- Overview
- Contact us
- ChatHealth
- Pregnancy
- Ages 0-4
- Ages 5-11
- Ages 12-16
- Ages 16-19
- Continence service and 0-19
- Useful resources
- Confidentiality
- SystmOnline pilot - a guide for parents
- Professionals
Type
Children's 0-19 ServicesWe provide the Healthy Child Programme, a planned series of public health interventions for children and families from birth to age 19. Services provided within the Integrated 0-19 Team include Health Visiting, School Nursing, Breastfeeding Support, Family Nurse Partnership and Children’s Weight Management. The programme is delivered through our integrated locality teams.
Our services are orientated around 4 levels of delivery, with families in the greatest need receiving targeted interventions and families with the least need receiving universal services. We follow a public health approach and our central purposes are health promotion; health protection; prevention of ill health or accident and early intervention.
Clinically the services are provided by qualified Health Visitors and School Nurses and supported by Nursery Nurses, Youth Workers, Staff Nurses and Support Staff. We have a dedicated Immunisation Team that supports delivery of our school age immunisation programme and works closely with locality staff to ensure high uptake of the programme.
Who is this service for? Pregnant women, children and young people from the age of 0 to 19.
How to access these services:
We accept referrals from any professional who is working with a child, young person and their families. We use one generic referral form which enables professionals to refer to the 0-19 service in the same way and by the same route. If you would like to discuss referring a child to the 0-19 service please contact the 0-19 Admin Hub for further details on 0800 170 7055.
To refer a child please complete our referral form here please complete the 0-19 Universal Service Referral Form which is accessible by clicking here
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
Contact us
To contact the team or find out any other information call: 0800 170 7055 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
Email: CUSadminhub.nhft@nhs.net
Breastfeeding helpline: 077951 10109 for breastfeeding advice and support (Mon - Fri 9am - 3pm)
ChatHealth: text a school nurse for friendly, helpful advice. This service is designed for 11-19 year olds: 07507 329 600 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
Health visitors facebook: www.facebook.com/Healthvisitors run by local health visitors to bring you the very latest advice and information
0-19 Live Chat - To start 0-19 Live Chat click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
0-19 Live Chat is a new service to help parents and young people access Northamptonshire’s 0-19 service via the central point of contact Admin Hub. You can speak to us live and online Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.
We are a friendly, highly skilled team of administrators working within the 0-19 Admin Hub, we support the 0-19 Service for health visiting and school nurse services.
0-19 Live Chat is for pregnant women, parents, carers and young people wishing to access the 0-19 service. We will try to provide you with the appropriate help, support and information.
Via Live Chat you can book appointments for development appointments and school aged immunisation appointments, change or cancel appointments with the 0-19 service, ask for advice, information or signpost to local resources and services. You can ask general queries regarding the 0-19 service and also request a call back from a duty health visitor or school nurse regarding your child’s health, wellbeing or behaviour
All live chats are secure with end to end encryptions provided by a digital certificate and NHS information governance standards.
You could also discuss any of the above directly with the 0-19 Admin Hub on 0300 1111 022 (option 4)
To start 0-19 Live Chat click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
ChatHealth
Are you 11-19 years old? You can text a school nurse for free, confidential help and advice!
Just text: 07507 329 600 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
We just want to let you know a little bit about confidentiality. Unless you give permission, a School Nurse will not pass on anything you say to anyone else, like parents, teachers, or other students – except in extreme circumstances like if the health, safety or welfare of you or someone else is at significant risk. If we did need to tell someone about something you had told us, we would always try to speak with you first. For our safety and yours we hold information that you tell us on electronic records that can be seen by other healthcare professionals who all follow the same confidentiality rules - this can include your doctor. Records are kept for future use.
