Training

• Join the training to learn about the evidence underpinning the INFANT program, how to use INFANT resources with families, and how to implement and facilitate INFANT groups in your community.
• The training provides the latest evidence on healthy eating and active play in the early years of life.
• The training has been developed  for a range of health and early years professionals interested in implementing INFANT, whether through one-to-one interactions with families or by delivering group sessions.
• The training is also suitable professional development for those wanting an update on the latest evidence and key messages on healthy eating and active play in the early years.

INFANT facilitator training is offered as a flexible two-part learning pathway:

• Part 1 – Foundations of INFANT: Applying in everyday practice
  Build a strong understanding of the background, evidence, and key principles of the INFANT program. This part focuses on how INFANT key messages, guidelines and resources can be used in day‑to‑day practice with families.
• Part 2 – Implementing and facilitating INFANT group sessions
  Gain practical guidance on delivering INFANT group sessions in community settings. This part is designed for practitioners who plan to implement the group component of the program.
• Participants can choose to complete Part 1 only or complete both Part 1 and Part 2 to become an INFANT facilitator and deliver the group component of the program.
• Training is available online and is self-paced over a six-week period. Part 1 takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete, while Parts 1 and 2 combined take approximately 6-8 hours.
• The set time period gives you flexibility to complete the training while connecting with a group of peers undertaking the course at the same time.

Expert course educators from the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, are available throughout the training to facilitate discussions, support learning, and answer questions. All educators have expertise in early intervention, early life behaviours, and childhood obesity prevention.

Part 1 – Foundations of INFANT: Applying in everyday practice

• Overview of the INFANT program guiding principles and evidence behind the program
• Science behind the  INFANT key messages
• Hot topics- including the latest evidence on healthy eating and active play in the early years.
• Supporting behaviour change in practice
• How to use INFANT resources  in one-to-one interactions with families.

• Engaging priority populations to reduce health inequalities

Part 2 – Implementing and facilitating INFANT group sessions

• The content and delivery of the four INFANT group sessions and the accompanying INFANT app.
• Group facilitation skills and strategies for engaging families.
• Applying INFANT program principles and resources to your own community context.
• Developing a plan for implementing INFANT in your community.

After the training you will have ongoing access, via a facilitator log-in, to a range of resources to support implementation of INFANT in your community including:

• INFANT Implementation Manual
• INFANT Facilitator Guidelines
• Session booklets, handouts, flipcharts, videos
• Clinician access to the INFANT app

* There is a requirement for trained facilitators to do the refresher training every two years to maintain their facilitator status and access to the INFANT resources.

All participants will receive a certificate upon completion, which can be used to log CPD points. Participants who complete both Part 1 and Part 2 will also receive a digital credential to share on LinkedIn or other digital platforms.

Please be reminded that the INFANT program is to be delivered to participants (mums, dads and carers) at no charge.

If you work for a Government or not-for-profit organisation in Victoria, Australia (including private practitioners working in partnership with health or community services or the NGO sector):

Part 1 and Part 2 training, as well as refresher training, are currently offered free of charge. This is through the support of the Victorian Government, with a portion of VicHealth funding allocated to make INFANT training available to all Victorian Maternal and Child Health Nurses.

If you are interstate, international, or a private practitioner (not working in partnership with health or community services or the NGO sector):

• There is a cost of $300 AUD per participant (inclusive of GST).
• This fee provides access to Part 1 of the training. Part 2 of the training can be completed at no additional cost after completion of part 1.
• Participants may choose to complete Part 1 only or continue to Part 2 to become an INFANT facilitator and deliver the group component of the program.

If you are a student:

• This course is offered at a discounted fee of $99 AUD for Deakin students and $120 AUD for non-Deakin students.

The cost includes provision of the training, all training materials and resources required to implement INFANT  either via one of one interactions with families or and delivery of INFANT groups.

Login to your facilitator account for more resources.

• The INFANT refresher training is a 1.5-hour self-paced online course.
• To maintain your access to the facilitator resources to be able to facilitate INFANT sessions in your organisation, you are required to complete a refresher training every two years.
• It is possible that you can count this time towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

• You are eligible for refresher training within 2 years of completing your initial online training.
• Whether implementing INFANT or not, the refresher training will help you to stay up-to-date with healthy eating and active play information, and to connect with and hear from other INFANT facilitators.
• If you can’t recall your exact training date, don’t worry as you will receive an email from the team once you become eligible for refresher training.

• To access the refresher training, simply log in to the INFANT website facilitator section. There will also be a link emailed to you when the refresher training is live.

• Registration not required.
• To access the refresher training, simply log in to the INFANT website facilitator section. There will be a link emailed to you when the training is live.
• You will also be able to find the link in under the Facilitator Resource tab during the training dates.

• New and updated INFANT resources
• Latest research on healthy eating and active play in the early years
• Any updates to relevant clinical guidelines
• Opportunity to discuss and share implementation experiences with other INFANT facilitators

All participants will get a certificate upon completion for logging CPD points and a digital credential to share on Linkedin or other digital platforms.

• INFANT will offer the refresher training to eligible INFANT facilitators several times each year, and the training will be open for several weeks each time.
• Please note, if you do not complete your refresher training within two years, your access to the facilitator section and resources will be removed.
• Please email the team if you have any queries at: infant-study@deakin.edu.au