PHE: Child Health Profiles 2017

The 2017 Child Health Profiles, produced by Public Health England (PHE), were released on Tuesday 7 March 2017.

The profiles draw together information to present a picture of the health of children and young people in each local area in a user-friendly format. They provide a snapshot of child .health and wellbeing for each local authority in England using key health indicators which enable comparison locally, regionally and nationally. They are a valuable tool for local government and health services in helping them to understand the needs of their community, so that they can work to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people and reduce health inequalities.

There is a four-page profile for each local authority in England which includes:

An ‘At a glance’ summary description of child health in the area which highlights key findings
Maps and charts showing how the health of the area compares to the national view and other local authorities in England
A ‘spine chart’ health summary showing the difference in health between the area and the England average for 32 indicators within the five domains of the Public Health Outcomes Framework.

Go to PHE 2017 Child Health Profiles

PHE Guidance: Improving the mental health of children and young people

Two new reports to support commissioners in improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

The mental health of children and young people in England

The mental health of children and young people in London

These reports describe the importance of mental health and wellbeing among children and young people and the case for investment in mental health. They also summarise the evidence of what works to improve mental health among children and young people in order to inform local transformation of services.

Launch of Child Health Alliance

We are delighted to share the announcement of the launch of the Child Health Alliance, which brings together key system leaders from children’s health, parents, young people and the voluntary and community sector – and includes iHV executive director, Dr Cheryll Adams CBE.

Child Health Alliance

The Alliance is made possible through funding from the Department of Health and the support of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and is co-chaired by Dame Christine Lenehan, Director of the Council For Disabled Children and Professor Ian Lewis. The Alliance will look at the current state of health services for children and young people in England, develop priorities, and identify key opportunities for improving children and young people’s health and wellbeing outcomes in England.

Whilst the UK has seen vast improvements to child and adolescent health over the last 30 years, a number of alarming statistics show that, comparatively, the UK is performing poorly on several measures of child health and wellbeing compared with other European countries.

Since the final report of the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum, there has been an ongoing process of transformation in the health and social care system. There is a pressing concern amongst the child health community that the key messages from the forum have not been taken into account throughout this process, and the voice of children and young people have not been listened to.

We will keep you updated on the work of the Alliance and hope you will support us in our task of ensuring that child health is a priority for government and health system leaders going forward.

Measuring the wellbeing of children in care in England

Do you work with children in care in England?

If so, would you be interested in taking part in the National Children’s Bureau’s (NCB) research looking at measures of wellbeing for children in care?

The NCB is currently undertaking research on what measures, tools or indicators are used to assess the wellbeing of children in care in England. They’re really interested in finding out more about how such information is collected and used by those working with children in care, which might include foster carers, counsellors or residential home managers.

You can tell them your thoughts and experiences of measuring the wellbeing of children in care by taking part in their ten minute survey: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=146919487933

They are also interested in speaking to managers and practitioners in more detail by telephone. If you would like to volunteer for a short telephone interview, then please contact Rebekah Ryder, Senior Researcher at NCB on [email protected], 020 7833 6811 or submit your details using this form: http://www.ncb.org.uk/measuring-wellbeing-children-care

This research is funded by John Paul Getty Junior Charitable Trust.

Updated Parent Tips

Please share these updated Parent Tips with your parents and families:

Emotional Health and Wellbeing – Mothers

Emotional Health and Wellbeing – Fathers

When your Baby cries during Feeds or has Colic

New and Updated Good Practice Points

The iHV is delighted to share new Good Practice Points and updates to GPPs, providing up-to-date evidence and references for our Associate members:

NEW: GPP – Postnatal Psychosis

These Good Practice Points, authored by Dr Judy Shakespeare, retired GP, Royal College of General
Practitioners Clinical Champion in perinatal mental health, set out what health visitors need to know about Postnatal Psychosis. They provide up-to-date evidence and references.

GPP - Postnatal Psychosis

UPDATED: GPP – Understanding Mothers’ Mental Health & Wellbeing

UPDATED: GPP – Understanding Fathers’ Mental Health & Wellbeing

These Good Practice Points, authored by Sharin Baldwin, Health Visiting Clinical Academic Lead, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, set out what health visitors need to know about Understanding both Mothers’ & Fathers’ Mental Health & Wellbeing during their transition to parenthood. They provide up-to-date evidence and references.

Updated October 2016.

Understanding Mothers’ & Fathers’ Mental Health & Wellbeing

Please note that these 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!

Health and Wellbeing Event in County Durham

A #wellbeing approach networking event took place in Durham last Friday (30 September), as part of County Durham’s Joint Health and Wellbeing strategy – where one of our iHV Fellows, Hilary Earl, secured a stand to promote health visiting as well as the iHV and her local Ready Steady Mums group.

Gill O’Neill, the interim director of public health in County Durham, made the opening remarks at the event that has been 2 years in the planning .

The event also coincided with the Macmillan fundraising week, which was well supported.

“Working together for Wellbeing” cake at County Durham Health and Wellbeing event

Attendees enjoyed several carousel-style workshops – learning about local health initiatives ranging from Health Trainers and Community Parents to Health Visitors and School nursing services.

With the focus on wellbeing, there were energising activities throughout the day for the delegates.

The iHV stand was well visited and the resources were popular. Plus Hilary used the opportunity to promote their local Ready Steady Mums group in Spennymoor.

RSM Spennymoor poster at County Durham Health and Wellbeing event

Hilary commented:

It was fabulous networking and a great example of excellent joint working with our commissoners.

NICE community engagement: improving health and wellbeing meeting

Public registration to observe the committee meeting for community engagement: improving health and wellbeing is now open.

Date: 10:00-16:00 Wednesday 18 May 2016

Location: Manchester

As a public observer, you will be able to listen to the business of the meeting, except where confidential information is being discussed, however, you will not be able to:

participate in committee discussions
ask questions, take part in voting or put your views to members of the committee

To find out more or to register

Registration for this meeting will close on Wednesday 4 May 2016. Please note they are not able to accept late requests to observe this meeting.

For further information about meetings in public please refer to the following document: Common questions and answers about standing advisory committee meetings in public.

Should you have any queries regarding observing this meeting, please contact the Meetings in Public Coordinator, Jon Littler – [email protected]

The 2016 RSPH Health & Wellbeing Awards

The awards recognise and celebrate a wide range of activities, policies and strategies that empower communities and individuals, improve the population’s health and address the wider social determinants of health.
There are six categories representing the breadth and reach of public health projects and programmes:

Arts & Health Award
Community Health Development Award
Healthier Lifestyles Award
Public Mental Health & Wellbeing Award
Technology Health & Innovation Award
Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award

The deadline for returning your completed application form and all supporting evidence is 12pm Tuesday 31 May 2016.

For more details

iHV addresses Westminster Health Forum

Health visiting and the future for the Healthy Child Programme was the subject of a presentation by Dr Cheryll Adams, Executive Director of the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), at today’s Westminster Health Forum – Improving children and young people’s health outcomes: Integration, public health and policy priorities.

Dr Cheryll Adams addressing the Westminster Health Forum

Held in Whitehall, London, delegates met to consider next steps for improving service delivery for children and young people, and the role of NHS England, Clinical Commissioning Groups and local authorities in promoting positive wellbeing.

There was also a discussion on the early impact of new funding for child and adolescent mental health services, and progress made by Public Health England in ensuring every child has the best start in life as one of seven priorities outlined in their five year strategy.