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
Pregnancy
Being pregnant and preparing for a new baby can be both exciting and daunting. As soon as you find out you are pregnant you should make an appointment with the midwife at your local GP surgery. Until you are around 7 months pregnant your care will mostly be provided by your GP, midwife or obstetrician. Around the 7th month of your pregnancy a health visitor from the 0-19 team will send you an appointment to visit you at home. The purpose of this visit is to get to know you a little and to help us understand if there is anything we can help you with before your little one arrives. You don’t need to contact us to arrange your home visit, we will contact you.
If there have been any complications of difficulties during your pregnancy the 0-19 team may work alongside other professionals to ensure you, your family and developing baby receive all the services, care and support you need.
If you are under 18 years of age and pregnant you may be eligible for our Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP). Ask your midwife for more details and a referral or contact FNP Northamptonshire on 01604 658830 or Northamptonshire.fnp@nhs.net. For further information on Family Nurse Partnership please visit www.fnp.nhs.uk
There are many choices to make and information you will need to keep you and your baby healthy and safe. Your midwife, health visitor or family nurse can give you all this information, but you may also want to read up for yourself. Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information:
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
Your Pregnancy, Your Health Visitor - flyer [pdf] 568KB
General advice
Northamptonshire Maternity Services
You and your partner
NHS Choices - Pregnancy and your partner
Post natal depression
Emotional changes during pregnancy and following childbirth [pdf] 454KB
Mental health problems and pregnancy
Thinking ahead
Ages 0-4
Whether you have got a new baby, or are preparing for your child to start school, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support, information to help you and your family be as healthy as possible. We offer all children an assessment of their health, growth and development at the following times:
- 10-14 days
- 6-8 weeks
- Around 8 months
- Between 2-2.5 years
You don’t need to contact us to arrange these assessments, we will contact you.
We realise being a parent can be full of challenges and you may need extra help from time to time. Your 0-19 team are here to offer this help when you need it, for example, if your child is ill, having difficulties with feeding, sleeping, toileting and behaviour. We can also help parents/carers with issues such as their own emotional health and parenting.
If you and your family find you are having significant difficulties, for example if your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND), a medical condition, or perhaps there are concerns about the safety of your child, the 0-19 team will be involved in ensuring your child is safe and getting the services and care they need.
We have a team of healthy lifestyle advisors who can help with managing children’s weight and supporting them to have active healthy lives.
If you are under 18 years of age and have a child less than 2 years of age, you may be receiving our Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP). Visit www.fnp.nhs.uk for information about FNP.
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
4 MONTH
UNICEF skin-to-skin contact advice
Lullaby Trust - Safer Sleep Advice
Lullaby Trust - Coping with Sleep Deprivation
Health visitors clinics
Below is a list of our regular clinics, these are drop-in unless they state otherwise. Please click on the name of the clinic you wish to attend to find out more information (mobile users - if you have any issues seeing the details of the clinics please click here). For any enquiries or questions about the clinics, including booking on clinics that require an appointment, call 0800 1707055 Opt 4 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm).
Please note there are additional sessions in Kettering that you can make an appointment at, please phone us to find out more.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO RECENT CHANGES IN LIBRARY OPENING HOURS AND DAYS PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY BEFORE TRAVELLING TO A CLINIC
For regular updates and top tips from the team follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/healthvisitors
For information about Emotional changes during pregnancy and following childbirth please click this link to download our leaflet.
Infant Feeding Support
Breastfeeding is the healthiest and most natural way to feed your baby, but not everyone finds it easy. We are here to support you and help you find what’s best for you and your baby.
- We offer timely and responsive support in the form of breastfeeding support groups.
- Support groups are available across the county, including one in central Northampton, to provide help, information and social opportunities for mothers and mothers-to-be.
- For more complex issues we offer support in the home.
- We also provide training for health professionals, including health visiting staff and staff working in specialist services, community networks and drop-in centres.
- We are working toward achieving Baby Friendly Accreditation, which promotes best practice and evidence-based approaches to supporting parents with feeding and nurturing infants in the early years.
- Our support is available for the whole family. Mums, mums-to-be, partners and siblings are welcome.
