Peer-reviewed article
Watch Me Play!: results of a feasibility study of a remotely delivered intervention to promote mental health resilience for children (age 0-8 years) across UK early years and children's services.
Randell E, Nollett C, Totsika V, Kennedy E, Johnson S et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Watch Me Play! is a caregiver-child interaction intervention that uses child-led play to promote mental health resilience in children aged 0-8 years. This feasibility study tested remote delivery across UK early years services with 21 families over 3 months. The intervention was acceptable to families and providers, with 80% adherence and 67% retention, at an average cost of £209 per family. The study found the approach was simple and provided quick access to support, though staff capacity and perceptions of family readiness were barriers. The authors conclude that core feasibility parameters were met and recommend a randomised feasibility trial before a full effectiveness trial.
Key points
- 67% retention rate at 3 months with 80% self-reported adherence among 21 participating families
- Hybrid delivery combining online and face-to-face sessions was feasible and acceptable
- Average intervention cost was £209 per family, indicating it is low-cost
- Facilitators included simplicity of approach and quick access to support
- Barriers included limited staff capacity and practitioner perceptions of readiness in families with complex needs
Limitations
This was a single-group feasibility study with only 21 families across seven sites, so it provides no evidence of intervention effectiveness or comparison with control groups. The study does not measure actual mental health outcomes for children, only feasibility parameters like acceptability and recruitment.
Abstract
Background Mental health problems among children in England are rising, with significant wait times and barriers preventing many from accessing timely support. Watch Me Play! (WMP) is a caregiver-child interaction intervention designed to enhance child development and promote mental health resilience through child-led play. Aims To assess the feasibility of delivering WMP remotely to parents and carers of children aged 0-8 years referred to UK early years and children's services. Method A non-randomised, single-group feasibility design with a mixed-methods process evaluation aimed to recruit 40 families. The study evaluated recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity and acceptability. Outcomes were collected at baseline and 3 months; we conducted qualitative interviews to examine barriers and facilitators, and we used health economic data estimated intervention costs. Results WMP was well-regarded and acceptable to families and service providers. Recruitment involved seven sites and 21 families, with 67% retention at 3 months. Self-reported adherence was 80%. Facilitators included the simplicity of the approach and quick access to support. Barriers included limited staff capacity and practitioner perceptions of readiness in families with complex needs. Hybrid delivery (online and face-to-face sessions) was feasible and acceptable. The average intervention cost was £209 per family. Conclusions Findings indicate core feasibility parameters - including acceptability, fidelity, data-collection procedures and delivery across diverse contexts - were met. WMP is a low-cost intervention suited for early years services. Although a full-scale effectiveness trial is not yet warranted, a future randomised feasibility trial is recommended to investigate the acceptability of randomisation and recruitment across a broader range of services.