Transcript The Healthy Child Programme - Health & Education Co

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“The HCP offers every family a programme of
screening tests, immunisations,
developmental reviews, and information and
guidance to support parenting and healthy
choices – all services that children and
families need to receive if they are to achieve
their optimum health and wellbeing” (DH
2009, p.8).
Look at The Healthy Child Programme – pregnancy and the first five years
(Department of Health 2009) and identify the schedule for assessment and
interventions at the following key stages:
 Up to 28 weeks (usually little involvement from HV at this stage)
 After 28 weeks (includes antenatal support from the health visitor).
 Birth to 1 week
 1-6 weeks
 6 weeks to 6 months
 6 months to 1 year
 1-3 years
 3-5 years
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The Healthy Child Programme is based on a
number of core requirements that are required to
improve the health and wellbeing of children and
families:
Identification of Parental/Child Risk Factors
Identification of Protective Factors (e.g family/social
support networks)
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Assessment and effective interventions
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Safeguarding
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Promotes attachment.
Promotes child health, wellbeing and
safety.
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Promotes a reduction in obesity.
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Promotion of immunisation programme.
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Promotes and support for breastfeeding
(initiation/continuation).
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Promotes early recognition of growth
disorders.
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Detection and management of developmental
delay.
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Promotes readiness for school.
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Promotes better outcomes for children at risk
of social exclusion.
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Significant emphasis on importance of effective
parenting and support of parents in their role.
Utilises new knowledge about child development,
especially the developing baby brain (neuroscience)
and the influence that attachment has on physical
development of the brain in early years.
Focuses on facilitating behaviour change to enhance
health and wellbeing in relation to key public health
priorities e.g. healthy eating, physical activity,
smoking, alcohol etc..
Integrated working with partner agencies to
minimise health inequalities, reduce risk factors and
promote health & wellbeing.
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“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” (DH 2009, p.8).
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Great Britain Department of Health (2009)
The Healthy Child Programme – pregnancy
and the first five years of life. London: The
Stationery Office. Accessed at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/gro
ups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/docume
nts/digitalasset/dh_118525.pdf