Health Visiting Presentation January 2016

Background of a Health Visitor Qualified Nurse or Midwife with experience Additional year training at degree or post graduate level in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

Role of the Health Visitor To assess the health and development of all children from the ages of 0 – 5 years Assessment of Maternal Wellbeing Attachment and attribution Safeguarding of children Development of children 0-5 years looking at Gross motor and fine motor skills, Personal social and emotional development and communication. Parenting advice and support on such issues as Feeding, Behaviour, Sleep, Dental care and socialisation Growth Health issues

Role of the Health Visitor Continued Advice regarding immunisations Prescribing Children with a diagnosis or professional concerns surrounding Developmental Delay Referring onto specialist services such as paediatrician, speech and language therapy, The Multi-Disciplinary Team, asthma and allergy nurse, GP, Social services, audiologist and ophthalmologist. Documentation Work closely with other professionals such as Midwives, Social care, GP’s, Hospitals, Paediatric community nurses, Children's Centres

The Healthy Child Programme Pregnancy and the first five years of life “The HCP is the early intervention and prevention public health programme that lies at the heart of our universal service for children and families at a crucial stage of life, the HCP’s universal reach provides an invaluable opportunity to identify families that are in need of additional support and children who are at risk of poor outcomes”. (Department of Health 2009: p8)

The Healthy Child Programme Health Visitors deliver the Healthy Child Programme Core contacts - Antenatal offer -New baby review days of age -Six week check -Under one year review year check

Activity 1 In groups of four discuss the ways you involve parents in completing the two year old check. 10 minute discussion Feedback The Health Visitor’s two year old check

The Healthy Child Programme and The Two Year Check (2009) “Review with the parents the child’s social, emotional, behavioural and language development with signposting to appropriate group-based parenting support”. “Review development and respond to any concerns expressed by the parents regarding physical health, growth, development, hearing and vision”. Department of Health 2009: p54

Two Year Old Check continued “Offer parents guidance on behaviour management and an opportunity to share concerns”. “Offer parents information on what to do if worried about their child”. “Promote language development through book sharing and invitations to groups for songs, music and interactive activities (e.g Bookstart)”. “Provide encouragement and support to take up early years education”. “Give health information and guidance (telephone helplines, websites, NHS Direct)”. Department of Health 2009: p54

Two Year Check Continued “Review immunisation status, to catch up on any missed immunisations”. “Offer advice and information on nutrition and physical activity for the family, and on healthy eating, portion size and mealtime routines”. “Raise awareness of dental care, accident prevention, sleep management, toilet training, sources of parenting advice”. “Offer information on Family Information Service, Sure Start children’s centres and early years learning provision. Refer families whose first language is not English to English as a second language services”. Department of Health 2009: p54

Two year check continued “Advice about correct use of basic safety equipment and facilitating access to local schemes for the provision of safety equipment”. “The Health Visitor must be alert to risk factors and signs and symptoms of child abuse, and follow local safeguarding procedures where there is cause for concern”.

Two year check continued Dental care “Sugar should not be added to foods”. “As soon as the child’s teeth erupt, parents should brush them twice daily, using only a smear of toothpaste”. “From the age of one year, feeding from a bottle should be discouraged”. “The frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks should be reduced, and, when consumed, limited to mealtimes”. “Sugars should not be consumed more than four times a day”. “Where possible, all medicines given should be sugar-free”. Department of Health 2009: p54 How do you promote good dental health in your setting?

Activity Two Discuss in groups of four how you would support a child of two with communication delays? What strategies would you use? How might you share this information with parents and relevant professionals. Feedback

Activity Three Discuss in groups of four how you would support a two year old displaying challenging behaviours. What strategies would you put in place to support the child within the setting and in the wider family. Feedback

Multi professional working Benefits “early identification of any issues and intervention easier or quicker access to services or expertise” “improved achievement in education and better engagement in education” “better support for parents” “children, young people and family’s needs addressed more appropriately” “better quality services” “reduced need for longer-term or more specialist services”. (NSPCC 2011)

Multi professional working Activity four In pairs list some of the challenges/ barriers you might face when working as part of a multi professional team. How might these be overcome? Feedback

Activity five In groups of four consider how as a leader of early years provision you might promote the health and wellbeing of children.

Questions and feedback

References Healthy Child Programme Pregnancy and the first five years of life, Department of Health, /uploads/attachment_data/file/167998/Health_C hild_Programme.pdf /uploads/attachment_data/file/167998/Health_C hild_Programme.pdf NSPCC areness/Pages/benefits-of-multi-agency- working.aspx areness/Pages/benefits-of-multi-agency- working.aspx