the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale at Baseline, 12 months;Parenting emotion regulation measured using the Bangor Mindful Parenting Scale at baseline, 12 months;Parent-child relationship quality measured using the Child Parent Relationship Scale at baseline, 12 months;Parental empowerment measured using the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale Revised at baseline, 12 months;Children’s adaptative functioning and communication measured using the GO4KIDDS brief adaptive scale at baseline, 12 months;Parent quality of life measured using EQ-5D-5L at baseline, 12 months;Child quality of life measured using EQ-5D-Y-3L at baseline, 12 months;Child quality of life measured using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory at baseline, 12 months;Health and social care service use and cost effectiveness of the intervention measured using EQ-5D-5L, EQ-5D-Y-3L, Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and Client Service Receipt Inventory at baseline, 12 months;Process evaluation measured using adherence and fidelity at 12 months | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Contacts
Public ContactEmma Scripps
Outcome results
None listed