1
Testimonies from Parentson the transformed
Health Visitor Services
As part of the Week of Action on Helping Families
and Giving Children the Best Start to Life#PHPCYPWeek
Parents told us what they wanted
A community that supports children and families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy start. To know our health visitor and how to contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to develop services and making sure you know what is available
Universal
Making sure you and your family receive the healthy
child programme including your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing health and parenting
advice when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response and a range of services if you
have a problem for example post natal depression or
child who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside others such as you local
Sure Start Children Centre on tackling problems and
supporting you to give you child the best start
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“ The Health Visiting Staff are always available to help and
answer questions I have whether it is at the playgroup, healthy
child drop in or over the phone. They are all friendly and
approachable. They always put on fun activities at playgroups and they are very supportive”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“With my health visitor’s encouragement and input, we set up a support group for parents of allergic children. She managed to
secure us a weekly room in a children’s centre and attended
the meeting where possible to be on hand to answer parents’
questions.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
‘I try to cook more from scratch and I walk a lot more often than
before with plans to go swimming with my baby when the weather
gets better’
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“I did not have a good experience of being parented myself and she [my health visitor] stepped in to
teach and encourage me whenever I was unsure of
something. Looking back, I can now see that she was constantly tapping away at my insecurities
around parenting my own children without me even
realising!”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“She is direct, professional, yet can be rather empathetic. She does not take over the duties a mother does but advices in a non-judgemental way. She does not patronise even though she speaks her mind. The way she communicates is to the
point, confident and attentive. She does what she says she is going to do. She has always been available
when I have needed her assistance and support coming to various
meetings. ….She also knows when it is time to take a step back and let a
family get on with life. “
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“I was terrified and alone. The support I received made me
believe someone cared and made me feel safe. I know I can now be
a good mother.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“From the first day I knew her she has improved my life. She gave
me confidence to try and achieve things I thought I could never do.
She is professional at all times while making you feel that you
are a true friend. ”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“Watching him grow on a weekly basis was amazing and with each little step changed my view of my son slowly but surely. My health
visitor would gently guide and explain what was going on and
how speaking to him about anything and everything would help his development. Without
this one to one time spent showing me indicators, and
literally showing me how to be a mother I hate to think where me
and my son would be now.. ”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“She was extremely proactive and practical. I remember on one occasion a couple weeks after given birth to my daughter I shared my anxieties about
giving my daughter her first proper bath. She immediately was keen to
support me with this and she was there to help me with my first proper bathing experience as a first time Mom…. She has also been attentive and confident in being able to sign post me to any
specific groups/information I may need or in regards to my own daughter
getting referred to physiotherapy to make sure her health and development would be dealt with to an exceptionally
high standard.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“Her drive, energy, knowledge and support inspires me to push myself and, in a sense, the kids, to celebrate and live life to the
max.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“It is no exaggeration to say that the outcome my children find
themselves in now is significantly improved thanks mainly to my health visitor’s involvement.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“In my view, she is the definitive practitioner, enthusiastic coach and
leader, ambassador and role model for Health Visitors with thorough
commitment to high quality practice and thoughtful interpretation of her
role in the wider sense to consistently support appropriate outcomes for
children, families and communities. I recall an early encounter in the special baby unit … when she discussed with
me in an empathetic, upbeat and optimistic manner, the options for me
to care for my children. Little did I realise at the time the industrious
activity she had also initiated in the background, contacting and enthusing
others to help me.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“My Health Visitor was fantastic when I was really ill with PND -she would repeatedly visit me
and check on me as she was sure I wasn`t 100%. She carried on
visiting me at home until I felt I was feeling well enough, even
though I know they have a huge case load”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“My health visitor listened to me seriously, never judged me and
made me feel like I wasn’t alone, but most important she made the
referral to the mental health team for the help I needed and also gave me the confidence to talk to my GP for medication.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“With my health visitor’s guidance, we learnt to manage our son’s condition as best we could and she was always on hand during each crisis. We
nicknamed her our ‘fairy godmother’ as we all felt that we couldn’t have coped without her.“
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“In particular she has worked with my son’s key worker at school and his speech and
language therapist, who with her encouragement, have provided
us with enhanced support or new services to help in my family’s progress and development.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“Their (health visitor’s) most valuable skill is they have listened well enough to meet his differing needs and adapted their advice
and guided me to the right agencies so he can develop to his
full potential”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“After open heart surgery at 5 days old, he was allowed home 3
weeks later on medication and with a feeding tube and I really appreciated the health visitor’s
direct approach and getting other people involved to help with his
progress”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
Parents told us what they wanted
This is the service we developed as a response
A community that supports children and
families
Services that give our baby/child a healthy
start. To know our health visitor and how to
contact them
A quick response if we have a problem and to be given expert advice
and support by the right person
To have the right people to help over a longer term when things are
really difficult. To know those people and that
they will work together and with us
Your Community
Working with local people to
develop services and making
sure you know what is
available
Universal
Making sure you and your
family receive the healthy
child programme including
your baby/child’s checks and
immunisations and providing
health and parenting advice
when you need it
Universal Plus
Providing a rapid response
and a range of services if you
have a problem for example
post natal depression or child
who doesn’t sleep
Universal Partnership Plus
By working with you alongside
others such as you local Sure
Start Children Centre on
tackling problems and
supporting you to give you
child the best start
“My daughter was in care for 16 months of her life but, as I still have
parental responsibility, my health visitor still managed to keep me
involved. She was also intuitive enough to realise that during the time I was
with my daughter and ex-partner, I was in a very volatile relationship. She
increased her visits to make sure I was coping mentally and physically. She has
been on a long journey with me and she has always believed that I am a
good person and a good mother. Whenever I put myself down she was
quick to tell me that was not the viewpoint of others. I have my
daughter back with me –full time and she remained supportive yet
professional by making me know what my rights were.”
This is what parents are now saying about their health visitors and the
difference being made to their lives
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