Tweddle NCAST Parent-Child Interactions (PCI) Feeding Scales

NCAST Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) Feeding Scales

What are the NCAST Parent Child Interaction (PCI) Feeding Scales training?

The PCI Feeding Scales are a widely used validated tool for measuring parent-child interaction. The scale contains a well-developed set of observable behaviours that describe the caregiver-child communication and interaction during a feeding situation, birth to 12 months of age. Feeding situations occur over 2000 times in the first year of life. The Feeding Scale is designed to rate any type of feeding, from breast to bottle to solids. The scales provide the opportunity to discuss what has occurred during the feed and the strengths and areas that could be adapted and changed to provide a stimulating, enjoyable nurturing feed.

The PCI scales provide evidence informed results that supports the development of skill plans and education. As research validated assessment tool they can be an integral part of parenting assessments

“A Feeding scale done in those first weeks can give you an important window into this relationship. It will help you intervene effectively and early and support the developing parent-child relationship.” Barnard Centre

The training enables practitioners to gain skills in administering, marking the scales and giving feedback to parents. The practitioner is supported to sit a reliability test to ensure validity of the practitioner.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for those professionals working with families with infants and young children and will benefit from understanding the advantages of using the scales in clinical practice. This includes maternal child health nurse’s paediatric nurses, researchers, social workers, infant mental health specialists and family support practitioners. This course is particularly helpful for lactation consultants and midwives

Workshop Prerequisites:

Have a certificate to the Keys to Caregiving program through class or self-study or hold a certificate in infant mental health.

How Does PCI Scales Benefit Parents?

Provides clear information on areas of strengths and concerns which guide interventions.

Supports parents in developing a closer relationship with their child as they increase their understanding of their child’s communication, cues, states, behaviour and ways they learn.

How do the PCI Scales benefit practitioner/Parent-Child interaction?

“A Feeding scale done in those first weeks can give you an important window into this relationship. It will help you intervene effectively and early and support the developing parent-child relationship” Barnard 2004.

Gives concrete areas to guide intervention

Transforms the practitioner’s view of the Parent-Child relationship

Gives the practitioner a new lens with which to see the strengths and opportunities for growth in the parent-child relationship

On completion of the course attendees have knowledge of:

• Infant states, potent and subtle feeding engagement/disengagement cues and caregiver adaption

• How to systematically observe and analyse caregiver-child interactions during a feed

• Interpreting the scores of the PCI scales and interventions

• Identifying strengths, concerns and need for further assessment and referral

• Inter-rater reliability certification for the PCI feeding scales

What practitioners say about training:

“As a lactation consultant I found this training really useful. I now see more of the subtle feeding engagement and disengagement cues in babies and children”.

“The families really seem to enjoy watching the videos of the feed and we can discuss what the baby is doing together. I find I now ask more curious questions about the meaning of the baby’s cues and behaviour”

“I am able to provide evidence-based information to parents and support them in a strength-based manner without my bias influencing feedback”

“I loved the training, and it has increased my confidence working with parent and their babies”

Facilitator

Beverley Allen:

Beverley is a Maternal Child Health Nurse with an extensive background in family therapy, infant mental health and working with families from other cultures. She has been facilitating NCAST Parent – Child Interactions since 2005.

Training Details:

When:

Consists of 3 one day seminars:

12th of November, 13th of November, 14th of November 2025

Time:

9:30am - 4:00pm

Where:

Tweddle Child & Family Health Service

239-245 Princes Hwy, Werribee 3030

Cost:

$1800 + booking fee (early bird booking)

$1985 + booking fee

*Cost includes all handouts/guides/manuals etc.

Dietary

Lunch & snacks will be provided, please email dietary requirements to professionaldevelopment@tweddle.org.au