Our team, which is made up of senior health visitors and health professionals and led by a lactation consultant, offers friendly, skilled breastfeeding support and information for mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties. This is offered either in the home, a clinic or drop-in setting.
By protecting, supporting and normalising breastfeeding we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of all children in our communities and increase the number of infants who receive breast milk.
For breastfeeding support and information please contact your health visitor or our helpline number below:
07795 110109 ( Mon- Fri 9-3 calls only)
Email: Infantfeeding.team@nhs.net
For specialist breastfeeding help please contact the breastfeeding support team by sending your name, address, email, phone number and baby’s date of birth by telephone or email:
Telephone: 07795 110109
Email: CUSadminhub.nhft@nhs.net
See our top tips for supporting breastfeeding in Northamptonshire:
Breastfeeding - top tips for business [pdf] 515KB
Breastfeeding - top tips for public - poster [pdf] 193KB
National support and information
- National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
- National Childbirth Trust (8am-10pm): 0300 330 0771
- LA Leche League: 0845 120 2918
- Breastfeeding Network: 0300 100 0210
- Supporter Line in Bengali: 0300 456 2421
- Supporter Line in Sylheti: 0300 456 2421
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453
- UNICEF breastfeeding support for parents
For more information, visit the useful information section below.
Breastfeeding Drop in Sessions
- We are currently not able to run any Drop-ins
- We are continuing to run the Daily Infant Feeding Helpline 07795 110109 9-3 ( no texts)
- E mail Infantfeeding.team@NHS.net
- We can also offer video calls
Useful information
Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information.
General Advice
Northamptonshire Maternity Services
NHS Choices - Children's teeth
Northamptonshire County Council - Childcare
Northamptonshire County Council - School Readiness
Advice on Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Safety
Lullaby Trust - Sleeping advice
Feeding your baby
UNICEF breastfeeding support for parents
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Lactation Consultants of Great Britain
Northants Breastfeeding Alliance
UNICEF skin-to-skin contact advice
Introducing solid foods
NHS Choices - Your baby's first solid foods
NHS - Introducing solid foods leaflet
Eating well: A guide to introducing solids and eating well up to baby's first birthday - Leaflet
Sleep
Lullaby Trust - Safer Sleep Advice
Lullaby Trust - Coping with Sleep Deprivation
UNICEF - Caring for your baby at night
Immunisations
NHS Choices - When to have vaccinations
NHS Choices - Children's flu vaccines
Ilnesses
NHS Choices - Infectious illnesses in children
NHS Choices - childhood illness (visual guide)
Dads and partners
NHS Choices - Information for Dads and partners
Other problems
Ages 5-11
Whether your little one has just started school or you are thinking about moving from primary to secondary, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support, information to help you and your family be as healthy as possible. We offer all children the following assessments:
- In reception year you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire, this helps us to know if your child has any health issues that we can support you with.
- In reception year we will do an assessment of your child’s hearing and vision, as well as your child's weight and height, with your consent through return of the health assessment form
- In year 6 there will a further assessment of weight and height (ALL children are seen unless you opt out of the assessment).
- A Flu vaccination is offered to all children in years reception, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. From October 2019 this will be offered to ALL primary aged children.
You don’t need to contact us to arrange these assessments, we will write to you to let you know when they are happening. They will be done in school during normal school hours if your child is attending a school setting. If your child is not attending a school setting you can contact us on 0800 170 7055 opt 4 and we will offer these services to you in a clinic setting.
We realise being a parent can be full of challenges and you may need extra help from time to time. Your 0-19 team are here to offer this help when you need it, for example, if your child is having difficulties with their eating, toileting, behaviour or worries. We can also help parents/carers with issues such as finding support for their own emotional health and parenting.
We have a team of healthy lifestyle advisors who can help with managing children’s weight and supporting them to have active healthy lives.
