Infant CARE Index 2025-2026 – Online training by Zoom

Description

The Infant CARE-Index (ICI, Crittenden, 1981) is the simplest and most versatile of the assessments tied to the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM). It assesses parent-infant interaction from birth to about 15 months of age based on a 3-minute video-recorded play interaction. It does not assess attachment and captures the best of dyad’s functioning (rather than capturing the dyad’s response to stress, i.e. attachment).

The ICI has extensive published validating evidence and is a useful, portable tool for a wide range of Health and Social Care professionals whose work involves assessing and mounting interventions to improve parent-infant interaction. It can be used with families from all backgrounds and cultures, including those with infants with developmental problems.

The scales

• Are highly correlated with the infant Strange Situation assessment patterns of attachment
• Differentiate abusing from neglecting, abusing and neglecting, marginally maltreating, and adequate dyads
• Can be used during intervention, and
• Can be used to assess the effectiveness of intervention.

Instructor: Rebecca Carr-Hopkins, DipSW & MSc.

Dates: 12 days by Zoom with additional tutorials between the taught weeks.

Part 1: 15, 16, 17, 18 December 2025
Part 2: 2, 3, 4, 5 February 2026
Part 3: 23, 24, 25, 26 March 2026

Time: 10.30am-3pm UK time

Location: Online by Zoom

Language: English

Content

The course is taught from videos and depends upon both adult and infant behaviour. Non-verbal behaviour, interpersonal strategies and developmental processes are emphasised. Adult patterns consist of sensitivity, controlling and unresponsivity; the infant patterns are cooperative, difficult, compulsive and passive. The information derived from the CARE-Index can be used as quasicontinuous or categorical data by researchers. In addition, however, the procedure is easily applied to “live” observations made by nurses, infant teachers, clinicians, and social workers. Needless to say, such observations cannot be treated as reliable when video is not used, but the method is effective in the same way that other guided observations or interviews are. Furthermore, specific training of what to look for sharpens both one’s observation and one’s ability to tell others exactly what the dyad did and why it should be interpreted in a particular manner.

Competency to code is assessed by a reliability test after the training. Course participants will be expected to practice coding during the training and in between the taught days. Not completing the practice is likely to seriously impede the level of reliability that can be achieved.

Competency in administering the procedure is also assessed and therefore course participants are required to submit 3 videos that reflect their intended applications and culture(s).

Cost: £1500 plus VAT. The registration fee covers the course, handouts, manual & feedback on practice and the reliability test.

Registration: Please contact Rebecca Carr-Hopkins at rebecca@iswmatters.co.uk or book online.