PURPOSE:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using a dual moderator approach in focus groups to explore the experiences of service users and providers within the Starting Well Partnership Programme (SWPP), a community-led maternal and child health intervention in Luton, UK. Given the ethnically diverse and socioeconomically deprived setting, the research required a methodology that promoted psychological safety, inclusion, and authentic dialogue, particularly among minoritised mothers, expectant mothers, and frontline practitioners.

DISCUSSION:
Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted (n=29) to evaluate the implementation and delivery of SWPP interventions (Pregnancy Club, Early Days, Little Explorers). A dual moderator model—one moderator to manage content and another to support group process and emotional comfort—was adopted to reduce power imbalances, foster cultural sensitivity, and accommodate participants’ linguistic and emotional needs. This approach was especially critical in virtual environments during post-COVID restrictions, where digital communication risked diminishing non-verbal cues and relational engagement. The methodological stance was grounded in critical realism and pragmatism, aligning with the study's conceptual framework, which acknowledged intersectionality and super-diversity

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Participants expressed a high level of trust and emotional openness during sessions, attributing their comfort to the non-judgemental atmosphere and support provided by the second moderator. Themes such as “Safe Space,” “Emotional Well-being,” and “Tailored Support” emerged strongly. The dual moderation method enhanced the richness of the data, enabling deeper exploration of barriers like language, stigma, and system navigation. This aligns with wider literature supporting community-based, participatory maternal health methodologies

KEY MESSAGE:
The dual moderator method is a powerful, inclusive tool for qualitative maternal health research, especially in underserved, ethnically diverse populations. It enables cultural safety, empowers participant voice, and generates richer, more actionable insights for health policy and practice. Cultural safety