Health visiting

We help families with children up to the age of 5 with all aspects of bringing up a child. Our support begins from pregnancy (30 weeks) to preparing your child for school.

We offer the same services to all families with children under school age, with more targeted and tailored support for those who need it. We work with parents who are pregnant or who already have children under 5 years old in the household.

We advise you on how to:

take care of yourself and your family
encourage your child to develop and grow
keep your child safe.

Who we are

We’re a team of health visitors who are qualified nurses with a specialism in child health, public health and health promotions. We also have a community staff nurse and a community nursery nurse, who will advise you about all aspects of baby and child management and behaviour.

What to expect

We’ll visit your family up until your child starts school. During each visit, your health visitor records aspects of your child’s development in your personal child health record book (your red book)

They’ll also support you with any concerns about your own health or your family’s health.

Find out more below about what support to expect during each stage of your child’s development.

When we visit you and your child

Our first visit takes place in your home 10 to 14 days after the birth of your baby. We then do a routine follow up between 6 and 8 weeks.

Your child will then have annual health reviews when they’re aged:

10 to 12 months (1 year review)
24 to 30 months (2 year review)

Support and visits

Pregnancy to 6 weeks old

We work with midwives and GPs, so you may meet us before you have your baby. You can see us in a variety of settings including your home, child health clinics and family centres.

Transition to parenthood (formerly called antenatal classes)

If you’re having your first baby and live in Buckinghamshire, the midwife will invite you to 3 antenatal classes during the final trimester of your pregnancy (from 30 weeks).

These classes, run by midwives and health visitors, will help prepare you for labour and childbirth, including pain relief options, how to feed your baby and bringing your baby home.

Antenatal visits

A health visitor will contact you between 28 and 34 weeks of your pregnancy to provide information, support for health promotion, including breastfeeding. This is to find out how the health visiting team can help you and talk through any questions you may have.

First visit to you and your new baby

Your health visitor will make an appointment to visit you and your baby at home. The visit will last about an hour. It’s an opportunity for you to talk about your experiences and day to day care of your baby including feeding.

If you need extra support, we can arrange further home visits. We’ll encourage you to bring your baby to a local child health drop-in session.

Child health drop-in sessions

These sessions are an opportunity to meet other parents and talk to healthcare professionals. You do not need an appointment.

There are self-weigh stations available for you to use and guidance in your red book about how often you should monitor your baby’s weight.

Please do not come to a session if your child’s unwell, has a temperature, or has had diarrhoea or vomiting in the 48 hours before the session.

Call your GP, health visitor or 111 for advice.

6 weeks to 1 year

During this stage of your child’s development, you can expect to visit your GP for a routine check, have a follow-up with your health visitor and be offered vaccinations for your baby.

Getting to know your baby group (formerly known as postnatal group)

If this is your first baby, we’ll invite you to join a group of your choice usually held at the Children’s Centre. We’ll tell you about the groups during your new birth visit.

The group meets for a series of 4 weekly sessions lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours. Our community nursery nurse covers topics such as crying/sleep, feeding/introduction to solids, dental health, safety and play development.

It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and feel supported.

Your 6 to 8 week visit

We’ll do a routine follow-up home visit to find out about your health and wellbeing, as well as your baby’s. It’s an opportunity to discuss how you’re feeling, coping and any concerns you have. You can speak to us in confidence and we can provide further support if needed.

Your child’s first annual health review (10 to 12 months)

We’ll send you a letter asking you to make an appointment so that we can check your baby’s progress and development.

We’ll then send you a questionnaire to complete which we’ll ask you to bring to your appointment along with your red book. Your appointment will include a developmental assessment with a member of our team. This will be an opportunity for you to observe your baby’s development and ask any questions.

Child drop-in sessions

You don’t need an appointment to attend a child health drop-in.

You can talk to our team about any concerns you may have. They may put you in touch with another member of the team who can help with specific support, for example, breastfeeding, sleeping or behaviour. You’ll also be able to self-weigh your baby.

See your red book for where to find your nearest drop-in. You can also contact your health visitor team.

Please do not come to a session if your child’s unwell, has a temperature, or has had diarrhoea or vomiting in the 48 hours before the session.

Call your GP, health visitor or 111 for advice.

1 to 2 years

This can be a challenging time for parents, as your child starts to explore and discover their world. We continue to offer you advice, support and information on the phone, at a drop in clinic or at home.

Vaccinations

We’ll invite you and your child for vaccinations at the GP surgery at around 12 months. You can find out more about when to have your child’s vaccinations or see your red book for details.

Your child’s second annual health review (1 to 2 years)

We’ll send you a letter asking you to make an appointment so that we can check your baby’s progress and development.

We’ll then send you a questionnaire to complete which we’ll ask you to bring to your appointment along with your red book. This is a health review and is separate from an educational review. We can help to identify any early concerns so that we can offer appropriate referrals and early interventions.

Behaviour advice

We can offer help and advice with managing behaviour including:

fussy eating
toilet training
sleep problems
tantrums.

Pre school health checks and vaccinations

We provide advice and support before your child starts school.

Pre-school booster vaccinations

At age 3, your child will be invited for their 4 in-1 pre-school booster vaccination which protects against:

diphtheria
tetanus
whooping cough
polio.

Behaviour support

A health visitor can provide extra support to you and your family if you have any concerns about your child’s development or behaviour.

Our community nursery nurses can help with issues including:

challenging behaviour
toilet training
sleep problems
fussy eating.

Developmental concerns

A health visitor can assess your child’s development including speech and communication if you have any concerns. We can make appropriate referrals if needed.

Preparing your child for school

Our school readiness team will help prepare your child to start school so that they (and you) can look forward to a healthy, happy school life right from the first day.

Find out more about our school readiness team

Children or families with extra needs

Your health visitor will contact the school nursing team, in discussion with you, to ensure that you and your child continue to get appropriate help and support.

Our community nursing team for children with learning disabilities also support children, young people and families in Bucks.

How to access our services

Find your local health visitor’s contact details depending on where you live.

If you’re registered with a GP, you can find your local health visitor from the geographical areas below. Find your area and your health visitor’s contact number below.

Aylesbury area (East team and West team)