Healthy Family Teams

The antenatal is a universal contact offered to all parents to be. It will take place by the Health Visiting service from 28 weeks gestation to birth. This appointment may be offered within the family home, health care setting or by telephone.

We will work with the midwife to support you and look after your health needs until the birth of your baby. As registered nurses with a specialist qualification we are in a unique position to build a therapeutic relationship, assess the family situation and work in partnership to provide the most appropriate care requirements.

This will promote the health, wellbeing and safety of mother, baby, and family. Pregnancy and the first years of life are one of the most important stages in the life cycle. This is when the foundations of future health and wellbeing are laid down, and is a time when parents are particularly receptive to learning and making changes.

There is good evidence that the outcomes for both children and adults are strongly influenced by the factors that operate during pregnancy and the first years of life. New information about neurological development, the impact of stress in pregnancy, and further recognition of the importance of attachment, all make early intervention and prevention imperative in establishing the foundations of good health. 

---

The birth visit is a universal contact offered to all parents. It will take place between 10-14 days from birth and within the family home. We will take over the role of a midwife and look after your child’s health needs until your child is 19.

As registered nurses with a specialist qualification we are in a unique position to build a therapeutic relationship, assess infant growth and development, and assess the family situation in order to work in partnership to provide the most appropriate care requirements. This will promote the health, wellbeing and safety of mother, baby and family.

In order to achieve to this, we will complete a physical examination of the baby including the newborn observation. This links to how your baby communicates with you and how you can respond which promotes sensitive parenting. We will weigh and measure your baby and provide information on feeding using the baby friendly initiative, supporting breastfeeding with a tailor-made plan to meet your needs.

We will assess your eligibility for healthy start vouchers and vitamins. In addition, we will provide you with support and information on child development including baby brain development, social baby and appropriate play and stimulation promoting closeness, as well as sensitive and attuned parenting.

We assess mum’s physical and emotional health to promote emotional attachment, giving her time to reflect on the delivery and the change in her new role as a parent, transition into parenthood and those early weeks.

We will go through the red book (parents held record) and discuss this with you. the Health Visitor will provide information via our digital platform (RECAP), including accident prevention including safe sleep, pet and home safety. 

---

The 6-8 week baby review is a universal contact offered to all parents. It will take place between 6-8 weeks at a health clinic setting. The purpose of this visit is to ensure the baby’s development is age appropriate and explore mum’s maternal mental health. As registered nurses with a specialist qualification we are in a unique position to build a therapeutic relationship, assess infant growth and development and assess the family situation in order to work in partnership to provide the most appropriate care requirements. This will promote the health, wellbeing and safety of mother, baby and family.

---

The 8-12 Month Development Review is a universal contact offered to all parents. The purpose of this visit is to ensure the baby’s development is age appropriate and address any concerns that may be raised by mum. It will take place after your baby reaches 8 months old and an appointment invite will be sent to you. This will usually take place in a health care or clinical setting but in special circumstances it may be requested take place at home. You will also be sent a questionnaire to complete and bring with you to the appointment for review.

During this appointment we will weigh your child, obtain their length, and head measurement. We will observe on how your baby communicates with you and explore their speech development. There will be a review of feeding and weaning, discuss any related concerns and provide management strategies for these. Advice about oral health and you will be provided with a dental pack. 

Discussion related to routine immunisations, home safety, sun safety, including family dynamics. Sleep routines and behaviour management will also be explored at this contact. Advice on additional support partners or referrals will take place along with Healthy Start Voucher scheme assessment. 

---

The 2 Year Review will take place in a health centre or other appropriate setting by a practitioner within the Healthy Family Team. This is an opportunity to review your child's social, emotional, behavioural and language development. Any signposting to appropriate support groups as requested or advised will take place. 

---