If you and your family find you are having significant difficulties, for example if your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND), a medical condition, or perhaps there are concerns about the safely of your child, the 0-19 team will be involved in ensuring your child is safe and getting the services and care they need.
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page
General Advice
Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information:
NHS Choices - Children's teeth
NHS Choices - Children's health
Immunisations
NHS Choices - Children's vaccines
Childhood Illnesses
NHS Choices - Infectious childhood illnesses
Ages 12-16
Whether you are a young person, or the parent of a young person, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support and information to help you and your family to be as healthy as possible.
We offer all young people the following:
- A “drop in” session at your secondary school. This is run by a school nurse where you can get confidential advice about any physical, sexual, or mental health concerns.
- In year 8 we offer all girls the HPV (cervical cancer) vaccine.
- In year 9 we offer all young people the Men ACWY for meningitis and 3-in1 teenager booster vaccination (from 2019/20 onwards this will be offered in year 9).
- ChatHealth – this is a text messaging service where you can text a school nurse for confidential advice and support for any health related issue. The text number is 07507329600
You don’t need to contact us to arrange the vaccinations, we will write to you to let you know when they are happening.
They will be done in school during normal school hours if you attend a school setting.
If you do not attend a school setting you can still have all these services, just contact us on 0800 170 7055 Opt 4.
We realise being a teenager can be tough and want to help you in any way we can, for example:
- If you feel low, stressed or worried
- Having problems with relationships
- Want contraceptive advice, including emergency contraception
- Are concerned about your sexual health
- Have questions about your identity
- Having problems going to the toilet
- If you don’t feel safe, either at home, at school or outside of school
- If you are caring for a parent who is ill or disabled
- If you want help with quitting smoking
- Advice about alcohol and drug use
- Want help managing your weight and healthy eating
Any questions? Chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
General Advice
NHS Choices - Teen boys' health
NHS Choices - Teen girls' health
Teenagers concern
NHS Choices - Teenagers and sleep
NHS Choices - Sex and young people
Teenagers as carers
Ages 16-19
Whether you are a young person, or the parent of a young person, the 0-19 team are here to offer you advice, support and information to help you be as healthy as possible. We offer all young people the following:
- A “drop in” session at your secondary school - This is run by a school nurse where you can get confidential advice about any physical, sexual, or mental health concerns
- ChatHealth – this is a text messaging service where you can text a school nurse for confidential advice and support for any health related issue. The text number is 07507329600. You can use this whether you are in school or have now left.
- If you want to speak to us or arrange an appointment but you are no longer in school please contact 0800 170 7055 opt 4.
We realise moving from being a teenager to an adult can be tough and we want to help you in any way we can, for example:
- If you feel depressed, stressed or anxious
- Having problems with relationships
- Want contraceptive advice, including emergency contraception
- Are concerned about your sexual health
- Have questions about your identity
- Having problems going to the toilet
- If you don’t feel safe
- If you are caring for a parent who is ill or disabled
- If you want help with quitting smoking
- Advice about alcohol and drug use
- If you want help managing your weight
If you have any questions you can chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
Below are links to a wide range of websites and online leaflets. These are all based on the most up to date advice and information:
General Advice
NHS Choices - Teen boys' health
NHS Choices - Teen girls' health
Continence service and 0-19
The 0-19 Service are still committed to offer you advice and support regarding your child’s continence needs and will still endeavour to ensure that this support is not jeopardised by COVID-19. In order for us to be able to safely support you and our staff, we have made some changes to the way that we deliver our clinics. We will continue to offer you both initial and review appointments, however these will now take place virtually via Microsoft Teams as we are currently unable to offer face to face contacts in clinic settings. The nurse will be able to complete a thorough assessment of your child’s continence needs and will be able to offer you the advice, or signpost you for treatment/further support if needed. We are continuously thinking of new ways of working through this challenging time and we would be very grateful for any feedback or suggestions that you may have regarding our delivery of continence care.
What is the 0-19 Continence Service?
