Lothian Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRS) supports relationships between parents / carers and infants in the critical early years of life, with the aim of creating secure attachments for optimal infant mental health.
Currently the service is only offered in South Edinburgh and Midlothian, the two commencement sites.
The service will work with infants, from conception to their 3rd birthday, their parents/carers, and the people who support them.
- Infants may present with (for example): withdrawn, inhibited behaviour, significant sleep and feeding problems, infant distress, development delay.
- Parents may present with (for example): bonding, building relationship/attachment problems, reported or observed difficulties in parent-infant relationship, sense of disconnection/indifference with infant, excessive worry about the relationship.
Alternatives to Referral
There are a range of resources and information for parents and professionals available on the PAIRS website – please see Resources and Links for detail.
The Request for Consultation form gives more information.
C.M & M. L 08-03-24
Who can refer:
PAIRS is currently open to referrals ONLY in the commencement sites of South Edinburgh and Midlothian.
Referrals are accepted from Health Visitors, FNP nurses, Midwives, MNPI and CPMHT colleagues.
Who to refer:
Please see above.
How to refer:
Please email loth.pairs@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk with a Request for Consultation form.
The PAIRS team offers a 30 – 45 minute virtual consultation session for referrers, during which the team and referrer think together about the needs of the family. This meeting will highlight which services might be helpful for the infant and their parent/carer and ideas for working with the relationship. This may be a one off, or PAIRS may offer further meetings, or may decide to meet the family for direct work.
PAIRS-Consultation-Request-Form-Feb-2024.docx
The PAIRS website offers a range of resources and information: https://services.nhslothian.scot/pairs/
Many third sector organisations within Lothian offer excellent support for parent-infant relationships. In the context of severe and complex maternal MH issues, where referral to Community Perinatal Mental Health Team (CPMHT) is warranted, assessment and – where appropriate – intervention for parent-infant relationship needs will usually be offered by CPMHT clinicians.
Please also see the Maternity and Neonatal Psychology Intervention Team Resources and Links page.
