In this section we aim to provide you up to date information on working in partnership with your Local Authority commissioners.
We have produced a series of briefings to help you understand local government working and how to work closer together such as:
- The Economics of health visiting.
- Local authority child public health briefings.
- The “Why a HV?” series of briefings on the 5 mandated visits can be used by Service Leads who are redesigning their service specification with their local commissioners.
Certain documents within this section are for members only. For non health visitors who work in public health related areas, they may join the iHV as Friends to access all our documents. As a charity the iHV relies on its member income to produce such documents.
For Health Visitors/ School Nurses/ Leads

Who is Who in Local Government

Early Intervention

Influencing skills for health visitors
Economics of health visiting
The Economics of health visiting
This important document explains the economics of health visiting: a universal preventative child and family health promotion programme.
This is a member only document. Non health visitors who work in public health related areas may join the iHV as Friends to access all our documents. As a charity the iHV relies on its member income to produce such documents.

Health and Wellbeing Boards

A Model of Health Visiting: 4-5-6

Local Safeguarding Children Boards

PHE 0-19 years pathways

PHE Guidance: Health matters - giving every child the best start in life

PHE: Short version Health Matters - giving every child the best start in life

PHE: Supporting references for early years - giving every child the best start in life

Now is the time for Principle 3 – ‘Influencing policies affecting health’
Why a HV?: 5 mandated visits
These excellent briefings series written by Dr Robert Nettleton, can be used by Service Leads who are redesigning their service specification with their local commissioners.

Why a HV?: Antenatal Visit

Why a HV?: New Birth Visit

Why a HV?: 6-8 week assessment

Why a HV?: one year review

Why a HV?: 2.5 year assessment
For Commissioners
Economics of health visiting
This important document explains the economics of health visiting: a universal preventative child and family health promotion programme.

Economics of health visiting (November 2016)
LGA - Improving outcomes for children and families in the early years: a key role for health visiting services
In 2015 health visiting was brought into the local government fold for the first time since 1974.
As with so much of public health, the move into local government offers fresh opportunities. By integrating health visiting with other services, such as children’s centres, early help, safeguarding and public health teams, we can provide better support to children and their families.
These case studies demonstrate examples of innovation. But there have also been challenges. Concerns have been raised that in some areas health visitor posts are being cut as a consequence of the reductions to local government funding.
The cuts to local authority public health budgets make it more important than ever for health visitors and commissioners to work together to monitor and evaluate the impact of the service.
MECSH programme

Statement on MECSH programme in response to EIF report - July 2016

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (1): The Health Visiting contribution to Preventative Work

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (2): The Health Visiting contribution to early help and prevention of child abuse and neglect

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (3):The Health Visiting contribution to children's mental health

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (4): The Health Visiting contribution to children's readiness for school

Local Authority Child Public health Briefing (5): The Health Visiting contribution to family stability

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (6): The Health Visiting contribution to maternal (perinatal) mental health

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (7): The Health Visiting contribution to working with fathers

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (8): The Health Visiting skill mix teams

Local Authority Child Public Health Briefing (9): The role of the health visitor in reducing childhood accidents

PHE Guidance: Health matters - giving every child the best start in life

PHE: Short version Health Matters - giving every child the best start in life

PHE: Supporting references for early years - giving every child the best start in life
This publication provides guidance to help local commissioners protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The document is jointly branded by Public Health England and Unicef UK
Commissioning Tools
PHE Guidance - Best start in life: cost-effective commissioning
A tool to help local commissioners provide cost-effective interventions for children aged up to 5 and pregnant women.
PHE Guidance: Healthy child programme 0 to 19: health visitor and school nurse commissioning
This service specification is for local authorities commissioning health visitors and school nurses, for public health services for children aged 0 to 19.
PHE Guidance for employers - Supporting the public health nursing workforce: health visitors and school nurses delivering public health for children and young people (0-19)
This guidance is for all employers of health visiting and school nursing teams to help support recruitment and retention of health visitors and school nurses, to sustain the quality and consistency of local services.
PHE Guidance: The Prioritisation Framework: making the most of your budget
A flexible tool to support local authorities make transparent, evidence-based spending decisions across public health programmes.
PHE Guidance: National child measurement programme operational guidance
Guidance for local commissioners, providers and schools on running the national child measurement programme (NCMP).
Workforce development
The Calderdale Framework (CF) provides a clear and systematic method of reviewing skill mix and roles within a service to ensure quality and safety for patients. It is wholly transferable to any health or social care setting, and enables patient focused development of new roles and new ways of working, leading to improved efficiency in utilisation of roles.
Videos and Presentations
Health Visiting Service: Key points Local Authorities
Watch a video of Dame Sarah Cowley on the value of a Health Visiting Service: Key points Local Authorities need to know.
Overview of the 6 High Impact Areas
Watch a video of Professor Viv Bennett providing an overview of the 6 high impact areas and how health visitors can use them to explain the importance of their role to local authority commissioners.
Influencing for public health improvement
How to use the PREview Tool to influence Health Visiting Practice
This free webinar was created for health visitors to explain how the PHE PREview Tool can be used to influence their practice.
Influencing your JSNA
How health visitors can influence their JSNA
This new free webinar, created for health visitors, explains the purpose and function of a local Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and how it relates to the local Health and Wellbeing Board and Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
It offers suggestions as to what information health visitors can provide to inform their local JSNA.