Children’s Public Health Service
0 –5 Public Health Visiting Team A guide for parents, guardians & carers of children and families
The Healthy Child Programme: 0 – 5 years Antenatal health Promoting contact / Maternal Early Childhood Sustaining Home Visiting (MECSH)
Under 14 days New birth visit
6 – 8 week Assesssment and infant feeding
3 - 4 months Assess mental health
8 - 12 months Health review using Ages and Stages Questionnaire
2 – 2.5 years Health review using Ages and Stages Questionnaire and Integrated Review
4.5 – 5 years Support transition to school
Who Are We? The 0-5 Public Health Visiting Service is made up by a collection of skill mix. Together we work to promote the health and wellbeing for children 0-5 years, their carers, parents and guardians.
We work in partnership to deliver the Healthy Child Programme which is a national Department of Health initiative aimed at promoting health and wellbeing for all children in order for them to reach their full potential. The health visitor supports parents and facilitates access to a range of community services.
Your Health Visiting Service
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Your Community All communities have a range of services provided through children’s centres and other community groups. Health Visitors work to develop these, make sure you know about them, identify need and respond accordingly.
Universal Services Health visitors and their teams provide the Healthy Child Programme to ensure a healthy start for your children and families. This includes: organising and running baby clinics, immunisations, health advice, advice on common infections in childhood, skin problems, developmental health review at home or pre-school setting, support for parents, breastfeeding, weaning, healthy eating, hygiene, safety, exercise and access to a range of community services/resources.
Universal Plus Gives parents a rapid response from health visitor teams when specific expert help is needed for example with postnatal depression, behaviour difficulties, a sleepless baby, temper tantrums or answering any concerns about parenting), bereavement and violence in the family.
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Universal Partnership Plus Provides on going support from health visiting teams plus a range of local services working together and with parents, to deal with more complex issues over a period of time. Working in partnership with families to tailor health plans to their needs. These include services from children’s centres, other community services including charities and, where appropriate, the Family Nurse Partnership.
Confidentiality The 0-5 Public Health Visiting Team provides a completely confidential service. Anything that is discussed will not be shared with anyone else without your permission, unless if it is safeguarding and the welfare of your child is at risk. From time to time we may encourage you to share particular health information with other health professionals, where it is in your child’s best interest.
What do we do? You may first see your health visitor towards the end of your pregnancy. That’s a good time to talk to her about any concerns you have about becoming a mother. After your baby’s birth, your health visitor will visit you at home and the midwife will hand over care for you and your baby to your health visitor. That care will continue until your child is five years old. In your baby’s early months and years, your health visitor will advise you about: your baby’s physical and emotional development. helping your baby learn good sleep habits. healthy eating for you and your baby. coping with minor illnesses. your baby’s immunisations. breastfeeding your baby. any concerns you may have about your health or your partner’s health. Remember: All children and young people should be registered with a doctor. We work closely with GP’s , Social Workers, Speech and Language therapist, Children Centres, Pre-School settings, child minders, nurseries. If you are concerned about the health of your child, come and have a chat with your school nurse.
About Provide Provide is a Community Interest Company (Social Enterprise), which delivers a broad range of health and social care services in the community. A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives. This means any profits we make are reinvested into the local community or back into thebusiness, and do not go to shareholders and owners. We are committed to making sure our services are safe, responsive and of high quality.
Your local service contact details
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Children’s Public Health Service
If you need this leaflet in braille, audio, large print or another language, please contact our Customer Service Team on: 0300 303 9951 / 0300 303 9952 or by email at: provide.customerservices@nhs.net Provide Corporate Offices 900 The Crescent Colchester Business Park Colchester Essex CO4 9YQ
T: 0300 303 9999 F: 0300 003 2816 E: provide.enquiries@nhs.net www.provide.org.uk
PLE-1036-1519-01