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