Health Visiting and School Nursing Teams

All children and families are entitled to a universal service and support from a health visitor and a school nurse. This is a free service which is provided by the NHS. The level of support offered is assessed on each individual family's health, development and social needs.

When a woman is pregnant, or a child under 5 is adopted, you will be allocated a health visitor. All children between the ages of 5 years and 19 are eligible for support from their school nurse. The school nurse can also provide some services for those children who are educated out of school. The teams work with families and other agencies to support children and their families to be healthy. 

Following an assessment, it may be identified that some babies and children need extra support. The health visitor or school nurse will work with the family to decide which type of professional is the best to provide that support.

You will be provided with health information and guidance to support all areas of parenting and promote healthy choices.

The teams can:

• offer support around the early days and months of becoming a parent such as infant feeding, sleep, weaning, and baby development.
• offer support as your baby grows and develops into childhood with support around toilet training, speech and behaviour, and other aspects of development.
• provide early intervention support to those children, young people and families where there are identified additional health needs and SEND.

You can find more information about the 0-19 Service on the their website. 

Contact us on our single point of access telephone number: 0191 2823319