The Continence Service is a community based service offering advice, support, assessment, treatment and management of bladder and bowel dysfunction (bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling) for children.
Who are we ?
All continence staff are fully qualified nurses within our 0-19 service.
For pre-school children, Health visitors and community Nursery Nurses can also offer advice.
Who can access the service?
This is a service for all children and young people who live within Northamptonshire.
How to make a referral?
If you have any concerns please contact the 0-19 admin hub; 0800 1707055 opt 4 where you will be able to speak to either a school nurse or health visitor, depending on the age of your child.
Here you will be able to discuss your concerns and what support is required. (*Clinic appointments are only offered to school age children)
For school age children if a referral is appropriate you will be sent an initial contact letter offering you some helpful online resources. If you have tried the suggested techniques and still require support, you will be asked to contact the 0-19 admin Hub on; 0800 1707055 opt 4 where you can book an initial assessment appointment at any of the continence clinic’s available locally. This enables you to select the time and location of your appointment.
If you have not made contact with us within 6 weeks of receiving the initial contact letter we will assume you no longer require any support.
How you and your child can prepare for your first appointment?
You will be asked questions about the issues that are affecting your child. To help us with the assessment you could start to think about any patterns or particular issues before your appointment, for example are there any types of drinks that trigger your child’s symptoms, or are there any certain days of the week where their symptoms may improve or worsen?
You can talk to your child and tell them that seeing the continence nurse will not be scary (no needles). You can tell your child that they will be asked a few questions which may feel embarrassing for them to talk about; like wee and poo. However you can reassure your child that there are many other children who have the same worries about their toileting, but obviously this is something other children don’t share and talk about, as they will too feel worried or embarrassed. Likewise parents tend not to share their own child’s continence issues. You must remember we have lots of families referred into this service, so you are NOT alone.
You will be asked to complete charts prior to your appointment to help our staff assess your child. It is important that you complete these charts and bring them with you. The charts help us decide the right treatment for your child. (By these forms not being fully completed will delay further actions moving forward) *Charts can be also found here: Bladder and bowel charting form.docx[docx] 221KB where you can complete and return to cusreferrals.nhft@nhs.net alternatively you can complete the form and take a screen shot on your mobile phone, which you can then show to the school nurse at your clinic appointment.
What happens at the first continence clinic appointment?
An initial assessment appointment should last around 45 mins – 1 hour approx.
You and your child will have the opportunity to talk about your child’s continence issues and how it affects you both. All information is treated sensitively.
The assessment will be completed in order to gain information and understanding of the problem and concerns you have about your child. This will involve asking questions about what is happening currently? What has been tried previously? What has been found to be successful? What has not worked? And what are you hoping from the appointment for your child? You and your child will be asked lots of questions, which you may think are a bit personal.
Questions asked will ensure that a holistic approach to your child’s care is being considered, in which the physical, emotional and social factors are taken into account. For example;
• Family dynamics
• Medical history
• Emotional well-being
Following the assessment an individual management plan will be given to you to help and support you and your child. This will involve you keeping diaries and charts to record information about your child’s toileting behaviour.
If your child symptoms haven’t improved after 6 month, we may decide to refer onto the children’s specialist continence team, who may carry out further investigations, such as a bladder scan. *Prior to your child being referred to the specialist service, a full holistic continence assessment must be completed by the school nurse, and following this, first line advice and treatment will be offered. This will be reviewed in a timely fashion and referral on will be completed if symptoms have not improved despite following all advice given.
There are different ways in which working with you may be carried out. These decisions will be based on individual needs and agreed with you and your child.
We aim to work in partnership with parents/carers and ask for your co-operation in our treatment plans.
What happens next?
The management plan agreed will be reviewed at each appointment you have, in order to assess progress/improvement.
This could be done via a simple telephone appointment between you and your school nurse, or in a clinic suitable for you. The follow up review appointments are usually 30 minutes approx.
What do I do if I am unable to attend the appointment?
