24th May 2024
We are delighted to announce the launch of 2 new Good Practice Points (GPPs) focusing on gross motor development of babies and children under 5 years, and the role of health visiting. Amanda Holland, iHV’s Professional Services Lead, led the project to develop these evidence-based resources in collaboration with Philippa Gaunt – Paediatric Registrar, Health Education England, North East, Yasmin De Alwis – Consultant Neurodisability Paediatrician, Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation, and Kate Philipps – parent with experience, Lecturer and Professional Lead for Nursing, University of Leeds. We would like to thank all authors for their expertise and contribution towards developing these evidence-based resources. In addition we also acknowledge the contributions of Dr Karen Wood – Paediatric Registrar, Health Education England North East, Helen Rowland and Alison Mason, Paediatric Physiotherapists, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
These Good Practice Points complement our popular iHV Insights Event on Gross Motor Development that took place on 29 February 2024. Members can view the recording of the event and access the supporting resources via our website.
Supporting and encouraging child development in the early years is crucial to laying strong foundations upon which babies can develop and progress through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Through their universal reach, health visitors and health visiting skill mix teams are ideally placed and play a crucial role in supporting families with their children’s development and identifying early development ‘red flags’.
The role of health visiting in supporting gross motor development in babies and children under 5 years: Part 1, discusses child development and shares good practice points to support the everyday role of health visiting in surveillance, screening and evaluation of child development, and connecting families to other support services.
Part 2, focuses on summarising aspects of typical gross motor development at particular milestones, with ‘red flags’ that require urgent follow up and assessment following local pathways. Action to take if a ‘red flag’ is identified is highlighted along with important points to include when making referrals to other healthcare professionals and teams.
Access the Good Practice Points here:
Amanda Holland, iHV Professional Services Lead:
Amanda Holland, iHV Professional Services Lead
“As a member-led organisation we listen carefully to our members, we value their views and suggestions on how best we can meet their needs and support their everyday health visiting practice. Members told us that they required up-to-date evidence-based resources to support their professional development relating to their universal role of surveillance and recognising children who may be at risk of developmental delay. These resources have been co-developed in partnership with experts in this topic and succinctly summarise good practice points to support practitioners in their roles of working in partnership with families, observing and assessing gross motor development, and facilitating health enhancing activities to enable the best possible outcomes for babies and children. It’s been a privilege to lead this project and work collaboratively with experts to develop these robust resources.”
Philippa Gaunt, Paediatric Registrar, Health Education England North East:
Philippa Gaunt Paediatric Registrar, Health Education England North East
“It’s been a pleasure to work with the team on developing these Good Practice Points. Health visitors are very important members of our multi-disciplinary team, and earlier detection of developmental delay is crucial in ensuring appropriate further assessments are conducted. Therefore, I hope the guidance created is helpful and will encourage ongoing positive working relationships between health visitors and medical professionals.”
Dr Yasmin DeAlwis, Consultant Neurodisability Paediatrician, Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation:
Dr Yasmin DeAlwis, Consultant Neurodisability Paediatrician, Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation
“As a neurodisability paediatrician, I routinely come across children who have had a late identification of their developmental disorder. The first 1000 days are critical to a child’s brain development. Early identification of gross motor delay would mean that early intervention could be implemented to increase chances of improvement in function. Health visitors are uniquely placed and crucial to early identification, and I hope the GPPs on gross motor development would help in this endeavour.”
Kate Phillips, Lecturer and Professional Lead for Nursing, University of Leeds and parent with experience:
Kate Phillips, Lecturer and Professional Lead for Nursing, University of Leeds and parent with experience
“I have felt privileged to have had the opportunity to share my experiences and advocate for parents and be part of the iHV Insights Event discussing gross motor development in babies and young children. These Good Practice Points will be invaluable for professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in the physical developmental assessment of babies and children, and in sharing strategies to better support parents and families.”
Please note that GPPs are available to iHV members only.
If you’re not a member, please join us to get access to all of our resources.
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.
So do join us now!
