28th August 2026
The Institute of Health Visiting is delighted to publish its recently updated Good Practice Point (GPP), Sleep Support for Children with Additional Needs. Developed in collaboration with Vicki Beevers, CEO of The Sleep Charity, it provides evidence-informed guidance for health visitors and skill mix teams in supporting families where children with additional needs experience sleep difficulties.
Vicki Beevers, CEO The Sleep Charity, said:
“Health visitors play a vital role in supporting families experiencing sleep difficulties. I’m delighted to have contributed to this updated guidance, which combines the latest evidence with practical, compassionate advice to help professionals support children with additional needs and improve the wellbeing of the whole family.”
This refreshed GPP highlights the importance of empathetic listening, recognising the strain that sleep issues place on family wellbeing. It supports practitioners to explore routines, environments, and possible medical causes, using open, non‑judgemental questions and practical tools. Working in partnership with families, practitioners can identify sleep concerns early and provide timely, practical support to meet child and family need in a holistic way.
Amanda Holland, iHV Professional Education, Learning and Development Lead, and co-facilitator of the iHV Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme, commented:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to see this updated Good Practice Point published. Sleep disruptions can lead to parental and carer exhaustion, increased family stress and anxiety, and can negatively affect a child’s health, development, and overall wellbeing. For children with additional needs, sleep disruptions are even more significant, with bedtime resistance and night‑time awakenings occurring in around 80% of cases. This refreshed guidance offers practitioners clear, sensitive, and practical support to help families navigate these challenges with confidence. As part of our wider commitment to strengthening practice, this GPP is an important addition to the well‑established iHV Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme, further supporting practitioners to deliver informed, compassionate, and consistent care for all babies, children and families.”
This GPP forms part of a toolkit of resources aligned to the iHV Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme. It’s also available to iHV members. Its inclusion ensures that practitioners have access to consistent, evidence‑based guidance that supports confident, informed practice when working with families of children with additional needs.
The iHV Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme equips health visitors and skill mix teams to act as advocates for parents with children who may be autistic. The programme builds practitioner knowledge, confidence, and practical skills. After the training, Ambassadors will have access to a toolkit of evidence-informed resources to support sensitive, strengths‑based conversations. Grounded in research and enriched by lived‑experience perspectives, the training develops practitioners’ abilities in early identification, effective communication, and collaborative care planning, enhancing everyday practice and promoting connected, holistic support for families.
Mellissa Mackel – Expert by Experience and Co-Facilitator of the iiHV Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme, added:
“Sleep is a powerful foundation for family life – when children sleep better, everyone feels the difference. The advice and guidance in the Good Practice Points is fantastic for all parents, full of practical ideas that can make everyday routines feel more manageable. As a parent with lived experience, I believe the Changing Conversations training is invaluable, offering real insight, encouragement, and confidence. Learning from professionals and other parent carers helps you feel better equipped to support your child’s needs and celebrate the small wins along the way.”
See here for more information about the iHV Changing Conversations: Autism & Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme and to reserve your place.
Please note that GPPs are available to iHV members only.
The iHV is a self-funding charity – we can only be successful in our mission to strengthen health visiting practice if the health visiting profession and its supporters join us on our journey. We rely on our membership to develop new resources for our members.
If you’re not a member, please join us to get access to all of our resources.
