Children and Family Services

Child having height measured by nurse

About the service

Hampshire Healthy Families was launched in 2020 as a partnership between the Trust and Barnardos. The service is commissioned to support families, parents and carers of children aged from 0-19 years old and to deliver the Healthy Child Programme across Hampshire. This is done by providing access to Health Visitors and School Nurses as well as other services and regular courses to help support child development. You can find out more about our services below, as well as visiting the Hampshire Health Families website for the latest advice, guidance and support for children aged 0-19.

What we do

The Trust's Children and Family Services are split into specialist teams that focus on everything from vaccinations to healthy living advice. Take a look below for more information.

Health visitors are all nurses or midwives who have completed additional training in public health, which includes child development. Health visitors lead the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. This national programme consists of a series of developmental reviews, screening tests, vaccinations and information to support parents. Click here to find your local health visiting service. 

You can also get support and advice from a Health Visitor by texting our ChatHealth service below. 

Due to an increased number of missed appointments for health reviews, the 0-19 service are encouraging anyone with an appointment to attend, or to contact the team to rearrange if needed.

The School-Age Immunisation Service offers vaccinations to children (aged 4-16) across all Hampshire schools and children who are home educated. The team also work closely with teachers, school nurses and other health professionals to ensure young people receive their vaccinations at the right time. Visit the School Age Immunisations website for more information. 

The School Nursing service works in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that pupil’s health needs are supported within their school and their community. This includes those attending a school within Hampshire and those that are home educated (except Southampton and Portsmouth city schools).

Parents and young people can also get support and advice by texting our ChatHealth service below. 

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a voluntary programme usually offered to first time young parents aged 19 or under.

We know from research that a healthy pregnancy gives babies the best possible start in life. The relationship parents have with their babies right from the start is crucial for their future health and happiness.

Our family nurses' will provide you with information and support you to make decisions which:

  • Increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy

  • Help manage labour          

  • Improve your child's development

  • Build a positive relationship with your baby and others

  • Help you plan for the future

  • Enable you to make lifestyle choices that will give your child the best possible start in life

  • Enable you to achieve your aspirations (such as finding a job or returning to education)

Research also shows that parents who take part in this programme are more likely to achieve what they want for themselves and their children.

What's involved?

Your family nurse will visit you every one or two weeks from the start of pregnancy until your child is at least one year. Home visits usually last about an hour.

You will share different ideas at each visit with your family nurse and decide together what topics to talk about. Your family nurse will help you develop new skills and make plans for a healthy, happy future for you and your baby.

Contact the Family Nurse Partnership 

Email: fnpshft@southernhealth.nhs.uk

Tel:  0300 003 0338 

 

CHIS are responsible for all child health information records for children across Hampshire. The team also help to deliver information to parents around the time their child needs to be vaccinated.

You can find out more about the age they are given and the vaccinations required on the Child Health Information Service  website. 

ChatHealth 0-5

ChatHealth 0-5 is a text messaging service set up to support parents, carers and families of under 5’s in Hampshire. 

The service is run by local health visitors who have a wealth of experience of working with mums and dads-to-be, babies, toddlers and young children. 

The Health Visiting Team are able to support with questions from parents, carers and families relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including crying babies, infant feeding, starting baby on solid foods, sleep and behaviour problems. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. 

How to use it: Text the dedicated number 07520 615720.

Chathealth 11-19

The ChatHealth text service is an easy way for young people 11-19 to confidentially ask for help with a range of issues. The service is manned by qualified school nurses who have a wealth of experience of working with young people.

ChatHealth allows young people in Hampshire to text messages to a dedicated number 07507 332160; the messages are then delivered to a secure website. Once received, the school nurse will respond to the text within one working day.

ChatHealth is available Monday to Friday from 9am-4.30pm (excluding bank holidays). Any young person who texts the service outside of these hours will receive an automated message with advice of where to get help if their question is urgent.

The School Nursing Team are able to support young people with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including self-harm, relationships, bullying, weight, anxiety, drugs, smoking, stress, body worries, alcohol and sexual health. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support.   

Young people are still able to request to see a School Nurse face to face in school or a community setting.

How to use the service: Text the dedicated number 07507 332160

ChatHealth offers a simple, convenient & confidential text messaging service for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19.

The ChatHealth advisor team is made up of school nurses working within Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. These nurses all have extensive experience of working with and supporting parents of children and young people.

ChatHealth allows parents in Hampshire to text messages to a dedicated number 07507 332417; the messages are then delivered to a secure website. Once received, the school nurse will respond to the text within one working day.

ChatHealth is available 9 am - 4.30 pm on Monday to Thursday and 9 am - 4 pm on Fridays (excluding bank holidays). Any parent who texts the service outside of these hours will receive an automated message with advice of where to get help if their question is urgent.

The Team are able to can support parents with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including healthy lifestyles, toileting, behaviour, sleep, emotional wellbeing and health conditions. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. 

Parents are still able to request to see a School Nurse face to face in school or receive support via a telephone call (with exception of private schools).

The Children in Care service works in close partnership with children, young people, their carers and local authorities to ensure that children and young people’s health needs are supported whilst they remain in care and as care leavers.

If you live in care and away from home, you may want to speak confidentially to someone about your worries. The Children in Care Team can listen and help you to get further help and support.

What does the service provide? 

  • Health assessments
  • Health advice and information for Children in Care
  • Support for children in care to attend health appointments

The team can also arranage for referals into other services such as; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Sexual health clinics, GP services and stop smoking services .

If you would like to speak to the Children in Care team, please call them on 02382 310475  or email admin-childrenincare@southernhealth.nhs.uk

If you would like to read more about our integrated health and wellbeing service at Swanwick Lodge Children's Home in Southampton, click here.

You can also read these documents: Promoting the wellbeing of looked after children and Looked after children: roles and competencies of healthcare staff.

Celebrating NHS 75 

Darren, 0-19 Health Visiting Area Manager, started his NHS career in 2007, and tells us about his inspring 16-year journey, to mark the 75th birthday of the National Health Service. 

This year Darren has been nominated for a Star Award, Southern Health's annual recognition ceremony.

Why did you choose to work in the NHS?

I was drawn to working in the NHS after volunteering with a children’s charity, where I met two inspirational nurses. I saw the difference they made, and I wanted to do that for my local community.

I started in the NHS as a nursing assistant and began my nurse training in the west country. Throughout this early part of my career, I worked in community hospitals and out in people’s homes. It gave me a real insight into people’s health, and the support they needed to have a quality of life.

I will always remember my first mentor as a student nurse, who has always been my role model. I know that if I can be like her in any way, then I will be the best nurse I can be.

Throughout my career, I have had the chance to develop and learn in varied roles in nursing, community, acute, sexual health, neonatal, genetics, immunisations, and health visiting.

In my current role, I enjoy supporting and developing staff in the ever-challenging situation the NHS is in to live true to its values with high quality care at the forefront.

I have worked with dedicated, compassionate, and kind NHS staff in all the varied roles that make up the organisation, whose common theme throughout is to give our patients, clients, and families the best care.

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in the NHS?

The NHS is an inclusive organisation with lots of opportunities to learn and develop. If you want to feel you make a difference in people’s lives every day, this the organisation for you!

How would you describe the NHS in one word?

National Treasure

How to find us

Children’s Management Office, Tom Rudd Unit, Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, Hants, SO30 3JB

Further information

Visit the Hampshire Healthy Families website for the latest advice, guidance and support for children aged 0-19
www.hampshirehealthyfamilies.org.uk

Visit This May Help (a website with advice for supporting your child’s mental health)

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