It is important to ring and rearrange as soon as possible if you are unable to attend the appointment. Ring the HUB on; 0800 1707055 opt 4
National organisations available for support
Bladder and Bowel UK Offers impartial, unbiased advise about continence products and services. Managed and led by Disabled Living. www.bladderandboweluk. co.uk email: bladderandboweluk@ disabledliving.co.uk Tel: 0161 607 8219
ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence) A national organisation for childhood bedwetting, daytime wetting and soiling issues for children, parents and professionals.
36 Old School House, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DB Tel. 0845 370 8008 www.eric.org.uk
NHS Choices – Constipation in Children
ERIC - The Children's Bowel and Bladder Charity
Team contact
Castle Unit
Isebrook Hospital
Irthlingborough Road
Wellingborough
Northants, NN8 1LP
Telephone: 08001707055 opt 4
Mon-Fri: 08.00am - 5.00pm excluding public holidays
Useful resources
If you have any questions you can chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
Breastfeeding clinics - poster [pdf] 443KB
Breastfeeding - top tips for public - poster [pdf] 193KB
0-19 Live Chat - Flyer [pdf] 495KB
Your Pregnancy, Your Health Visitor - flyer [pdf] 568KB
Head Lice poster - Generic [pdf] 489KB
Resources - other organisations
Essential Parent
A leading resource for expert led parenting advice; this website ranges from conception to teenage years advice.
Headspace Website and App
This website teaches young people about meditation and mindfulness. This can be a valuable coping skill when feeling overwhelmed or unable to control strong thoughts and feelings. Users can sign up for free and take part in guided meditation and mindfulness sessions.
Young Minds - Parents Helpline
This is a confidential service (unless the advisors think the young person is at risk) advisors are available from 9:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. The advisor will listen and give some practical guidance on how to help, if you need further help they’ll refer you to one of our specialists whether it's a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health nurse. They’ll arrange a phone consultation within 7 days.
Calm Harm Website and App
This resource is designed to help young people resist the urge to self-harm, it is free and password protected.
HeadMeds
Website powered by young minds for young people about mental health medication. It has lists of medications, what they are used for and side effects explained without medical terms or jargon.
AskNormen
A website for those interested mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people in Northamptonshire. It contains a search tool and links to a directory of services.
Beat.
BEAT is the UK leading charity for supporting those with Eating Disorders; the website contains lots of useful information about types of eating difficulties as well as support helplines.
Rethink
Rethink is a mental health charity which provides advice and information and a list of available support in your area.
Northampton Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and early help service
If you need support with reporting concerns for a child’s welfare, or you need advice about how to make an appropriate referral.
Public Health England - children vaccinations
An overview on children vacinations and why they matter.
Video resources
Year 6 Video teacher-parent notes and resources[pdf] 159KB
0-19 Emotional wellbeing - Stop: Facts versus Opinions[pdf] 66KB
Action for Happiness and wellbeing - exercise [pdf] 116KB
Chat Health poster [pdf] 123KB
Year 6 Workshop Video letter for schools[docx] 40KB
Confidentiality
We just want to let you know a little bit about confidentiality.
Unless you give permission, the 0-19 team will not pass on anything you say to anyone else. This includes parents, teachers, or similar professionals, unless in extreme circumstances like if the health, safety or welfare of you or your young person or someone else is at significant risk.
If we do need to tell someone about something you had told us, we would always try to speak with you first. For our safety and yours we hold information that you tell us on electronic records that can be seen by other healthcare professionals who all follow the same confidentiality rules - this can include your doctor.
Records are kept for future use.
For more information you can read our privacy notice by clicking here.
If you have any questions you can chat to us now click the orange button on the bottom right-hand side of the page.
SystmOnline pilot - a guide for parents
This information is for parents or carers who have been invited to be part of the SystmOnline pilot.
Please download the SystmOnline Parent and Carer Guidance[pdf] 740KB for a how-to guide on accessing SystmOnline.